Buftea, Romania – The U.S. Endurance Team saw four horse-and-athlete combinations cross the finish line after the 120km ride to finish in seventh overall at the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders hosted by the Shagya Sports Club Association in Buftea, Romania. The athletes and their horses were supported by their dedicated crew members, Interim Chef d’Equipe Heather Reynolds, Team Veterinarian Dr. Olivia Rudolphi, and Team Leader Nicole Zerbee.
“The championship went smoothly for us this year,” said Interim Chef d’Equipe Heather Reynolds. “All of our athletes and their horses were well prepared and worked very well together as a unified team. I’m super happy with our results and very proud of all of them. It was especially great having a complete team.”
The highest placing American combination to finish after five successful loops was AnnaMaria Clarke (Davis, W.Va.) and Southern Justice, who is known in the barn as “Roo,” a 2012 Arabian gelding (PA Gazsi x PA Ecolina) owned by Valerie Kanavy and Dessia Miller. The pair finished in 23rd place individually out of a large and highly competitive international field. The pair completed the race in 16:18:57.
“I’m beyond proud of Roo,” said Clarke of her teammate. “I’m very happy with our finish at the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders! [Roo] gave me 110%, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in him or outcome for us this year.”
The course for the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders covered 120 km, with five loops varying in distance from 20.5 km to 31 km (75 miles total), across fields, agricultural roads, and forest terrain in the picturesque suburban village of Buftea, located just outside of the country’s capital city of Bucharest. At the conclusion of each loop, the horses were inspected by the competition veterinarians to ensure physical condition, including heart rate and gait, which was then followed by a mandatory rest period to eat, drink, and recover before returning to the course to complete the next loop.
Vanessa Erickson (Rocklin, Calif.) and Leno, a 2016 Arabian gelding (Dahess x Ta Dance WithTheStar) owned by Samantha Ellis, Jax Beloberk (Loomis, Calif.) and Highh Treason, a 2011 Arabian gelding (Tomanchie x Ecstatika) owned by Katie Beloberk, and Lila Reeder (Loomis, Calif.) and Cricket MHF, a 2017 Arabian gelding (Jolly By Golly x Awesome Zell MHF) owned by Bethany Reeder, individually finished in 40th, 41st, and 42nd respectively.
Stay Connected
Keep up with U.S. Endurance by following USA Endurance on Facebook and US Equestrian on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
