Zone 5 Dominates Markel/USHJA Zones 5 and 6 Jumper Team Championships and Platinum Jumper Championships
Traverse City, Mich.—Aug. 12, 2021—Riders from Zones 5 and 6 went head-to-head at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival V in Traverse City, Michigan, for the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships and Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships. Chefs d’Equipe Lisa Goldman-Smolen, Shana Winkle and Elanie Schott helped guide the teams to medal wins.
Zones 5 and 6 Team Medalists
1.10/1.15m Children's/Adult Amateur Zone Jumper
GOLD: Team Cardinals
Sarah Ayer - M.I.A - Zone 6
Emma Gutstein - Espri - Zone 5
Isabelle Burr - Pull The Trigger - Zone 5
Ameera Fullen - Geronimo - Zone 5
SILVER: Team Bobcats
Nora Nauss - Bretzelle D'arthenay - Zone 6
Faith Umland - Diva De Diamant - Zone 5
Katie Brouillet - Jet Setter - Zone 5
Isabella Wood - Boeve's Onedin - Zone 5
BRONZE: Team Badgers
Charlotte Ruff - Luchadora - Zone 5
Tess Von Hemel - Qlipper Des Forets VDL - Zone 5
Stepahanie Renguso - Nora B - Zone 5
1.20/1.30m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper
GOLD: Team Lions
Julia Cornwell - Casario De Soie Z - Zone 5
Mary Roskens - Right This Way - Zone 5
Olivia Lawton - Quite Like It - Zone 5
SILVER: Team Giants
Lori Bidwell - Rashmo Z - Zone 5
Briana Moreno - Rusticus - Zone 5
Angela Swanson - Beele Z - Zone 5
Julia Hasler - Harley David - Zone 5
BRONZE: Team Pistons
Owen Gajoch - Katmandu L - Zone 5
Christopher Ferralez - Cubscout BG - Zone 5
Kylie Schmidt - Quarterletto - Zone 5
Platinum Jumper
GOLD: Team Frogs
Lisa Goldman-Smolen - Sovereign - Zone 5
Ryan Sassmannshausen - Sky High - Zone 5
Natalie Jayne - Columbcille De Reve - Zone 5
Molly Kindness - Strawberry - Zone 5
SILVER: Team Cheetah
Liz Atkins - Rodeo VDL - Zone 5
Michael Burnett - Luxus Liner S - Zone 5
Kyle Perkovich - Rarity - Zone 5
BRONZE: Team Midwest Express
Payton Beerbower - Alfie Z - Zone 5
Carson Ruff - Cuidento Z - Zone 5
Alexandra Veleris - Peter Pan - Zone 5
Nick Novak - Clasic Roc - Zone 5
Zones 5 and 6 Individual Medalists
1.10/1.15m Children's/Adult Amateur Zone Jumper
GOLD: Tess Von Hemel - Qlipper Des Forets VDL - Zone 5
SILVER: Taylor Landstrom - Colina SN - Zone 6
BRONZE: Emma Gutstein - Espri - Zone 5
1.20/1.30m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper
GOLD: Olivia Lawton - Quite Like It - Zone 5
SILVER: Jenna Yamamoto - Quabelle - Zone 5
BRONZE: Lori Bidwell - Rashmo Z - Zone 5
Platinum Jumper
GOLD: Lisa Goldman-Smolen - Sovereign - Zone 5
SILVER: Nick Novak - Clasic Roc - Zone 5
BRONZE: Michael Burnett - Luxus Liner S - Zone 5
Medals and ribbons were awarded to the top three teams, with the gold medal teams receiving embroidered coolers. Individual gold medalists received a variety of awards from CWD, Essex Classics and Straight Arrow, a pair of Parlanti paddock boots, a medal, a ribbon and a cooler.
The USHJA extends special thanks to the Morrissey Management Group, the Traverse City Horse Show, and Great Lakes Equestrian Festival teams for hosting these Championships. The USHJA also thanks official sponsors CWD, Nutrena, Parlanti and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital; title sponsor Markel; and award sponsors Essex Classics and Straight Arrow Family of Brands.
The Zone Jumper Team Championships and Platinum Jumper Championships are part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program, which rewards competitive achievement with education to advance athletes in the sport. 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.
Providing Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper (1.10/1.15m), 1.20/1.25m Junior and Amateur, and 1.30/1.35m Junior and Amateur riders with a competitive team experience and an opportunity to earn Zone Horse of the Year points in their respective jumper sections, the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships are held by zone and consist of both team and individual competition. All Zone Jumper Team Championships competitors are recognized as 2021 USHJA Emerging Jumper Riders. Individual medalists at the Championships are recognized as 2021 Gold Star Emerging Jumper Riders by awarding them a 2021 Gold Star Emerging Jumper Rider pin. At the same time, trainers of these riders are recognized as Gold Star Jumper Coaches and receive specialized pins that denote their title. Riders and trainers who receive the designation are also invited to attend one of the USHJA Gold Star Clinics.
In its second year, the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships are the highest level of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program and are open to qualified juniors, amateurs and professionals competing at 1.40/1.45m fence heights. All Championship competitors are recognized as 2021 USHJA Platinum Jumper Riders. All Individual medalists are designated as USHJA Show Jumping Platinum Athletes and are invited to the USHJA Gold Star Clinics.
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 by Andrew Ryback Photography
