Zone 7 Claims Team Gold at USHJA Zones 7 and 8 Platinum Jumper Championships
Santa Fe, N.M.—July 27, 2019—Team Competition for USHJA Platinum Jumper Championship riders wrapped up day two of the Championship at HIPICO Sana Fe in New Mexico. After two-rounds, Team Stroller from Zone 7 claimed gold.
The Team Championship is a two round modified Nation’s Cup format, which also serves as the second and third individual qualifying classes for the Individual Final. Leading the teams at the Championships were Zone 7 Chef d'Equipe Matt Cyphert and Zone 8 Chefs d'Equipe Jenny Paisley and Laurie Grayson.
Platinum Jumper Team Championship Results
GOLD: Team Stroller
Rider / Horse / Hometown / Status / Zone
Gianna Aycock / Flex A Tia / Argyle, Texas / Professional / Zone 7
Natalee Haggan / MTM Cravitz / Argyle, Texas / Professional / Zone 7
Grant Seger / Catogi / Corpus Christi, Texas / Professional / Zone 7
SILVER: Zone 7 Team
Rider / Horse / Hometown / Status / Zone
Julie Cleveland Beam / Lancelot / Argyle, Texas / Professional / Zone 7
Mindy Coretz / Cafe Crema / Tulsa, Okla. / Professional / Zone 7
Meghan Hurst / Biskit SDD / Baton Rouge, La. / Amateur / Zone 7
BRONZE: Team Snowman
Rider / Horse / Hometown / Status / Zone
Karen Banister / Crespo VDL / Brighton, Colo. / Professional / Zone 8
Sarah Invicta Williams / Foxxy / Santa Fe, N.M. / Professional / Zone 8
Ashley Stannard / Cincenetty GJ Z / Tuscon, Ariz. / Professional / Zone 8
Seger: I think the team experience was really cool. It was the first time I've ever done something like that and I think it brings out a totally new dynamic to these competition. Of course, it's really great to be on a team with Gianna and Natalee, they've both won a bunch of grands prix and been very successful.
Haggan: It was nice to have camaraderie with people I know from home that I compete against and respect their riding very much.
Aycock: It is something that I never thought I would be able to do. I think it is the coolest thing ever. I think that being able to have teammates to root for and to root for you is such an amazing feeling. Having people to walk the course with, having teammates to check in with and truly rooting for each other...it feels like you're part of a clan, a tribe, a team. It's perfect.
Riders will now have a mandatory rest day Saturday before competing in the Individual Final on Sunday, held as an overlay on the $30,000 Sonrisa Week Grand Prix.
Also taking place this week at HIPICO Santa Fe from Zones 7 and 8 are the USHJA Zones Jumper Team Championships.
USHJA extends special thanks to Queenie Productions and the entire HIPICO Santa Fe team for hosting the Championships.
New for the 2019 competition year, the USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships marks the highest level of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program and is open to qualified juniors, amateurs and professionals competing at 1.40/1.45m fence heights. Platinum Championship competitors will be recognized as 2019 USHJA Platinum Jumper Riders, and received comprehensive information during the riders meeting about 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.
Thank you to USHJA official sponsors, Charles Owen, CWD, Parlanti and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, and Platinum Jumper Championship award sponsors Essex Classics and FITS Riding, for their support of these Championships.
For more information about the USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships, including qualifying information, deadlines and Championship specifications, visit ushja.org/PlatinumJumper.
