Tryon, N.C. and Parker, Colo.—July 27, 2021—The Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships and Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships kicked off for the year with Zones 3, 4, 7 and 8. Competition for Zones 3 and 4 was held during Tryon Summer 6 at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, North Carolina, while Zone 7 and 8 vyed for top placings at Split Rock Jumping Tour's Denver International CSI2* at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado.
Zones 3 and 4 Team Medalists1.10/1.15m Children's Zone Jumper GOLD: Dolphins SILVER: Hawkies BRONZE: Sunbears 1.10/1.15m Adult Amateur Zone Jumper GOLD: Southern Bears SILVER: Scorpians BRONZE: Grizzlies 1.20/1.25m Junior Zone Jumper GOLD: Barracudas SILVER: Falcons BRONZE: Manatees 1.20/1.25m Amateur Zone Jumper GOLD: American Eagles SILVER: Cardinals BRONZE: Panthers 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper GOLD: Blue Orcas SILVER: Carolina Red Dogs BRONZE: Barn Cats Platinum Jumper GOLD: Sea Minks SILVER: Falcons BRONZE: Stingrays |
Zones 3 and 4 Individual Medalists1.10/1.15m Children's Zone Jumper GOLD: Katalena Prussi - Camera Ready - Zone 4 1.10/1.15m Adult Amateur Zone Jumper GOLD: Fleming Troup - Canesso Va - Zone 4 1.20/1.25m Junior Zone Jumper GOLD: Sydney Levy - Sherlock Holmes 21 - Zone 4 1.20/1.25m Amateur Zone Jumper GOLD: Kristen Franz - Numero Dos - Zone 4 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper GOLD: Emily Haas - Maximiliano - Zone 4 Platinum Jumper GOLD: Cady Klimas - Celtic Lady M2S - Zone 4
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Zones 7 and 8 Team Medalists1.10/1.15m Children's/Adult Amateur Zone Jumper GOLD: Zone 8 Team V SILVER: Zone 8 Team IV BRONZE: Zone 7 Team I 1.20/1.35m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper GOLD: Zone 7 Team I SILVER: Zone 8 Team IV BRONZE: Zone 8 Team II |
Zones 7 and 8 Individual Medalists1.10/1.15m Children's/Adult Amateur Zone Jumper GOLD: Rachel Loftin - Balyon - Zone 8 1.20/1.35m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper GOLD: Maddie Muenzer - Kuyenco - Zone 8 Platinum Jumper GOLD: JJ Atkinson - Golden Cassini - Zone 8
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Medals and ribbons were awarded to the top three teams, with the gold medal teams receiving embroidered coolers. Individual gold medalists received a variety of awards from CWD, Essex Classics and Straight Arrow, a pair of Parlanti paddock boots, a medal, a ribbon and a cooler.
Thanks to Chefs d’Equipe Sandra Ruiz, Alden Moylan, Gail Thompson, Kama Godek, Kelly Kocher and Margaret Maher from Zone 3; Kim Land, Megan Thiel, Shawn Russell and Terry Gonzalez from Zone 4; Michael Toraruk from Zone 7; and Betty Beran, Ariel Marx and Danine Summers from Zone 8.
The USHJA extends special thanks to the teams at Split Rock Jumping Tour, Colorado Horse Park and Tryon International Equestrian Center for hosting these Championships. The USHJA also thanks official sponsors CWD, Nutrena, Parlanti and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital; title sponsor Markel; and award sponsors Essex Classics and Straight Arrow Family of Brands.
The Zone Jumper Team Championships and Platinum Jumper Championships are part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program, which rewards competitive achievement with education to advance athletes in the sport. The Program serves as the entry point for the Show Jumping Athlete Pathway, a joint USHJA-US Equestrian effort that identifies and nurtures Jumping athletes as they advance through the sport to enhance future success for Olympic and international teams representing the United States.
Providing Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper (1.10/1.15m), 1.20/1.25m Junior and Amateur, and 1.30/1.35m Junior and Amateur riders with a competitive team experience and an opportunity to earn Zone Horse of the Year points in their respective jumper sections, the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships are held by zone and consist of both team and individual competition. All Zone Jumper Team Championships competitors are recognized as 2021 USHJA Emerging Jumper Riders. Individual medalists at the Championships are recognized as 2021 Gold Star Emerging Jumper Riders by awarding them a 2021 Gold Star Emerging Jumper Rider pin. At the same time, trainers of these riders are recognized as Gold Star Jumper Coaches and receive specialized pins that denote their title. Riders and trainers who receive the designation are also invited to attend one of the USHJA Gold Star Clinics.
In its second year, the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships are the highest level of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program and are open to qualified juniors, amateurs and professionals competing at 1.40/1.45m fence heights. All Championship competitors are recognized as 2021 USHJA Platinum Jumper Riders. All Individual medalists are designated as USHJA Show Jumping Platinum Athletes and are invited to the USHJA Gold Star Clinics.
For more information about the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships, visit ushja.org/ZoneJumper. For more information about the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships Program, visit ushja.org/PlatinumJumper.
Photos by Jump Media and Winslow Photography