Zones 1 and 2 Claim Medals at USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championship

Saugerties, N.Y.—Oct. 6, 2025—Medals were awarded to riders from Zones 1 and 2 at the USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships, held during HITS Hudson Valley Fall Classic I in Saugerties, New York, October 1-5. Chefs d’Equipe Kaitlyn Boggio, Shelbi Heady, and Johanna Hyyppa, guided 15 athletes as they competed for top honors in each section.

“I’m definitely going to remember my jump off from today,” said Kailey Paul, a silver team medalist and gold individual medalist. “My horse felt amazing and was really on his game all week. I loved the course, it suited him perfectly.”

“My favorite part of this class was honestly the team portion,” she continued. “Getting to know all the other riders and forming those connections made the experience even more special.”

The USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships provide riders with a competitive team experience and an opportunity to earn Zone Horse of the Year points in the 1.00/1.05m Junior and Amateur Jumper sections. To qualify, riders must apply and earn a minimum of 20 points in their respective Jumper sections at USEF-licensed competitions by their zone’s deadline, which is 45 days prior to the selected championship. Riders must also be current Active USEF and USHJA Junior or Amateur members in good standing.

During the championship, riders compete in a three-day competition format. Day one entails a first round of the team championship and the first individual qualifying class. Day two consists of the second round of the team championship and the second individual qualifying class. For the last competition day, the top 15 individual finalists from the qualifying classes return to jump for the individual championship title.

“These Jumper Championships are such a great opportunity for up-and-coming riders to experience the team and individual format,” said Johanna Hyyppa, Chef d’Equipe for the Zone 1 Team. “USHJA does an amazing job making it so inviting.”

“It’s great championship practice for young riders,” added Shelbi Heady, Chef d’Equipe for the Zone 2 Team. “They learn how to perform under pressure and think about the team, not just the individual result.”

One more USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships is scheduled for the 2025 season. Riders from Zones 9 and 10 will wrap up the season in Temecula, California, at the Temecula Valley Fall National III, October 15-19.

The USHJA extends special thanks to the team at HITS-on-the-Hudson for hosting this Championship. The USHJA also thanks Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and Supporting Sponsor Essex Classics.

For more information about the USHJA 1.00/1.05m Junior/Amateur Zone Jumper Championships, visit ushja.org/lowzonejumper.

Photos: ESI Photography