Final Medals Awarded in 2024 Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships for West Region
Thermal, Ca.—Nov. 6, 2024—
The final Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships of the 2024 season took place in the West Region at the Desert International Horse Park from October 31 to November 3. Zones 8, 9, and 10 vied for the titles under the guidance of Chefs d'Equipe Robert Sean Leckie, Jeni Brown, Ian McFarlane, Laura Gerst, Mariano Alario, Elizabeth Kilham, and Samantha Lanzone of Zone 10; Debbi Long of Zone 9; and Dustin Cossaboom of Zone 7.
"Being a gold medalist feels surreal," remarked Tali DeJong, 1.40/1.45m Individual winner. "This sport is full of ups and downs, and it’s important to savor the moments when everything comes together. It makes all the hard work and challenges along the way feel so rewarding."
Team Medalists
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1.30/1.35m Platinum Jumper GOLD: Jet Run Grace Belmont - Vendetta de Capellan - Zone 10 Londyn Wright - Cloud Seven - Zone 10 Kristin Hardin - Aurora Borealis - Zone 10
Jayme Omand - Ferrari - Zone 10 Jamie Barge - La Biosthetique - Zone 10 Crystal Nelson - Don Juan des Isles - Zone 10
Avery Winston - Fugon - Zone 9 Hattie Liversidge - Santa Rosa Doncella - Zone 9 Jessica Gleason - Golden Boy - Zone 9 |
1.40/1.45m Platinum Jumper GOLD: Authentic Maddee Morley - Champions Legue - Zone 8 Ceinwen Muma - Callaloo - Zone 8 Tali DeJong - Duke of Doel - Zone 8
Andrew Lopez - George Z.G. - Zone 10 Stacey Bacheller - Jackpot VDM - Zone 10 Valentina Lehner - Cookie Dough 5 - Zone 10
Amanda Paul - Captain Crunch - Zone 10 Camryn Chalmers - Feeling de Pleville - Zone 10 Lauren Frandson - Golda - Zone 10 |
Individual Medalists
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1.30/1.35m Platinum Jumper GOLD: Crystal Nelson - Don Juan Des Isles - Zone 10 SILVER: Londyn Wright - Cloud Seven - Zone 10 BRONZE: Grace Belmont - Vendetta De Capellan - Zone 10 |
1.40/1.45m Platinum Jumper GOLD: Tali DeJong - Duke of Doel - Zone 8 SILVER: Maddee Morley - Champions Legue - Zone 8 BRONZE: Germaine Dougherty - Kard Trick - Zone 9 |
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The 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.
"To put it shortly, it feels amazing to be a Gold Medal winner," said Morley, a member of Team Authentic. "Riding is generally an individual sport, so to have the opportunity to change it up and ride for not just yourself but for your teammates as well is such a great way to appreciate the sport through a different lens. I love being able to cheer for the other riders, and it makes the classes even more exciting."
The Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships are open to qualified juniors, amateurs, and professionals competing at 1.30/1.35m and 1.40/1.45m fence heights. All Championship competitors are recognized as USHJA Platinum Jumper Riders, and individual medalists are designated as USHJA Show Jumping Platinum Athletes.
"It means so much to me that all the failures turned into success and [...] suddenly you find yourself on top," commented Nelson, the 1.30/1.35m Individual Gold Medalist. "No matter what level of competition, it means your lessons have been learned, and in that moment, you and your horse are a united team, which every rider strives for."
Individual medalists and their trainers are also invited to attend one USHJA Gold Star Clinic of their choice over the following two years. Each clinic includes four days of mounted and unmounted instruction from Olympic-caliber clinicians and industry professionals.
The USHJA extends special thanks to the team at Desert International Horse Park for hosting these championships. The USHJA also thanks title sponsor, Markel Insurance, and official sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti.
For more information about the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships Program, visit ushja.org/PlatinumJumper.
Photos: High Desert Sport Photo
