2023 USHJA 1.00/1.05m Child/Adult Zone 3 and 4 Jumper Championship Crown Winners at Tryon

Mill Spring, N.C.—July 18, 2023—One of the first USHJA 1.00/1.05m Child/Adult Zone Jumper Championships took to the Tryon International Equestrian Center, July 11-16 for Zone 3 and 4 competitors. Riders from both Zones gathered gold medals atop the podium while Chefs d'Equipe Gail Thompson from Zone 3 and Megan Thiel of Zone 4 oversaw the competition.

New in 2023, these championships provide 1.00/1.05m competitors with a stepping stone to gain experience at higher levels of competition and provide a chance to earn Zone Horse of the Year points. Created to emulate the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships and Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships, riders compete over three days as an individual and on a team to represent their Zone.

"I'm really happy that at this level and was really excited for the championship," said Emily Griset of Waxhall, North Carolina, who rode on the winning Adult Team. "It is awesome that we are given this opportunity to compete at these kinds of shows and in the team environment at this level."

Team Medalists

"Coming and being here was a big accomplishment for me," said Gold Team Children's Medalist Farah, from Coconut Creek, Florida. "This is a big moment for me and I am really proud of my horse. The highlights would be meeting new people and getting to show in the Grand Prix arena."

"It was a great experience! It was really cool to meet other people in the Zone and be able to have camaraderie and teamwork," said Brown, an Adult Gold Team Medalist of Summit Point, West Virginia. 

Individual Medalists

"I loved [the Championship] and this week was the most fun ever, I wish it wasn't over," exclaimed Individual Children's Gold Medalist Kerins, of Wellington, Florida. "My favorite part was [competing on a team] with all of my friends."

"I just want to thank USHJA and all the people who put this together," said Gold Medal Adult Individual rider Johansson from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "I really appreciate all the effort that goes into it. It's worthwhile for amateurs like me to see the pomp and circumstance even at this level; it's fantastic!"

The USHJA 1.00/1.05m Child/Adult Zone Jumper Championships provide Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper competitors an opportunity to earn Zone Horse of the Year points in the Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper (1.00/1.05m) in both team and individual competition. To qualify, riders must apply and earn a minimum of 20 points in their respective Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper sections at USEF-licensed competitions by their zone’s deadline, which is 45 days prior to the selected championship. Riders must also be current Active USEF and USHJA Junior or Amateur members in good standing. 

During the championship, riders compete in a three-day competition format. Day one entails a first round of the team championship and first individual qualifying class. Day two consists of the second round of the team championship and the second individual qualifying class. For the last competition day, the top 15 individual finalists from the qualifying classes return to jump for the individual championship title. 

Three more USHJA 1.00/1.05m Child/Adult Zone Jumper Championships will be held throughout the 2023 competition season. Zones 7 and 8 championships will be held July 19-23 during Summer in the Rockies VI in Parker, Colorado. The Zones 1 and 2 championships will be held July 26-30 during HITS-on-the-Hudson V in Saugerties, New York. The final championship will be held during the Temecula Valley National Fall 3 in Temecula, California, for Zones 9 and 10 on October 18-22. 

The USHJA extends special thanks to the team at Tryon International Equestrian Center for hosting these Championships. The USHJA also thanks official sponsors CWD, Nutrena and Parlanti. 

For more information about the USHJA 1.00/1.05m Child/Adult Zone Jumper Championships, visit ushja.org/lowzonejumper. 

Photos: Ibach Media