Lier, Belgium – The U.S. Jumping Teams competing at the FEI Youth Jumping Nations Cup Final completed their week at Azelhof Horse Events in Lier, Belgium, with impressive results, finishing first in the Young Rider category, and third in the Junior category over three days of competition. The U.S. Jumping Young Rider Team finished on a final total of zero faults to top the podium, while the U.S. Jumping Junior Team took bronze on combined final score of four faults. Both teams were led by Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski and Team Leader Erin Keating.
“We had another very successful week here in Belgium, and I am extremely proud of our athletes and their horses for their effort, focus, and determination this week,” said Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski. “With podium finishes in both categories, and a win in a very competitive Young Rider final, these athletes have gained valuable experience in a high-pressure team atmosphere which is crucial in their continued progression through the pathway. I always leave these finals with such optimism and excitement for the future of our sport and program, as well as for these athletes, as they continue to develop and deliver results for the U.S.”
The U.S. Jumping Young Rider Team produced consistent results throughout the first and second qualifying competitions, and with a tremendous effort in the final round, the first three combinations jumped clear to definitively secure their win. The team entered the Final after finishing atop the first qualifying class on Thursday on zero faults and in second overall in the second qualifying class on four faults on Friday.
With the final starting with a clean score sheet for the six qualified teams, Skylar Wireman (Bonsall, Calif.) and Barclino B, a 2016 Holsteiner gelding (Constanzehof’s Barcley x Lasino) owned by Wireman Investment Group, cared for by Skylar Wireman, served as the lead-off combination for the team, tasked with the track designed by Henk Linders (NED). The pair jumped a proficient clear and stopped the timers in 73.34 seconds to set the pace for the team from the very start.
Olivia Sweetnam (Wellington, Fla.) and Epic, a 2015 Anglo European gelding (Billy Mexico x Flyinge Electro) owned by Monika Preston and Sweet Oak Farm, cared for by Ariana Anglessey, were second in the team’s order, making their mark with another strong clear round to keep the team on zero heading into the third rotation. Alexa Elle Lignelli (New York, N.Y.) and her own XO Zadora, a 2013 KWPN mare (Zavall VDL x Padinus), cared for by Britte Jaeger and Zachary Will, who jumped clear for the team in all three classes of the week, helped to cement the team’s podium-topping performance with a third consecutive clear round for the team, relieving the anchor pair of Carlee McCutcheon (Aubrey, Texas) and Aralyn Blue, a 2014 Oldenburg mare (Chacco Blue x Ludwigs AS) owned by Road to the Top, cared for by Katy Vokacova, from needing to jump in the final round.
“Anne [Kursinski] and Erin [Keating]’s leadership allowed us to really feel prepared and understand where we needed to focus to perform, which was a huge part of the team’s success this week,” said Lignelli. “When you have so many different areas to think about as a rider, their leadership really allowed us to hone-in on what it would take to deliver the best results possible. I’ve had such a great experience both years I’ve done this Final, last year winning with the Junior team, and again this year with the Young Riders. I felt like this year I had more experience and a better plan coming into this championship. XO Zadora is such a special mare, and I feel like we’ve been building towards this kind of result with the consistency and connection in our partnership. So many people help to make these kinds of results possible, but a huge thank you to my team, Zack Will, Diego Perez Bilbao, Lillie Keenan, and Guga Malta de Abreau, of course, my parents for everything they do, and the USA Jumping program for giving us the opportunity to be here.”
The U.S. Jumping Junior Team also saw success after a strong week of qualifying competition leading into the final, which saw the team jump to zero faults in both the first and second qualifying classes.
Campbell Brown (Fayetteville, Ark.) and Colina Z, a 2014 Zangersheide mare (Hofgut Liederbach’s Ingmar x Carthago) owned by MMK Equestrian LLC, cared for by Arturo Vidal, were the pathfinders, crossing through the finish with just four faults and stopping the timers in 71.42 seconds. Sophia Ayers (Reddick, Fla.) and her own Conthinder, a 2011 Oldenburg gelding (Conthargos x Nintender), cared for by Shanna Lee, ensured the team continued to fight for a podium position after producing a clear round in the second rotation.
JJ Torano (Wellington, Fla.) and Lyon 50, a 2014 Hanoverian stallion (Lord Argentinus x Lex Lugar) owned by Kadley Farm LLC and North Run, cared for by Arturo Vidal, secured the team’s second clear round to keep the competition tight with both Sweden and Ireland heading into the final rotation to determine the podium placings. Philippa Ammann (Wellington, Fla.) and Zarina de Vidau, a 2011 Caballo de Deporte Español mare (Diamant de Semilly x Coeur de Nuit) owned by Temple Equestrian LLC, cared for by Duncan Skinner, rode a fast four-fault round as anchors to ensure the team would stay in the top three, marking a third consecutive podium finish for the U.S. Jumping Junior Team at the event. The team finished on a final total of four faults at the conclusion of the class, to take third place behind Sweden and Ireland.
Results
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