Tag Archives: USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals

T. J. O’Mara Comes from Behind to Win USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – East

T. J. O’Mara and Kaskade (The Book LLC)

Gladstone, N.J. – The 2016 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – East came to close on Sunday following four phases of intense competition amongst the field of 57 top young riders. Beginning Saturday with Phases I and II, the field was then narrowed down on Sunday following Phase III to the final four who performed over a shortened course on their own horse, as well as the horses of the other finalists. T. J. O’Mara was ultimately crowned the 2016 champion. Riding Kaskade, O’Mara sat in fifth place overall after day one, but impressed judges Kristen Coe and Karen Healey in Sunday’s Phases III and IV with impeccable performances over the challenging courses.

Competition commenced Saturday morning with Phase I, the flat phase, where riders entered the ring in small groups to demonstrate their aptitude for executing the questions asked by the judges. Riders worked their horses at all gaits, showing collection and extension, and movements such as haunches-in, shoulder-in, and a halt and rein back. Daisy Farish (Lexington, Ky.) made a strong impression early on aboard Nathalie De Gunzburg’s Ganjana, winning the phase with a score of 92. McKayla Langmeier (East Grandby, Conn.) was not far behind in second on a score of 90, while Taylor St. Jacques (Glenn Allen, Va.) rounded out the top three on an 89. O’Mara (Rumson, N.J.) and Walstib Stables LLC’s Kaskade earned a score of 86 and putting them in 11th on the leaderboard.

For Phase II, judges Coe and Healy opted to include three of eleven gymnastic exercises developed by Beezie Madden and Anthony D’Ambrosio, which were published and released to qualified riders and trainers over the summer. D’Ambrosio was present as Technical Delegate to set the courses to the correct specifications, a role he also fulfilled at the West Coast Final where Peyton Warren was the Champion in September.

As in the West Final, the Phase II course included a vertical-vertical combination in a line with an oxer-oxer combination, jumped in both directions. Coming off the right lead, judges asked for a forward five strides between the combinations and returning over the line off the left lead, to steady the horse for six strides. Vivian Yowan (Lexington, Ky.) riding McLain Ward’s Clearline topped Phase II with a beautifully executed round that scored 93, moving her up from eighth to second overall going into day two. Farish placed second in the phase, matching her flat score of 92, to continue to lead the field overall. Langmeier moved into third overall with a Phase II score of 90.75. On the strength of a 91.50 score, O’Mara began his ascension up the leaderboard, landing in fifth at the end of day one.

Phase III asked a number of questions of the riders throughout the 12-obstacle track again  designed by the judges and built by D’Ambrosio, that included three one-stride double-combinations. The course was demanding from the start, beginning over a triple-bar set at the end of the arena, requiring riders to approach off the turn. Fences eight, nine, and ten, a wall to an oxer to a single, were off-set on a serpentine, necessitating thoughtful and careful riding before the last line that included an oxer to a double-combination over liverpools. O’Mara took the narrow win with a fluid and smart ride over the track that was rewarded with a score of 92. With excellent performances from all the riders at the top of the leaderboard the scores were very close. Yowan finished second on 91.50, Sophie Simpson (Wellington, Fla.) moved into a coveted finalist position with a score of 91 aboard Ashland Farms’ Breckenridge, and Farish rounded out the top four with 90.50.

Daisy Farish and Ganjana (The Book LLC)
Daisy Farish and Ganjana (The Book LLC)

Featuring the top four riders on the overall leaderboard following three phases, Phase IV tested the riders’ abilities to catch ride three different horses over a nine-effort track. In round one of the ride-off, the riders presented their own horses over the winding course. Farish maintained her three-phase lead going into the final event, but all four finalists started equal in Phase IV where she ran into trouble in rounds one, two, and four. Following a costly refusal at fence four aboard her original mount Ganjana in round one, she dropped rails on Yowan and Simpson’s mounts, leaving the door open for the other three finalists who rose brilliantly to the occasion. O’Mara rode with quiet confidence aboard each horse, executing near foot-perfect courses to secure the Championship title with a score of 355. Like O’Mara, Simpson went from strength-to-strength throughout the weekend, climbing the leaderboard from an eighth place finish in Phase I to Reserve Champion. In Phase IV, Simpson earned the two highest scores, earning a 92 aboard both her own horse and O’Mara’s Kaskade. Yowan placed third and Farish finished in fourth.

