Conigliaro Captures IHSA/USHJA 3'3'' Hunter Seat Medal Final - East

West Springfield, Mass.—Oct. 22, 2024—Riley Conigliaro rode Bulgari de Huz Z to victory in the 2024 IHSA/USHJA 3'3'' Hunter Seat Medal Final - East, held during the New England Equitation Championships on Saturday, October 19, at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts. After two rounds of competition and a final work-off, Conigliaro, of Bedford, New York, emerged as the champion with Keira Fitzgerald, of Walpole, Massachusetts, earning reserve.

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The competition, judged by Ken Smith and Robin Swinderman Mitchell, showcased the talent of 113 Equitation riders from across the region. Scott Adler's first-round course sorted the riders, welcoming the top 25 back for a second round. With the top 5 riders sitting within two points of each other, class leader Conigliaro returned for the work-off alongside Addison Slye, Lindsay Swedenburg, Fitzgerald, and Lila Racanelli.

The shortened course included two counter-canter fences, a halt, and a trot fence, which riders contested in reverse order. In the end, Conigliaro secured her tricolor after expertly piloting Molly Poirier's Bulgari de Huz Z through the technical track. Moving up from fourth, Fitzgerald's finesse of the final round aboard her own Carado was enough to finish in reserve. Swedenburg, of Scarsdale, New York, held on to her third-placed position with Konfessions, owned by Brookside Pine Farms, LLC. Rancanelli, of New York, New York, jumped to fourth with Chansonette Farm, LLC's Izabelle S, while Slye, of Andover, Massachusetts, slid to fifth with her own Casino 71.

"I thought both the courses were really nice. They all had a bit of a challenge to them and I thought the most important thing for me was just to do what was best for my horse, whether it was to make an inside turn or not," said Conigliaro, who finished on a two-round score of 167.50. "My goal in my junior years is to keep going in the Equitation up to the 3’6” and just being as consistent as I can and doing the best I can no matter the results."

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All contestants were gifted hats and IHSA tumblers, while the top twelve riders were honored with bridle ribbons, rider sashes, and saddle pads for their achievements. As Reserve Champion, Fitzgerald received a picture frame and an Essex show shirt. Conigliaro, for her exceptional performance, was awarded a cooler, a keeper trophy, and a pair of Parlanti boots.

The IHSA/USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal serves as a stepping stone for Equitation riders, providing an opportunity to qualify and compete in a National Equitation Final at fence heights of 3’3”. The Medal is open to Junior riders, who have not competed in any of the following National Equitation Finals with fences at 3’6” within the same competition year, including USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, ASPCA Maclay Finals, USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals (East or West), WIHS Equitation Classic Finals, Jump Canada Medal Finals, or the North American Equitation Championship.

The USHJA extends special thanks to the entire New England Equitation Championships team for hosting the event as well as Title Sponsor IHSA; Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and Supporting Sponsor Essex Classics.

To learn more about the IHSA/USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal, visit ushja.org/HunterSeatMedal.

IHSA/USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Final - East Results

Rider | Horse | Trainer | Owner

Round 1 | Round 2 | Two-Round Score*
*The Final Round was not scored.

Photo: Jess Windhurst Photography