The Young Riders show jumping was held in the main arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, across the same footing that will determine the World Equestrian Games Champion in two months. The setting was easily the largest that most of these horses have ever jumped in, but the riders did a great job keeping their horses focused.
The CH-Y** show jumping was big, twisty, and open, which required the riders to find a good balance of forward and packaging. Missy Miller and Amazing Grace jumped a beautiful double-clear and was the first rider to put pressure on the top 4. 20 year old Kelly Pugh and Copycat Chloe of Area VI answered the pressure by posting the only other double-clear of the day for the Young Riders two-star win.
1. Kelly Pugh and Copycat Chloe +0 55.9
2. Missy Miller and Amazing Grace +0 58.7
3. Danielly Dishting and Tops +4 62.0
4. Tessa Beckett and Sound Prospect +6 66.9
5. Jacob Fletcher and Falcon Splash +6 70.9
6. Lauren Lambert and Baba Creek +21 74.6
The show jumping was influential throughout the two-star placings with half of the rides having more than one rail down. Sound Prospect wins my favorite jumper award–the horse jumps an inch left but he goes a mile in the air, and he jumps better the deeper he gets.
In the two-star team competition, the Flying Carters moved up from third after the cross country to win by adding 16 show jumping penalties between three riders. Kyle looked like the proudest guy at the Horse Park today and for good reason–great job Area III. Link: Team Results
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Kelly Loria Wins the CH-J*
In the CH-J* division, Kelly Loria and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds finished a perfect weekend with a perfect show jumping round and claimed the one-star junior championship. The 1* show jumping had been riding tough all morning when Kelly entered the arena, but she started her round with a lovely rhythm and carried that rhythm throughout the entire round. Kelly and Lucy had one of two double-clears on the day and won by 10.5 points. The pair is from California and they represented West Coast evening well this weekend.
1. Kelly Loria and Lucy +0 40.0
2. Claire Kelly and Clifton Peekachu +8 50.5
3. Lizzie Snow and Pop Star +4 54.6
4. Sophie Laframboise and Way Cool +4 55.9
5. Rowdie Jo Adams and No Money Down +8 56.5
Link: CH-J* Results
This was the fifth Young Riders for Claire Kelly’s horse, Clifton Peekachu, and the pair finished in second place. It is great to see a horse serve our younger riders so well for so long.
The one-star show jumping was challenging, with 19 of 26 rides having more than one rail down. A few of the riders seemed to lack conviction in their eye, which is to be expected under such pressure. The one-star show jumping included a stone wall that rode well, especially considering that this was probably the first time most of the horses had jumped over a show jumping stone wall.
In the team competition, the Area VI, VII, and VIII team benefitted from Kelly Loria’s double clear and regained the lead that they lost on Saturday. Congrats to Lizzie Snow, Noelle Varga, Kelly Loria, Madison Reeb, Pop Star, BC Great Scot, Lucy, and Raquel for representing their team so well this weekend. More importantly, their win ensured that the Star Spangled Banner played all four times at Young RIders, twice for the individual and twice for the teams. Link: Team Results
Finally, we should all give a huge EN shout-out to the many wonderful support team of coaches, grooms, parents, vets, farriers, organizers, volunteers, and everyone else who made this great competition possible. The Horse Park was a wonderful host for Young Riders this weekend and we crowned two worthy champions. Imagine–we will be back at the Kentucky Horse Park in two months to pick a World Champion!
Go eventing.
