Traverse City, Mich.—June 27, 2024—Zones 1, 2, 5, and 6 convened in Traverse City for the North Region's Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships and Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships. Held at Flintfields Horse Park from June 19-23, the Jumper competition spanned four height sections with more than 50 athletes vying for a podium finish.
1.10/1.15m Junior/Amateur Team GOLD: Snowbound
SILVER: Hello Sanctos
BRONZE: Hickstead
1.10/1.15m Junior/Amateur Individual GOLD: Holly Labry - Coco Chanel JVH Z - Zone 4 |
1.20/1.25m Junior/Amateur Team GOLD: Canturo
SILVER: Shutterfly
BRONZE: Sapphire
1.20/1.25m Junior/Amateur Individual GOLD: Elizabeth Rinehart - Amorem Rose - Zone 5 |
"Because this is such an individual sport, it's fun having teammates cheering each other on and helping each other when it doesn't go your way, making sure everyone feels excited to be here this week," said Labry of the team competition. "We cheer for everyone in our own barns, but having a team that you root for is super fun.
A special thanks goes to the Chefs d'Equipe who oversaw the competition: James Benedetto, Bethany Parins, Sarah Weaver, and Lindsay Yinger.
1.30/1.35m and 1.40/1.45m Team
GOLD: Gem Twist
SILVER: Milton
BRONZE: Idle Dice
1.30/1.35m and 1.40/1.45m Individual
GOLD: Danielle Urban - Ellickson l’Amant Van De Zeilhoek - Zone 6
SILVER: Rebecca Gutstein - Masoranta - Zone 5
BRONZE: Alina Zappone - Jack The Ripper 111 - Zone 5
"This is my first time doing this championship,” said Urban. “We’ve had students at our barn compete in them, but this is my first time competing in one myself. It's been a really fun experience coming here as a Zone 6 representative and getting to meet other people that we don't always see on the circuit. I enjoy the team atmosphere; I think cheering each other on is always a big thing."
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.
The Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships provide 1.10/1.15m and 1.20/1.25m Junior and Amateur competitors both team and individual competition. All competitors are recognized as USHJA Emerging Jumper Riders and individual medalists are recognized as Gold Star Emerging Jumper Riders.
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.
Individual medalists and their trainers are also invited to attend one Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund/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.
Competition continues across the country with all Championships for Zones 3, 4, and 7 taking place at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina, on July 17-21. Zone Jumper Team competitors from Zones 8, 9, and 10 will compete October 16-20 at the Temecula Valley National Horse Show in Temecula, California, while those Platinum Jumper competitors will show at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, on October 31-November 3.
The USHJA extends special thanks to the team at Traverse City Horse Shows and Morrissey Management Group for hosting these Championships. The USHJA also thanks official sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti and title sponsor Markel Insurance.
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: Andrew Ryback Photography