Northeast Region Medals Awarded at USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships and Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships

Princeton, N.J.—July 7, 2026—Riders from Zones 1 and 2 took to the podiums in the annual USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships and Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships held during Princeton Show Jumping Summer II in Princeton, New Jersey, over July 1-5. Chefs d’Equipe Elizabeth Perry, Cheryl Lemoine, Johanna Hyyppa, and James Benedetto guided over 40 athletes as they competed for top honors in each section. 

 

1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Medalists

Junior/Amateur Team

GOLD: Cedric

Liliana Csupka | Kancon | Zone 2

Clare Friedlander | DH Pepito | Zone 2

Maria Bogdanova-Peifer | Djust Berlin | Zone 2

SILVER: Jet Run

Sofia Jones-Romo | Firoza S | Zone 2

Gwen Depolis | All Class No Color | Zone 2

Roxalana Gretz | Clarissa Purisima | Zone 2

Michelle Korcz | Will Scarlett | Zone 2

BRONZE: Snowman

Eliana Defotis | Bernicio | Zone 2

Logan Boynton | Asentra | Zone 2

Jennifer Platt | Chuma Zuma | Zone 2

 

Junior/Amateur Individual

GOLD: Samantha Teller | Tizimin LS | Zone 2

SILVER: Isabel Wolosky | Chili Pepper | Zone 2

BRONZE: Michelle Korcz | Will Scarlett | Zone 2

"I first heard about the program through social media and then received an invitation email," remembered Friedlander, of Gold Medal Team Cedric. "It immediately seemed like such a welcoming introduction to both championship competition and team events. There’s something special about competing alongside other riders, supporting one another, and working toward a shared goal. "

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.

"The Championships were an incredible experience from start to finish," added Csupka from Team Cedric. "It was so much fun meeting riders from different places, watching everyone compete, and being part of such a positive atmosphere. I'll always remember the friendships and memories we made, and of course, winning gold together."

Zone Jumper Team Medalists

1.10/1.15m Junior/Amateur Team GOLD: Sapphire Jessica Rose | Blue Boy | Zone 2 Sophia Letta | Chanel de Tus | Zone 1 Sophie Sobkowiak | Kitty Price | Zone 1 Payton Neumyer | Lolitta | Zone 1 SILVER: Bold Minstrel Madeleine Lohr | Nashville | Zone 2 Isabel Maroko | Cartoon Tame | Zone 2 William Slater | Hickstead Damiss | Zone 2 BRONZE: The Natural Nicole Deltergo | Liberachi | Zone 2 Alexis Johnson | Glamour Girl | Zone 2 Isabella Eggenberg | Colesta | Zone 2 Jimena Font | Cadeau JH | Zone 2    1.10/1.15m Junior/Amateur Individual  GOLD: Isabella Eggenberg | Colesta | Zone 2 SILVER: Payton Neumyer | Lolitta | Zone 1 BRONZE: Sophie Sobkowiak | Kitty Price | Zone 1

1.20/1.25m Junior/Amateur Team GOLD: Good Twist Alexis Dipasqua Bosacco | Copain | Zone 2 Paige Singer | Zined Blue | Zone 2 Winter Tietjen | Prosper | Zone 2 SILVER: Starman Isabelle Grutkowski | Haribo des Flagues | Zone 1 Gemma Eggleston | Loeki Van Het Lindehof | Zone 1 Temperance Fetterolf | Titus Van De Roeitjes | Zone 3 Pailsey Cramer | Iris E.S. | Zone 4 BRONZE: Nautical Jennifer Emerich | Falino PH | Zone 2 Chelsea Koerper | Tropicool | Zone 2 Heather Collins Villemaire | Big Girl Z | Zone 2   1.20/1.25m Junior/Amateur Individual GOLD: Winter Tietjen | Prosper | Zone 2 SILVER: Alexis Dipasqua Bosacco | Copain | Zone 2 BRONZE: Gemma Eggleston | Loeki Van Het Lindehof | Zone 1

The 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper and Zone Jumper Team 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.

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. Participants are recognized as USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider, with individual medalists recognized as Gold Star Emerging Jumper Riders.

"It feels amazing to be a gold medalist, and winning team gold means a lot to me," remarked Sobkowiak, of Gold Medal Team Sapphire. "The entire team rode amazing both days, and it was really cool to see all of our hard work pay off and be able to cheer for each other."

The remaining 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships for the South Region (Zones 3, 4, and 7) will take place July 7-12 at Tryon Summer V in Mill Spring, North Carolina. The North Central Region (Zones 5 and 6) will take place September 23-27 at Split Rock Fall I in Lexington, Kentucky. The West Region (Zones 8, 9, and 10) will follow from October 14-18 at Temecula Valley National Fall III in Temecula, California.

The remaining Zone Jumper Team for the South Region (Zones 3, 4, and 7) will take place July 14-19 at Tryon Summer VI in Mill Spring, North Carolina. The North Central Region (Zones 5 and 6) will take place September 16-20 during the Split Rock Kentucky National in Lexington, Kentucky. The West Region (Zones 8, 9, and 10) events will follow, set for October 14-18 at Temecula Valley National Fall III in Temecula, California.

"It was a really nice event, and as an Amateur, it's really the only time I've gotten to experience team competition," added Rose, a member of Gold Medal Team Sapphire. "Obviously it's extra exciting because our team won. It was a lot of fun, but it's also added pressure as you're not only competing for yourself, but you're competing for your team." 

The USHJA sends a special thank you to Chef's d'Equipe Elizabeth Perry, Cheryl Lemoine, Johanna Hyyppa, and James Benedetto for their leadership and support throughout the Championships. The USHJA extends its thanks to the team at Princeton Show Jumping for hosting these Championships. The USHJA also thanks official sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti, and Stridefull; 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 USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships, visit ushja.org/lowzonejumper. 

Photos: Paws and Rewind