The USHJA Children's/Adult-Amateur Jumper Championships at HITS Saugerties

Saugerties, NY (September 5, 2016): Riders descended on HITS-on-the-Hudson for a shot at gold in the both the Team and Individual Championship at the USHJA Children’s/Adult Jumper Zones I & II Championships that took place Friday through Sunday at HITS Saugerties.

USHJA Children's Team Jumper Championships

As the Team Final concluded on Saturday, Team 3 from Zone II, guided by Chef d’Equipe James Benedetto, would prove to be the team to beat, bringing home the prestigious gold medal for the Children’s Team victory. The team included members: Prima Bonaventura of Sewell, New Jersey, riding Miss Valken, owned by Heather Bonaventura; Meghan Knapic of Smithtown, New York, riding Billistic, owned by Kennedy Knapic; Alexis Di Pasqua of West Chester, Pennsylvania, riding Reba Dean, owned by Stephen Di Pasqua; and Kathleen (Baudeneau) Full of Scarsdale, New York riding Ditharin. Team 3 finished with 12 total faults, 8 in the first round and 4 in the second round, to claim the win.

Danny Foster of Milton, Ontario, designed the course for the Championships at HITS Saugerties, which presented a quality test for each horse and rider.

“Danny did a great job and of course it’s always perfect here at HITS,” said Zone II Chef d’Equipe James Benedetto. “I want to thank everyone involved in making this program a success, including Tom and the team at HITS. This is a great thing for the young riders as well as the adults.”

The silver medal went to Team 2 from Zone II. The team included members: Jayna Suoninen of Holmdel, New Jersey, riding Bull Run’s Zino Platinum, owned by William Israel; Paige Agrawal of Dix Hills, New York, riding Gitane, owned by Christiane Agrawal; Gabrielle Freund of Manorville, New York, riding No Sunday Sales; and David Eakin of Shamong, New Jersey, riding Cessna 13, owned by KR Horse Sales, LLC.

The bronze medal went to Team 1 from Zone I, guided by Chef d’Equipe Meredith O’Connell. Members on the team were: Eva Fisherman of Brookline, Massachusetts, riding Rock Street; Hannah Robbins of Chester, New Hampshire, riding Opportunity Knocks; and Elise Albertini of New Boston, New Hampshire, riding Suspicious Minds.

“This was my first time as Chef and I really enjoyed it. I would definitely do it again,” said O’Connell. “This program is truly great for riders to be able to ride in a championship format, with multiple rounds over the course of multiple days.”

Place Team                     Rider                               Owner                   Horse 1 Team 3- Zone II Chef- James Benedetto Prima Bonaventura Heather Bonaventura Miss Valken     Meghan Knapic Kennedy Knapic Billistic     Alexis Di Pasqua Stephen Di Pasqua Reba Dean     Kathleen (Baudeneau) Full Kathleen (Baudeneau) Full Ditharin 2 Team 2- Zone II Jayna Suoninen William Israel Bull Run's Zino Platinum     Paige Agrawal Christine Agrawal Gitane     Gabrielle Freund Gabrielle Freund No Sunday Sales     David Eakin KR Horse Sales, LLC Cessna 13 3 Team 1 - Zone I Eva Fisherman Eva Fisherman Rock Street     Hannah Robbins Hannah Robbins Opportunity Knocks     Elise Albertini Elise Albertini Suspicious Minds

 

USHJA Adult-Amateur Team Jumper Championships

The Adult Team 3 from Zone II claimed the gold in the Adult portion of the competition. Chef d’Equipe James Benedetto led the Adult Zone II team, which included: Maria Bogdanova of Oley, Pennsylvania, riding Djust Berlin; Wendy Nunn of Madison, New Jersey, riding Face Value, owned by Chado Farms, Inc.; Kendra Walmer of Reinholds, Pennsylvania, riding Electra, owned by Andrew Ross; and Kimberly Beattie of Mahwah, New Jersey, riding Charmander.

“This competition is a great thing for the sport,” said Zone II Chef James Benedetto. “Before this program, riders didn’t get to compete in a team format until you’ve gone on to much higher levels, which is why when I was asked to do this. I was more than happy to jump onboard.”

The winning Team 3 claimed the gold medal with a total of four faults, zero in the first round and 4 in the second round.

The silver medal went to Team 2 from Zone II: Shelia Sadighi, of Essex Fells, New Jersey, riding Ulano, owned by Corinne Milnamow; Caryann Sculley of Ballston Lake, New York, riding Kilkenny Akira; Stacey Mahoney of New York, New York riding Charisma Blue; and Marissa Fogal of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, riding De Laila, owned by Amoruccio, LLC.

Team 1 from Zone I, guided by Meredith O’Connell, took bronze. The team members were: Shaelyn Kelliher of Auburn, New Hampshire, riding Inquitistive; Michelle Blunda of Epping, New Hampshire, riding My Lovely Louise; Melinda Markvan of Walpole, Massechussetts, riding KEC Clara Belle; and Kate Harkness of Hookset, New Hampshire, riding By Design. 

“The course was great, it was very technical but the riders handled it well,” said Zone I Chef Meredith O’Connell. “I was very proud of all of them, they represented Zone I very well.”