Blake Triumphs in USHJA 3'3" Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final - West
San Juan Capistrano, Calif.—Sept. 26, 2024—Sophia Blake and Carleo delivered a standout performance to claim victory in the USHJA 3'3'' Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final - West, held during the International Jumping Festival in San Juan Capistrano, California. From September 20-21, the duo outshined a competitive field to take home the coveted title.
"I thought each phase went really well for me. My horse is really talented, so he was able to do them great," said Blake, of Santa Barbara, California. "The Flat Phase asked really great questions with leg yielding, counter canter, and no stirrup work. "
The Flat Phase kicked off competition with riders executing a counter canter and no stirrup work for judges Melissa Bark and Rachel Kennedy. Caroline Ingalls, of Rancho Santa Fe, California, took an early lead on her own Big Country with a 93, followed by Margrethe Munkdale on Look At Me with a 91 and Blake close behind in third on a score of 90.
Ingalls closed out the first day with a firm hold on the lead after earning a two-round score of 231 on Anthony D’ Ambrosio's Gymnastics Phase course. Blake began her ascent up the ranks with Emme Tangen's Carleo, moving up to second place sitting on a 225.
Aiming to best their second place finish in the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs two months prior, the Jumping Phase was Blake's final chance to impress the judges and secure the win. Adding 170 to their total, the duo finished at the top of the class with a 23.5-point lead and 395 overall.
A round-topping score of 87 in the Jumping Phase rose Kelsey King, of Kirkland, Washington, to collect reserve on her own Closing Time. The pair ended on a three-round score of 371.5. Moving up from seventh after the Gymnastics Phase, Munkdale, of San Fransisco, California, claimed third on a 362. Munkdale's mount, Look At Me, owned by Round Meadow Farm, LLC, also earned the Best Equitation Horse Honor.
The USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final is a three-round class that allows Adult Amateurs to showcase their Equitation skills in a Jumper style. This includes a Flat Round, a Gymnastics Round, and a Jumper-style course. The USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal is open to any Adult Amateur riders 18 and over that has not competed above 1.35m within that competition year. Riders qualify for the Finals hosted on either coast by earning 10 points or completing 3 classes during the qualifying period and may choose to compete at either location.
The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Blenheim Equisports team for hosting the Final; to Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and Supporting Sponsor Essex Classics.
For more information about the USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal, visit ushja.com/jumpingseatmedal.
USHJA 3'3'' Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final - West Results
Rider | Horse | Trainer | Owner
Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 | Overall
1. Sophia Blake | Carleo | Tasha Visokay | Emme Tangen
90 | 135 | 170 | 395
2. Kelsey King | Closing Time | Denise Youell | Kelsey King
85 | 112.5 | 174 | 371.5
3. Margrethe Munkdale | Look At Me | Nicole Norris | Round Meadow Farm, LLC
91 | 105 | 166 | 362
4. Mary Bernardo | Splendido 44 | Tasha Visokay | Mary Bernardo
77 | 126 | 142 | 345
5. Taylor Loew | Cassini Jr. | Hap Hansen | Taylor Loew
70 | 109.5 | 162 | 341.5
6. Catherine Westling | Just Cavalli | Tracy Burroughs | Gabrielle Sokolow
78 | 130.5 | 132 | 340.5
7. Jessica Smith | Black Emerald | Robert Leckie | Jessica Smith
73 | 99 | 168 | 340
8. Kathy Nolan | Just Because | Nicole Norris | Kathy Nolan
89 | 123 | 126 | 338
9. Daniela Hernandez | Quite Easy Z | Monica Cornejo Rahman | Daniela Hernandez
71 | 114 | 148 | 333
10. Claudia Mathews | Maybach | Alexandra Biederman | Monique McCormick
67 | 100.5 | 152 | 319.5
11. Christina Haney | Cammander-C | Robert Leckie | Robert Leckie
72 | 111 | 128 | 311
12. Avery Worthington | Cascalido | Katie Hauss | Avery Worthington
86 | 60 | 160 | 306
Photos: McCool Photography
