Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships and Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships Award South Region Medals
Mill Spring, N.C.—July 25, 2025—Riders from Zones 3, 4, and 7 came together at Tryon International Equestrian Center from July 16-20 for the South Region’s Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships and Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships. Over 100 athletes competed across four height sections, all aiming for a spot on the podium. Chefs d’Equipe Quinn Larimer, Tori Bentley, and Kim Cox led their teams throughout the event.
Zone Jumper Team Medalists
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1.10/1.15m Junior Team 1.10/1.15m Junior Individual 1.20/1.25m Junior Team 1.20/1.25m Junior Individual |
1.10/1.15m Amateur Team GOLD: Riviera Wonder Taylor Chamblee | Don Corleone | Zone 4 Rebecca Salazar | Vanity | Zone 7 Sophia Bruny | Murdoxx | Zone 4 SILVER: Good Twist Ellie Weinreb | Limboy von Worrenberg | Zone 4 Riley Fitzgerald | BC Jente | Zone 4 Lindsay Shapiro Skrmetta | Power|H | Zone 4 BRONZE: Nautical Josie Evans | Festival de Vallery | Zone 4 Ava Jenkins | Bellirina | Zone 4 Elizabeth Craddock | Muchachomalo VD Knuffel | Zone 4 Jordyn Zoul | Reticella BG | Zone 4 1.10/1.15m Amateur Individual 1.20/1.25m Amateur Team 1.20/1.25m Amateur Individual |
Platinum Jumper Medalists
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1.30/1.35m Team GOLD: Ksan D'Espirit Kate Laborde | Hakini | Zone 4 Kaitlyn Morris | Contida Heldenlaan Z | Zone 4 Victoria Fazio | Rondalla LS | Zone 4 Kallie Schafers | MTM Ludwig's Lust | Zone 4 Jesse Smith | Nada V | Zone 3 Ann de Michele | QI L | Zone 3 Rebecca Forbes Smith | Ferno van de Hermitage | Zone 3 Fernando Cardenas | Copine van de Langevelden | Zone 3 BRONZE: Sloopy Katie Cox | ARD Reason to Be | Zone 7 Alexandra Pielet | Lununa | Zone 7 Lauren Jost | Bright Saint Denis | Zone 7 Kelli Cruciotti Vanderveen | Windstar | Zone 4 1.30/1.35m Individual GOLD: Kallie Schafers | MTM Ludwig's Lust | Zone 4 SILVER: Ann de Michele | QI L | Zone 3 BRONZE: Stephanie Kasbrick | Passe Partout | Zone 4 |
1.40/1.45m Team GOLD: Milton McKenzie Welch | Leisker | Zone 4 Anna Christina Gansauer | Messthago PS | Zone 4 Alwaleed Alrashid | W Senna | Zone 7 SILVER: Jappeloup Claire Connaghan | Figment | Zone 3 Pilar Ojeda | Jagermeister | Zone 3 John Angus | Frenesie de Mars | Zone 3 BRONZE: Hickstead Mario Garcia | Blake | Zone 4 Jennifer Strickland | Chewbacca | Zone 4 Audrey Muscari | Chester du Roset | Zone 4 1.40/1.45m Individual GOLD: John Angus | Frenesie de Mars | Zone 3 |
"Winning this event was an amazing experience," said Salazar of Gold Medal Team Riviera Wonder. "My trainer told me about the program, and I appreciate that it offers a clear end goal: to qualify and compete. Having this objective gives me something concrete to work towards, which I find very motivating."
The Zone Jumper Team and Platinum Jumper Championships are part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program. The Program serves as the entry point for the Show Jumping Athlete Pathway, a joint USHJA-US Equestrian effort that identifies and nurtures Jumping athletes as they advance through the sport to enhance future success for Olympic and international teams representing the United States.
"I really enjoyed the championship," remarked Brombach, Individual Gold Medalist. "It's a great opportunity for riders to improve in their Jumper careers. I loved the team portion because it’s something that isn't common to experience until you’re at the upper levels."
The Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships are open to Junior and Amateur riders at the 1.10/1.15m and 1.20/1.25m levels, while the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships welcome Juniors, Amateurs, and Professionals at the 1.30/1.35m and 1.40/1.45m levels. Participants are recognized as USHJA Emerging Jumper Riders and USHJA Platinum Jumper Riders, respectively, with individual medalists recognized as Gold Star Emerging Jumper Riders or USHJA Show Jumping Platinum Athletes.
"Being a Gold Medalist feels unreal, and it is going to push me to keep working hard towards further goals," added Stricker, member of Gold Medal Team Sapphire. "Riding on a team is an experience every rider should get to do to help prepare for future riding plans."
Individual medalists and their trainers will receive invitations to one USHJA Gold Star Clinic of their choice within two years, featuring four days of mounted and unmounted instruction from top clinicians and industry experts. The clinics rotate coasts annually, with the 2026 event to be held at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, from January 7-11 with instruction from Nicki Shahinian-Simpson.
Competition continues for the West Region with the Zone Jumper Team Championships for Zones 8, 9, and 10 at the Temecula Valley National Fall III in Temecula, California, on October 15-19, while Platinum Jumper competitors will show at the Desert International Horse Park during National Sunshine I in Thermal, California, on October 30-November 2.
The USHJA extends special thanks to the team at Tryon International Equestrian Center for hosting these Championships. The USHJA also thanks official sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and Parlanti; title sponsor Markel Insurance; and supporting sponsor Essex Classics.
For more information about the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships, visit ushja.org/ZoneJumper. For more information about the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships Program, visit ushja.org/PlatinumJumper.
Photos: Natalie Suto Photography
