Medals Awarded in USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone 9 and 10 Jumper Championships and Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships - West

Temecula, Calif.—Oct. 25, 2024—The USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships for Zone 9 and 10 and the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships - West saw nearly 100 riders compete for gold over October 16-20 in Temecula, California, at the Temecula Valley National Fall 3 hosted by Nilforushan Equisport Events.

"When I realized I won, I burst into happy tears at the back gate," said Lexi Pandell, 1.00/1.05 Amateur Individual Gold Medalist and member of Team Calypso, who earned Silver. "[The program] looked like such a unique experience, so I set a goal of qualifying and competing. I couldn't have imagined that I'd win the Individual Championship in my first year." 

1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Medalists

Chefs d'Equipe Shawn Casady from Zone 4; Rebekah Swan and Sara Petersen from Zone 9; and Mark Kinsella, Jamie Barge, Kristi Frishman, Kelly Maddox, Mark Watring, Gry McFarlane, and Laura Gerst from Zone 10 oversaw the USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships.

"Winning the gold medal feels incredible," exclaimed Finnegan, an Amateur Team Gold Medalist. "It was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and a deep love for the sport. The competition was fierce, making each round both exciting and challenging." 

The USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships provide riders with a competitive team experience and an opportunity to earn Zone Horse of the Year points in the 1.00/1.05m Junior and Amateur Jumper sections. To qualify, riders must apply and earn a minimum of 20 points in their respective Jumper sections at USEF-licensed competitions by their zone’s deadline, which is 45 days prior to the selected championship. Riders must also be current Active USEF and USHJA Junior or Amateur members in good standing. 

"I’m grateful that USHJA provides the opportunity for adult amateurs to compete as a team because it was truly a bucket list experience," Harding commented, a member of the Gold Medal Amateur Team. "Our team, the Untouchables, was an amazing, diverse group of riders with a shared passion for show jumping."

During the championship, riders compete in a three-day competition format. Day one entails a first round of the team championship and the first individual qualifying class. Day two consists of the second round of the team championship and the second individual qualifying class. For the last competition day, the top 15 individual finalists from the qualifying classes return to jump for the individual championship title. 

"It feels great to share a win with such a great team that I now can call my friends," said Burton, a rider on Junior Team San Lucas who won Gold. "Winning this event was the best feeling, [considering] all of the great riders that were competing. I can’t wait to do it again next year."

Zone Jumper Team Medalists

Chefs d'Equipe Alexia Honneger from Zone 8; Denise Youell, Mary von Zimmermann, Peterson, Swan, and Philippa Melski from Zone 9; and Maddox, Ned Glynn, Zazou Hoffman, Heatherly Davis, Denise Finch, Robert Leckie, Paige Dendiu, Jenny Williams, Tara Ardalan, and Judy Nielson from Zone 10 oversaw the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships.

"It was fun to meet fellow adult amateurs who are also juggling work and children with their riding," Williams, the 1.10/1.15m Amateur Individual Gold Medalist, remarked on the team experience. "We immediately hit it off and spent the whole welcome party just chatting, laughing, and smiling. They both came up and gave me a big hug after the Individual Gold, and I definitely came home with amazing memories."

The Zone Jumper Team Championships is part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program, which rewards competitive achievement with education to advance athletes in the sport. 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.

"Winning this event means so much to me, especially as an amateur who works hard to be part of this incredible sport," said Hanssen, 1.20/1.25m Amateur Team Gold Medalist. "I was inspired to compete in honor of my dad, who passed away from Early-onset Alzheimers last year. He was my biggest supporter in this sport and loved being able to watch me compete, so this [win] was for him."

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 Nilforushan Equisport Events team for hosting these Championships. The USHJA also thanks Zone Jumper Team Championship Title Sponsor Markel Insurance and official sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti.

For more information about the USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships, visit ushja.org/lowzonejumper. For more information about the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships, visit ushja.org/ZoneJumper.

Photos: Julia B Photography