South Region Medalists Crowned at Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships and Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships
Mill Spring, N.C.—July 22, 2026—Riders from Zones 3, 4, and 7 came together at Tryon International Equestrian Center from July 14-19 for the South Region’s Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships and Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships. Over 65 athletes competed across four height sections, all aiming for a spot on the podium. Chefs d’Equipe Quinn Larimer, Tori Bentley, and Britt McCormick led their teams throughout the event.
Zone Jumper Team Medalists
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1.10/1.15m Junior Team GOLD: Snowbound Alivia McGee | Argentino | Zone 4
SILVER: Mainspring Lia Cato | New York's Joy | Zone 4 Jaycee Martinson | Evita P | Zone 4 Jasmine Becton | My Girl | Zone 4 Zakia Kalabani | Benny and the Jetz | Zone 4 BRONZE: Untouchable Jordan Ginty | Dapper W B Z | Zone 7 Kaylee Lucas | Dazzle OHF | Zone 7 Macy Owens | King Kannan RW | Zone 7
1.10/1.15m Junior Individual GOLD: Dakota Sheikh | Guerrera | Zone 4 Macy Owens | King Kannan RW | Zone 7
1.20/1.25m Junior Team GOLD: VIP Tegan Price | CFI Encore | Zone 4
SILVER: Sloopy Brooklyn Hawley | High Tide | Zone 3 Vera Britt | Catch Me | Zone 3 Peyson Parker | Chancy K | Zone 3
BRONZE: Sansablaze Megan McEwan | MTM Carpintero | Zone 7 Camden Leete | Leisker | Zone 7 Sky Bandini-Gondron | Wonder Princess | Zone 7
1.20/1.25m Junior Individual GOLD: Anika Spaeth | I'm Loma VT | Zone 4 SILVER: Michelle Lin | Nastelina Van de Witte Driesendijk | Zone 4 BRONZE: Clara Burnham | Coldplay 31 | Zone 4 |
1.10/1.15m Amateur Team GOLD: Diamant Emma Johnson | Tiny Tina | Zone 4 Bennett Brown | Binge-Watch | Zone 4 Rebecca Hollman | Don Helsing | Zone 4 SILVER: Gemtwist Laura Scalzi | Kaj | Zone 3 Sasha Reinhold | Sir Frost | Zone 3 Ellen Allred | Jaspar HSH | Zone 3 BRONZE: Trail Guide Birgit Powell | CSF Royal Cruz | Zone 4 Mason Plaumann | Hickstead Legend | Zone 4 Olga Zarlenga | Magnific de Reve | Zone 4 Christa Gilroy | Oliver C | Zone 4
1.10/1.15m Amateur Individual GOLD: Jordan Lunney | Qualified | Zone 7 SILVER: Laura Scalzi | Kaj | Zone 3 BRONZE: Gina Laughlin | Adonis Z | Zone 4
1.20/1.25m Amateur Team GOLD: Simon Brooke Ballhaus | Fuego | Zone 3 Erika Fekete | Perignon | Zone 4 Abbey Slaven | Fundament-E | Zone 4
SILVER: Albany Lindsay Shapiro Skrmetta | Power-H | Zone 4 Leah Harrison | Riviera BF | Zone 4 Brittany Kasprack Coleman | G. Breaker | Zone 4 Colby Clifton | Carmelito Blue | Zone 4 BRONZE: Abdullah Kate Downing | Divaro | Zone 7 Hannah Beall | Ghostflower | Zone 7 Stephanie Burkhardt | Dark Temptation | Zone 7
1.20/1.25m Amateur Individual GOLD: Abbey Slaven | Fundament-E | Zone 4 SILVER: Erika Fekete | Perignon | Zone 4 BRONZE: Leah Harrison | Riviera BF | Zone 4 |
Platinum Jumper Medalists
1.30/1.35m and 1.40/1.45m Team
GOLD: Calypso
Anna Antrobius | For Dad | Zone 3
Brittany Kasprack Coleman | Quidam D Cortonie | Zone 4
Catie Staszak | Ijsbeer 111 Z | Zone 4
Lola Bacardi | DSP Undercover | Zone 4
SILVER: Idle Dice
Jenni McAllister | Toulomba | Zone 4
Christina Kelly | Victoire VD Windeweg Z | Zone 3
Mae Mannis | Newtondence VDL | Zone 4
Kate LaBorde | Zibaloubet Z | Zone 4
BRONZE: Jet Run
Cullen Drescher | Oscars Afterparty | Zone 3
Tiffany Sumpter | Elmara's Heywood H Z | Zone 4
Samantha Mackenzie | No Mercy WB | Zone 4
Bailey Benner | Domingo | Zone 4
1.30/1.35m and 1.40/1.45m Individual
GOLD: Kate LaBorde | Zibaloubet Z | Zone 4
SILVER: Catie Staszak | Ijsbeer 111 Z | Zone 4
BRONZE: Samantha Mackenzie | No Mercy WB | Zone 4
"This event was a big goal for me this year, but I still can hardly believe that we ended up with two medals, including Team Gold," Staszak, a member of Team Calypso, remarked. "This result just makes me incredibly proud of my partnership with my horse. There is a unique pressure that comes with riding on a team and being responsible for not only your results, but also others'. It was a privilege to ride with and for my talented teammates."
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.
"To have Fundament-E jump four clear rounds in a championship like this and come away with both Team and Individual Gold was really special," added Slaven, a Team Simon member. " I’ve competed in the Championships before, so I knew it was something I wanted to do again. I really enjoy the format because every round counts, and it’s a great opportunity to represent Zone 4 while competing against talented riders from across the region."
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.
"I had seen friends compete in the program, and it inspired me to give it a try," remembered Sheikh, a member of Gold Medal Team Snowbound. " I wanted to put all of my hard work to the test, challenge myself, and continue growing as a rider while making lifelong friendships and building an even stronger bond with my horse."
The remaining Zone Jumper Team for 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, with the Zone Jumper Team Championships set for October 14-18 at Temecula Valley National Fall III in Temecula, California, and the Platinum Jumper Championships concluding the series October 28-November 1 at National Sunshine I in Thermal, California.
"I wish I could bottle up the feeling of winning our individual championship round and keep it in a jar with me forever!" exclaimed Lunney. "Winning this event means so much to me as an Amateur, mostly on my own with an exceptionally talented horse I have primarily developed myself."
The USHJA extends its thanks to the team at Tryon International Equestrian Center 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 Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships Program, visit ushja.org/PlatinumJumper.
Photos: Natalie Suto Photography
