USHJA Zone 3 Competes for Team Medals at USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, Presented by SmartPak

Mill Spring, N.C.—June 8, 2019—In a competition not often seen in hunter circles, twenty-two Zone 3 Children and Adult riders were divided into six teams that went head-to-head in the USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, presented by SmartPak. Hosted by the Tryon International Equestrian Center at the Tryon Spring 6 - TR & HC Charity Horse Show, competitors galloped around the same arena as last year's World Equestrian Games participants.

The Team competition consisted of three phases: an under saddle and two classic hunter-style rounds. Each team had an assigned color, with riders wearing armbands representing their team. Many showed their team spirit with braided manes and tails done in team colors. Each phase was placed and awarded individually, and the teams with the highest overall scores were crowned Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists.

RESULTS - Zone 3 Children's & Adult Amateur Team Championships, from L to R

BRONZE: ORANGE TEAM, Total Score: 1,069.5

Sophie Blondel (Adult), Claire Steffens (Ch), Sophia Strahan (Ch)

GOLD: RED TEAM, Total Score: 1,129.5

Susan Reynolds (Adult), Langston Hopkins (Ch), Madeline Rubin (Ch), Charlotte Harvey (Ch)

SILVER: PINK TEAM, Total Score: 1,079.5

Gigi Phillips (Ch), Emma Gurley (Ch), Olivia McClellan (Ch), Courtney Canizares (Adult)

Special thanks to Deloise Noble-Strong, Chef d'Equipe for Zone 3. "This is my favorite program," Noble-Strong noted. "Team spirit was very high. I was happy to see people using some flair in their braid jobs. The courses were excellent. We didn't have a clear leader until the end, as it should be with a Championship."

None of the Gold Medalists had competed in a team competition before today. When asked what it was like to ride on a team, they replied with exuberance.

Langston Hopkins of Cary, N.C.: "It was a good experience to work together and to have all of your points count towards the same goal." 

Charlotte Harvey of Charlotte, N.C.: "I thought it was a really great experience, getting to know new people and getting to compete on the same team together."

Madeline Rubin of Mooresville, N.C.: "I thought it was a really good experience, we got to meet new people, and it was fun getting to decorate our horses."

Susan Reynolds of Advance, N.C.: " I thought it was great fun, because I had the best group of young people on my team. It was awesome!" 

And when asked if they would do it again, the Gold Medalists replied in unison, "Yes, absolutely!"

All riders received polo shirts and tote bags from the Championships' presenting sponsor SmartPak. Medals and ribbons were awarded to the top three teams, with the gold medal team receiving embroidered coolers.

Horse and rider combinations will go on to compete in the Individual Championship on Sunday. The Individual Championship also consists of three phases, including an under saddle, a classic hunter derby-style course and a handy hunter course. Each phase will be placed and awarded individually, and the Individual Champion will be the horse-and-rider combination with the highest overall score from all three phases.

USHJA extends special thanks to JP Godard and the entire Tryon International Equestrian Center team for hosting the Zone 3 Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships. USHJA also thanks presenting sponsor SmartPak, as well as awards sponsors Charles Owen Helmet, CWD, Parlanti, Essex Classics and FITS Riding.

Photo Credit: SportFot