Triumphs and Team Building on the Final Day of the USEF Eventing Young Rider National Championships
Adamstown, Md.—June 29—The U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing Young Rider National Championships finished up today at the Maryland International with an exciting show jumping conclusion, and team and individual scores were tight across all three divisions.
Kate Bell (Area V) headed into the arena this afternoon in the lead in the CCIYJ2*-S aboard her own FE Velvet Black with no rails in hand. While she admits she was nervous, she felt “Axel,” an 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Vagabond de la Pomme x Cleo) gave it his all. They kept all the rails in their cups over Chris Barnard’s show jumping course to take individual gold. Lyman Ordway (Area I) rode Exces de Folie to individual silver, and Katelyn Smith (Area III) and HSH Henry took individual bronze.
“He really jumped well, and there was even one—I kind of gave him a bad distance—and he really got me out and jumped super,” Bell said of her round. “I walked the course like four times, just making sure I didn't forget and really listened to my coach Karen O'Connor and tried to ride exactly how she told me and tried to not let the nerves faze me too much.”
Bell’s had Axel for two years and has produced him herself during that time. “He has such a good mind, and he's so good. And he comes out here and proves himself like this, and I'm so proud of him and myself,” she said. “Working with Karen has been really, really good. I've done a few clinics with her and worked with her in Florida, and so she already knows us a little bit, but it was really good for her to get to know us more. And she's been so supportive, and all of her knowledge is so great, so it was awesome.”
Bell said her biggest takeaway from the weekend was the fun team dinners and team talks. “And then, obviously, my favorite moment was that victory gallop! It was super cool,” she said.
In the team competition, Area III took gold on a score of 138.9. The team included Smith, Ella Hubert (Ardeo Dance Monkey), Juliana Cassar (Cheranimo), and Samuel Moreland (Sir Pollux Z). Canada—Chelsea Lowe (King Edward Of Barrells), Avery Tallman (BDE Olympic Royale), Emma McHugh (Imperial), and Saffron Klotz (Ballingowan Clarity)—earned team silver on a score of 145.2. The combined team from Areas I and II—Ordway, Matt Crutchfield (Independer J W B), Rylie Nelson (Galloway Sunrise), and Berkley Gardner (In Vogue)—earned bronze on a score of 153.6.
“I think there is always some sort of pressure to do well for the team, and going into a big ring, knowing that you're in first definitely plays a role in that, but to conquer that pressure and do well for everyone [was amazing,]” said Cassar.
All the teammates knew each other from home, so to share in the gold medal win was very special. "It's all a team effort, so no one can do it alone,” said Smith.
As for favorite memories, Hubert said, “Galloping around the cross-country track. It was so much fun. The course was just perfect. There were enough questions to really challenge us, but also enough jumps to really just kind of enjoy it and get a flow.”
Charlotte Schaef (Area V) also came into her show jumping round today with little room for error—just .3 penalties separated her from the silver medal in the CCIYJ1*-S.
But she told herself as she headed into the ring that it was just another schooling round to take the pressure off, and she and Tinraher Diamond clinched gold ahead of Tessa Geven (Area III) and Ameristan and Carolyn May (Area III) and Sky Moon.
“It was a little nerve-racking,” she admitted. “But ‘April,’ she's just so perfect. I feel like we're just in sync, and so I was really happy with her. She was amazing. A few distances I had to really ask her to wait to it, but she just listened right when I asked her, and I just couldn't have been more proud.”
Schaef’s win helped boost her team from Area V to the gold medal, finishing on a final score of 106.3. The team also included Olivia Pratt (Ardeo San Diego), Eleanor McClain (Calla Lily), and Emily Griffith (Mr. Chin).
The team from Area II—James Power (Brambleridge Ponder The Truth), Reese Dellangelo (Carlson 119), Ashley Cosenza (Cooley Valentine), and Carly Seus (EHF Casiro Royale) earned silver on a score of 254.2.
The combined team from Area III and VIII—Geven, May, and Sami Turner (Rainstown Covergirl) earned bronze on a score of 1066.4.
While Schaef was thrilled to win team gold, she also enjoyed the team camaraderie throughout the week. Her team got off to a good start when they won the golf cart decorating contest on Thursday.
“It was really fun to bond with my team and represent our area and the community it's built,” she said. “The biggest lesson I've learned this week is that you're not just riding for yourself—you’re riding for your team. And so just in everything you do, you’ve got to represent your Area, and it's a huge responsibility, but it's also a huge accomplishment to be able to go and represent.”
The biggest lesson I learned this week was to never give up and always support your team, no matter what happens,” Pratt added. “I'm most grateful to be here with my team, and it means the world to me for Area V to win.”
Griffith had a tough weekend when she got a technical elimination on cross-country yesterday, but she appreciated the support of her teammates and was ringside cheering them on today. “I definitely learned about teamwork,” she said. “It was my first team experience, and even though I didn't have the best weekend, I'm just very thankful that my team was there to support me. And to come back out here and win the team gold means a lot for Area V—that our team is back and super ready.”
“I think that what I learned this weekend was that every team and every experience that we have together, not only wins, brings us closer together as people,” added McClain.
Maya Clarkson (Area II) came to Young Riders hoping for a smooth weekend as she brought Maks Mojo C back to the upper levels following a neck surgery earlier this year.
The pair moved into the lead after yesterday’s cross-country, and the put in the only double-clear round in the CCI3U25*-S over Barnard’s show jumping course today to take individual gold. Kelsey Seidel (Area V) and Chico’s Man VDF Z earned individual silver, and Luciana Hackett (Area II) and As Good As Cash took home individual bronze.
“I'm just so thrilled for him,” said Clarkson of her 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Mighty Magic x Winter Morning). “It’s really the icing on the cake that he won the championship; I'm so happy that he feels so much better. He's felt the best he's ever felt in his body this weekend. He was amazing. He tried so hard for me—as he always does. I'm really just happy with him and how good he feels and looking forward to the future.
While there were no teams in the three-star division with just five competitors total, Clarkson enjoyed being a part of the Area II group.
“Area II does such a great job, and all of the girls are amazing,” she said. “We have so many people—like in the vet box yesterday, I think there were 10 people around us—and it was pretty special to have that many people just there to support you.”
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