USHJA Zones 1 and 2 Jump for Team Medals at USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, Presented by SmartPak
Saugerties N.Y.—September 4, 2019—USHJA Zone 1 and 2 hunter riders experienced the thrill of team competition on Saturday, August 31, in the Zone 1 and 2 Children’s and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, presented by SmartPak, hosted by HITS Horse Shows at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York. Taking the gold medal, adult hunter riders Linda Corvari, Danielle Flavin, Emily Weis, and Kaitlin Hofer stood atop the podium as Team Pink.
Riders were divided into four teams and competed in three phases: an under saddle and two classic hunter-style rounds judged by two panels of judges (Jimmy Lee, Laura O’Connor, Brian Lenehan, and John Berkos). Each team had an assigned color with riders wearing armbands representing their team. Many also exhibited team spirit and camaraderie with braided manes and tails done in team colors. Each phase was placed and awarded individually, and the teams with the highest overall scores were crowned gold, silver and bronze medalists.
Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Team Results
GOLD: Pink Team
Rider / Horse / Hometown / Zone
Linda Corvari / Long Valley, N.J. / Surfside / Zone 2
Danielle Flavin / Valatie, N.Y. / Funtimes HS / Zone 2
Emily Weis / Geneseo, N.Y. / Celebration / Zone 2
Kaitlin Hofer / Saddle River, N.J. / SF Peter Pan / Zone 2
SILVER: Lime Team
Rider / Horse / Hometown / Zone
Corinne Macaulay / Bronxville, N.Y. / Pilgrim de Blue Mery / Zone 2
Madelyn Sano / Clifton Park, N.Y. / Mahogany / Zone 2
Missy Palmisciano / Pelham, N.Y. / Arcondo / Zone 2
BRONZE: White Team
Rider / Horse / Hometown / Zone
Isabelle Mesiarik / Pottstown, Pa. / Azuro / Zone 2
Kaitlyn Leahy / Durhamn, Conn. / Hudson aka My Scholarship / Zone 1
Sherrill Woessner / Colchester, Conn. / The Artful Dodger / Zone 1
Team Pink Chef d’Équipe Elizabeth Perry-Merbler of Pittstown, N.J., on her first experience serving as a team coach: “One of my clients qualified and thought I would be a great candidate for a Chef. I was picked and I am so thrilled to be here. I agree with so many of the riders in that I love the team spirit and camaraderie. It’s a really special experience because you rarely get that in this sport. This is another feather I can add to my cap and I’m really excited to be a part of it.
Emily Weis on her mount Celebration and their win in the first over-fences phase: “This is my second year competing in these championships. [Celebration] loves this ring and I have actually been practicing for this big, open space by fox hunting. You can really pick up a gallop and go in [the grand prix ring]. He was great today. He is a former college horse at SUNY Morrisville, and I just purchased him after leasing him last year.”
Linda Corvari on her first time competing in a team format championship: “I appreciate the opportunity to have a team and compete in this format. I spoke to my trainer a few years ago about what an individual sport this is and how I wanted to be able to have an opportunity to ride on a team. Just a few years later and it has evolved into this.”
All riders received polo shirts and tote bags from the Championships' presenting sponsor SmartPak. Medals and ribbons were awarded to the top three teams and the gold medal team receiving embroidered coolers.
The horse-and-rider combinations will go on to compete in the Individual Championship Sunday. The Individual Championship also consists of three phases, including an under saddle, a classic hunter derby-style course and a handy hunter course. Each phase will be placed and awarded individually and the horse-and-rider combination with the highest overall score from all three phases will be crowned Individual Champion.
The USHJA extends special thanks to the HITS Saugerties team. The USHJA also thanks presenting sponsor SmartPak for their generosity and support of the sport.
Release by Jump Media for USHJA. Photo by ESI Photography.
