SAUGERTIES, NY (September 8, 2012) – The National PHA Junior Medal Final took to the all-new indoor arena at HITS-on-the-Hudson last night and welcomed 39 riders. It was Meg O’Mara who first earned a score of 87.5 and returned to out-test five riders with a perfect ride and earn the blue.
This week marked the debut of the indoor arena at HITS-on-the-Hudson, which was delivered to Saugerties, New York especially for HITS Championship Weekend. O’Mara, of Rumson, New Jersey rode to medal final glory aboard Elvenstar Farm’s Vancouver who has only just arrived at the show grounds Thursday evening.
“He was perfect. Competing inside is spooky for a lot of horses, but I just got him in front of my leg and he was so soft and smooth over the whole course,” said O’Mara of Vancouver’s performance.
The PHA Junior Medal was not the first victory for O’Mara and Vancouver – the pair also rode to a win in yesterday’s Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Medal at HITS Saugerties to go undefeated together.
“The indoor was intimidating,” admitted O’Mara. “There were several jumps right off the turns, but it was great exposure and a great course.”
O’Mara earned awards, courtesy of the Professional Horsemen’s Association, including a $2,000 scholarship. The 18-year-old rider is currently looking forward to focusing on her Amateur Jumper career.
O’Mara sat third after the first round with the top score of 89 going to Katherine Bundy of Weston, Connecticut. Bundy and Windsor Farm Sales’ Amicello ultimately finished in second. The second highest score in the first round went to Alyssa Bokor of Williamsville, New York who finished in fourth in the irons of her own Carafino. Addison Gierkink ended the first round with a score of 86, and used a flawless final test to put her and Meredith Stafford’s Flying Colors in third overall. Rounding out the top five was Sydney Smith of Madison, Connecticut aboard her own Calimero with a first-round score of 87.
Coming up this evening in the Indoor Arena will be the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final as equitation at HITS Championship Weekend continues. Action will get underway at 7pm. Click here to view an order of go for tonight’s class. Fifty-five are scheduled to compete while Meg O’Mara and Vancouver chase an equitation hat trick.
About the Professional Horsemen’s Association
The Professional Horsemen’s Association of America, Inc., otherwise known as the PHA, is a self-contained benevolent organization and consists of 16 Chapters throughout the United States with over 900 Professional members. The PHA gives aid and sustenance to needy horsemen, and has a scholarship fund which provides financial assistance to further educate the children of professional members. The PHA also continues to promote and foster the care and protection of horses through education at the local, state and federal levels. For additional information on the PHA, including the complete qualifying specifications for this year’s National PHA Medal Finals, a list of Chapters, or to become a member, please visit NationalPHA.com.
National PHA Junior Medal Final
| Place | Horse | Owner | Rider |
| 1 | Vancouver | Elvenstar Farm | Meg O’Mara |
| 2 | Amicello | Windsor Farm Sales | Katherine Bundy |
| 3 | Flying Colors | Meredith Stafford | Addison Gierkink |
| 4 | Carafino | Alyssa Bokor | Alyssa Bokor |
| 5 | Calimero | Sydney Smith | Sydney Smith |
| 6 | Lazio | Redfield Farm | Sophie Reiter |
| 7 | Agostino | Hannah Patten | Hannah Patten |
| 8 | Urban | Rose Hill Farm | Michelle Anderson |
| 9 | Tesoro | Jordynn Shaffer | Jordynn Shaffer |
| 10 | Raleigh | Monty Kelly | Sophie Povirk |
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