Natasha Klingstein Clinches USHJA 3'3" Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final - East

Saugerties, N.Y.—Sept. 5, 2024—Closing out a weekend of Adult Equitation competition at HITS on the Hudson in Saugerties, New York, Natasha Klingstein topped the USHJA 3'3'' Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final - East, held August 31 and September 1. The Califon, New Jersey, rider piloted Jericho through three phases to secure the tricolor on a score of 411.

"My journey toward being competitive in the show ring began last year at this very show after a 10-year hiatus from competition. The process to regain my confidence and prowess in the ring has taken an enormous amount of work, so having returned to this show and attained the USHJA Adult Jumping Seat Final brings it full circle. The decisions I’ve made to get me here have been validated," said Klingstein.

The medal final kicked off on Saturday with the newly introduced Official Jog, followed by the first of three phases: the Flat Phase. Judges Rob Bielefel and Mike Rosser saw 28 riders put their mounts through a series of flat exercises and put Camilla Murray, of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, into an early lead with a score of 90. Having already topped the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs - East the day before, Ellie Ferrigno, of Newtown, Connecticut, was on track to continue her week's success after trotting into second with an 89.50. Eleese Shillingford, of Alpharetta, Georgia, sat in the final spot in the top three after the first phase with an 88.50, with Klingenstein close behind in fourth with an 88.

With the top four within two points, the afternoon's Gymnastics Phase was sure to shuffle the standings as riders returned to contest Chris Collman's technical track. Determined to finish the first day on top, Klingenstein rode Redfield Farm's Jericho to earn the lead with an impressive two-round score of 223. Ferrigno kept her spot in second with the FRH Group's FRH Remarkable and a 218.65, while Shillingford slid to third with a 216 aboard her own Simply Stated. 

"The caliber of riders competing alongside me pushed me to step up my game, especially after I learned I had placed fourth in the Flat Phase. That was a wake-up call that I needed to walk into the Gymnastics and Jumping Phases ready to lay down flawless rounds," said Klingenstein. "Jericho picked up on my vibes and as soon as we entered the ring for each round, I felt that we were completely in sync. He was there for anything I asked of him, and I was there to lead and support him where he needed me. There really isn’t any better feeling than when you and your horse are performing as one unit."

Sunday commenced early with returning in reverse order for the final Jumping Phase. Last to take to the ring, Klingenstein secured her win with a leaderboard-topping three-round score of 411.

"I started riding Jericho in April of this year as he was transitioning from the Jumper ring to the Equitation ring. I am so proud of him for stepping into the spotlight and shining the way he did this weekend. He amazes me every day with his work ethic and the trust he has shown in me as I have challenged him to perform new mental and physical tasks," said Klingenstein of her mount.

Hannah Klinedinst, of Dallas, Texas, rose from sixth in the Flat Phase and fourth after the Gymnastics Phase to finish second with MTM Brando, owned by Equetrian Closet, LLC, on a 397.875. An unfortunate rail saw Ferrigno round out the top three with a 394.65. Best Equitation Horse honors and the fifth place ribbon were presented to Shillingford's Simply Stated.

The USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final is a three-round class that allows Adult Amateurs to showcase their Equitation skills in a Jumper style. This includes a Flat Round, a Gymnastics Round, and a Jumper-style course. The USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal is open to any Adult Amateur riders 18 and over that has not competed above 1.35m within that competition year. Riders qualify for the Finals hosted on either coast by earning 10 points or completing 3 classes during the qualifying period and may choose to compete at either location.

The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire HITS team for hosting the Final; to Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and Award Sponsor Essex Classics.

For more information about the USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal, visit ushja.com/jumpingseatmedal.

USHJA 3'3'' Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final - East Results

Rider | Horse | Trainer | Owner
Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 | Overall

1. Natasha Klingenstein | Jericho | Emil Spadone | Redfield Farm
88 | 135 | 188 | 411  

2. Hannah Klinedinst | MTM Brando | Matt Cyphert | Equestrian Closet, LLC
86.5 | 129.375 | 182 | 397.875

3. Ellie Ferrigno | FRH Remarkable | Abigale Seley-Ferrigno | FRH Group
89.5 | 129.15 | 176 | 394.65

4. Mariel Saccucci | Tibri's Goodfella | Ann Dotoli | Tibri LLC
82 | 130.5 | 180 | 392.5

5. Eleese Shillingford | Simply Stated | Michael Britt-Leon | Eleese Shillingford
88.5 | 127.5 | 172 | 388

6. Kenna Labeau | Gangster | Lucy Rachel Donohue | Beth Lebeau
84 | 129.75 | 166 | 379.75

7. Olivia Reiskin | Cheval Chirac BS | Gregory Prince | Amateur Friendly, LLC
77.5 | 115.5 | 170 | 363

8. Reynolds Cole | Gandalf | Chris Iwasaki | Crooked Willow Farms 
76.5 | 117 | 168 | 361.5

9. Brenda Tananbaum | Redwood | Jenny D. Martin-Rudaz | Ashfield Stables 
80 | 129 | 152.5 | 361.5

10. Pamela J. Gremley | Carsandro | Patricia Harnois | Pamela Gremley 
86 | 116.25 | 155 | 357.25

11. Kiera Phlipot | Red Roc | Dorothy Campbell | Kiera Phlipot 
85.5 | 120 | 151 | 356.5

12. Ava Peck | Berlin | Chris Iwasaki | Joey Roman 
83 | 108.75 | 160 | 351.75

Photos: ESI Photography