USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Champions Crowned in Zones 7 and 8

The Colorado Horse Park played host to the USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships for the second year, seeing 20 athletes compete for a podium position. Chefs d'Equipe Fiona Donnelly, Alexia Honegger, and Karli LeBlanc led the competition, held July 17-21 during LEG Shows and Events' Summer in the Rockies.

Junior/Amateur Team

GOLD: Ruling the Rockies
Alessia Basden - Helios - Zone 7
Olivia Potier - Blue Ridge Bodie - Zone 7
Huntlee Taylor - Refinement RD - Zone 7
Dakota Johnson - Sunshine & Whiskey - Zone 7

SILVER: Dashing Divas
Zahara Henderson - Star Wish - Zone 8
Elina Liebert - Diarado Des Cigaudes - Zone 8
Bella Parry - Zymon - Zone 8
Gabriela Rojas - Solaguayre Castella - Zone 8

BRONZE: Totally Texan
Megan McEwan - MTM Honey Pie - Zone 7
Jessica Wedge - Bellini 68 - Zone 7
Audrey Skillern - Big Glace - Zone 7
Lyla Simmons - You've Got a Friend in Me - Zone 7 

Junior/Amateur Individual
GOLD: Lily Groff - Calido Starlight - Zone 8
SILVER: Huntlee Taylor - Refinement RW - Zone 7
BRONZE: Kerri Nelson - Irish - Zone 8

"This win means a lot to me because of the hard work I've put in," remarked Team Gold medalist Olivia Potier. "Riding on a team was really fun, and I made some new friends. I'm so thankful to my trainer and my family for encouraging me to apply and supporting me."

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. 

During the championship, riders compete in a three-day competition format. Day one entails a first round of the team championship and 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.  

One more USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Jumper Championships will be held throughout the 2024 competition season. Wrapping up the championships will be the Temecula Valley Fall National III in Temecula, California, over October 16-20 for Zones 9 and 10.

The USHJA extends special thanks to the team at LEG Shows and Events and the Colorado Horse Park for hosting this Championship. The USHJA also thanks 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. 

Photos: Captured Moment Photography