Zone 10 Tops Podium in Children's and Adult Amateur Team Competition at USHJA Zones 9 & 10 Jumper Team Championships

Thermal, Calif.—November 10, 2019—The USHJA Zones 9 & 10 Jumper Team Championships for 1.10/1.15m Children's and Adult Amateur Jumpers had an exciting Team Competition Saturday with Zone 10 earning gold medals Saturday morning at the Desert International Horse Park's National Sunshine Series II. 

The Team Competition is a two-round modified Nation’s Cup format, which also serves as the second and third individual qualifying classes for Sunday’s Individual Final.

Six teams of 1.10/1.15m Children's Jumpers took on the course set by internationally-renowned course designer Alan Wade and ultimately it was Zone 10 Team 6 who stood atop the podium to accept gold medals on a zero-fault score. Guiding the winning team was Chef d'Equipe Steve McAllister. Zones 9 and 10 jumped off for bronze and silver, with the team from Zone 9 bringing home silver and Zone 10 Team 5 finishing in the bronze medal position.

All three riders on the gold medal team were participating in the Championships for the first time after witnessing the success of their friends and family at the event in prior years.

Hannah Cowdrey said of the team environment, "It’s really nice having people support you. I didn’t know my teammates before and now I feel like we’re good friends. But it's still difficult because you have to ride for your team and not just yourself."

With their minds now on Sunday's Individual Final, Tyler Hardin's preparation plans are to "go back to the barn, have some pasta, groom my horse and take care of him and then help my mom and our friends with their big classes later today."

Zone 10 Team 6 topped the Children's podium, riding fault-free with Chef d'Equipe Steve McAllister. Photo by: Tori Bilas/USHJA

The 1.10/1.15m Adult Amateur team Championship was topped by Zone 10 as well, captained by Chef d'Equipe Gry McFarlane. After every team member jumped clear in the first round of competition, their team confidence was high. They finished the two-round competition on a score of four to take the gold medal. All four team members were first-timers in the USHJA Championships and spoke highly of their experiences competing as a team and how much they enjoyed cheering on one another.

Gold medalist Kathleen Butler fought against unlikely circumstances to win the Team Championship. "I did [these championships] because my horse is about to turn 20 and I just came back from a severe leg injury. I took nine months off and he was going to be retired, so we took him out of retirement we started winning everything and we qualified! I thought this was a really great award for us both," she said while beaming about her horse, Tristan.

Butler went on to speak about the experience she had being part of a team: "I like the camaraderie, meeting other people, and not just competing against each other but competing with each other. It’s really special cheering on other people, not just yourself."

Zone 10 Team 3, led by Gry MacFarlane, topped the Adult Amateur podium. Photo by: Tori Bilas/USHJA

1.10/1.15m Children's Zone Jumper Team Results

GOLD: Zone 10 Team 6 (Steve McAllister)

Rider / Horse / Hometown / Zone

Hannah Cowdrey / Estelle / Camarillo, Calif. / Zone 10

Tyler Hardin / Arnell’s Loaded Weapon / New Cuyama, Calif. / Zone 10

Mia Park / Esconial / San Marino, Calif. / Zone 10

 

SILVER: Zone 9 Team 1 (Philippa Melski)

Rider / Horse / Hometown / Zone

Zoey Buchanan / Appletini / Portland, Ore. / Zone 9

Riley Heath / Lothello / Lake Oswego, Ore. / Zone 9

Reagan Tomb / Hello Punky / Bend, Ore. / Zone 9

 

BRONZE: Zone 10 Team 5 (Christine Trstensly)

Rider / Horse / Hometown / Zone

Amber Ayyad / Beauwaniki / Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. / Zone 10

Caroline Burke / Centuro / Atherton, Calif. / Zone 10

Mason Milo / Calibro / Rocklin, Calif. / Zone 10

 

1.10/1.15m Adult Amateur Zone Jumper Team Results

GOLD: Zone 10 Team 3 (Gry MacFarlane)

Rider / Horse / Hometown / Zone

Kathleen Butler / Tristan / Westlake Village, Calif. / Zone 10

Tess Kersey / Moana / Long Beach, Calif. / Zone 10

Anneke Power / U Rascal / Woodside, Calif. / Zone 10

Riley Thomas / Jack Be Nimble / Santa Rosa Valley, Calif. / Zone 10

 

SILVER: Zone 10 Team 2 (Elizabeth Kilham)

Rider / Horse / Hometown / Zone

Jennifer Elliott / Caldiano / Oceanside, Calif. / Zone 10

Lauren McMahon / Galina / Davis, Calif. / Zone 10

Giana Terranova / Pistol Pete / Mission Viejo, Calif. / Zone 10

 

BRONZE: Zone 9 Team 1 (Megan Jordan)

Rider / Horse / Hometown / Zone

Leah Lively / Kolibrie V / Tualatin, Ore. / Zone 9

Hanna Morris / Armani SP / Issaquah, Wash. / Zone 9

Caroline Strek / Catoya / Eugene, Ore. / Zone 9

Medals and ribbons were awarded to the top three teams, with the gold medal team receiving embroidered coolers. Sunday will conclude the USHJA Zones 9 and 10 Jumper Team Championships with the Individual Final.

Also taking place this week at Desert International Horse Park from Zones 9 & 10 are the USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships, Zone Jumper Championships for 1.20/1.25m and 1.30/1.35m Juniors and Amateurs, and the USHJA Children’s and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, presented by SmartPak.

The USHJA extends special thanks to the entire Desert International Horse Park team for hosting the Championships.

For more information about the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships, visit ushja.org/ZoneJumper. For more information about the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program, visit ushja.org/EmergingJumper

USHJA extends its gratitude to our official sponsors Charles OwenCWDParlanti and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, and our award sponsors Essex Classics and FITS Riding, for making these programs possible.