Athletes in Zones 3 and 4 Earn Medals in USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championship

Mill Spring, N.C.—July 16, 2025—Riders from Zones 3 and 4 took to the podiums in the annual USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships at Tryon International Equestrian Center over July 9-13. More than 55 riders competed across two sections while Chefs d'Equipe Tori Bentley, Kerri Langhorne, and Quinn Larimer oversaw the competition.

"This championship is a culmination of hard work, dedication, and the support of an amazing team. Competing as part of a team was especially meaningful; it allowed me to connect with other riders in a way that I would not have otherwise," exclaimed KatieMae Sweeney, a Junior gold medalist and individual bronze medalist. "Outside the show ring, bonding with teammates was the highlight of my competition experience. Being able to compete as a team in a predominantly individual sport was a unique experience that I enjoyed!"

Junior Team GOLD: Abdullah Katiemae Sweeney | Alpine's Revolution | Zone 3 Madyson Rylee | Quality Bravo Z | Zone 3 Isla Scullion | Cat Sherry | Zone 3 Spencer Dyson | Excellent | Zone 3 SILVER: Sapphire  Hailey Savage | CR Poetic | Zone 7 Mollie Lynch | Bellini | Zone 7 Monty Holmsten | Chico P | Zone 7 Avery Smith | Love Sun | Zone 4  BRONZE: Calypso Ian Mears | Nala | Zone 4 Sarah Wolf | Rochefort | Zone 4  Olivia Norgart | Sari GP Z | Zone 4  Isabelle Welch | SL Sanhaco | Zone 4 Junior Individual GOLD: Monty Holmsten | Chico P | Zone 7 SILVER: Kathryn Granger | Holy Dermus PP | Zone 3 BRONZE: KatieMae Sweeney | Alpine's Revolution | Zone 3

Amateur Team GOLD: Team 7 Lynn Yoos | Fernhill Kudos | Zone 4 Kathryn Motes | Ozana | Zone 4 Kaitlin Lively | RSH Glamorous | Zone 7 SILVER: Sympatico Margaret Brown | Cooley Dream | Zone 3 Caroline Anderson | Second Flight | Zone 3 Jennifer Blades | Primdamear | Zone 3 Ali Seferovich | Elliminopee | Zone 3 BRONZE: Gemtwist Laurie Birnbach | Va Bien Z | Zone 4 Kati Borah | Que Onda | Zone 4 Madeline Cunningham | Fortitudo | Zone 4 Jessica Steindorff | Tobias Van Kreyel | Zone 4 Amateur Individual GOLD: Lynn Yoos | Fernhill Kudos | Zone 4 SILVER: Kati Borah | Que Onda | Zone 4 BRONZE: Kaitlin Lively | RSH Glamorous | Zone 7

"Coming here to compete in the USHJA Zone Jumper Championship has been fulfilling. My horse, Que Onda, and I had to forfeit last year due to me tearing my ACL, but we came back to the show ring and qualified this year," reflected Borah, who earned a silver medal in the Amateur Individual division and a bronze team medal. "My favorite thing about this sport is the people. My trainer, Dani Grice, has trained me since I was 9 years old, and I think we both shed tears when I completed my jump-off round."

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 the 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. New for 2025, there will be jump-offs to break ties for each championship's Junior or Amateur Individual Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals.

"I absolutely enjoyed the Zone Jumper Championship from a parent perspective," Erin Sweeney said, parent to Zone 3 athlete KatieMae Sweeney. "So much good-natured fun, sportsmanship, and friendship [was had]."

Four additional USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Jumper Championships are set to take place during the 2025 competition season. The next championship will be held during Summer in the Rockies VI in Parker, Colorado, from July 16-20, and will feature riders from Zones 7 and 8. Following that, Princeton Show Jumping Fall 1 in Skillman, New Jersey, will host competitors from Zones 1 and 2 from September 17-21. Split Rock Fall 2 in Lexington, Kentucky, will welcome riders from Zones 5 and 6 from September 24-28. The season will conclude at the Temecula Valley Fall National III in Temecula, California, from October 15-19, with championships for Zones 9 and 10.

The USHJA extends special thanks to the team at Tryon International Equestrian Center for hosting this Championship. The USHJA also thanks Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and Parlanti. 

For more information about the USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships, visit ushja.org/lowzonejumper. 

Photos: Natalie Suto Photography