Speaking to the difficulty of the final phase, O’Mara, who finished fourth in the 2015 Final, said, “It’s hard because you really have to show who you are as a rider. I hadn’t seen the [other three] horses go and didn’t really have an idea of how they would ride so I had to have confidence in myself as a rider. I knew I could focus and put in a good ride regardless of the horse.”

O’Mara was awarded the French Leave Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by the Gerald A. Nielsen Family. He also received an engraved iPad mini from Platinum Performance. Max Amaya and Stacia Madden, who train O’Mara, took home the Leading Trainer(s) Award, donated by the late Mr. Hugh J. B. Cassidy, III. The Grappa Trophy, donated by Sarah Willeman, was awarded to McLain Ward’s Clearline, Yowan’s entry, whom the judges chose as the best horse of the competition.

Complete Results

Prior to the start of Phase IV, USEF Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals were awarded in recognition of wins in Talent Search Classes. Bronze medals are awarded to riders who win at least five classes, Silver to those who win at least 10 classes, and the coveted Gold goes to riders with 20 or more wins.

The medals were awarded as follows:

Gold: Alexandria Desiderio

Silver: Catherine Apostol, Katherine Bundy, and Madison Goetzmann

Bronze: Elizabeth Ekberg, Coco Fath, Carly Hoft, Hayley Mairano, and Taylor St. Jacques

On the West Coast, Ransome Rombauer was awarded a Gold medal.

Learn more about the Talent Search Program

From the USEF Communications Department

Peyton Warren Secures 2016 USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – West Title

Peyton Warren and Casmir Z (McCool)

San Juan Capistrano, Calif. – Always a test of mindfulness and skill, the four phases of the 2016 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – West illustrate the demands on a show jumper. Nineteen qualified riders began the finals on Friday, which after three phases were narrowed down to a final four who then demonstrated their abilities to ride a course on four different horses. Sitting on top going into the final phase, Peyton Warren (Rancho Murieta, Calif.) emerged as the 2016 champion. Riding Casmir Z, Warren’s style and experience gave her the edge to secure the win.

“It means the world to me to win a Final like this because I’m passionate about the jumpers, and that’s what I ultimately want to do for a career,” Warren stated. “I have a lot of respect for this Final because I knew the goal was to have my horse prepared to jump the final round to the best of his ability. And I could feel him accomplishing that.”

The challenges commenced on Friday morning with Phase I, when riders entered the ring in small groups showing their skill with the required flat questions asked by judges Cynthia Hankins and Schuyler Riley. Riders worked their horses at all gaits, showing collection and extension, and movements such as haunches-in, shoulder-out, half-pass, and counter canter on a circle. Warren led that phase with a score of 97, with Megan Hilton (Seattle, Wash.) and Michael Williamson (Loomis, Calif.) a very close second and third, with scores of 96.5 and 96, respectively.

With a new format this year, Riley, in the role of Finals judge, developed the Phase II course, which included three of eleven gymnastic exercises developed by Beezie Madden and Anthony D’Ambrosio, as well as some of her own exercises. D’Ambrosio was present as Technical Delegate, and helped set the courses to the correct specifications.

Riders were given an option from fences 1 to 3 that were set equidistantly in a ‘U-shape’ off the left-lead. They could ride four strides between 1 and 2, and six strides between 2 and 3, or the reverse, six strides initially and then four strides from 2-3. Notably all of the top four chose to ride the four to six option. Other questions on course included a vertical-vertical combination in a line with an oxer-oxer combination, jumped in both directions. Going away from home, judges asked for an opening five strides and coming towards home to collect the horse for six strides. Hilton topped this phase with a 91; and with a 90 for Warren, she was still quite close to the lead. This phase had a 1.5 multiplier, which meant the two riders at the top were just one point apart, with 233 and 232. And with no other scores in the nineties, next best was Serena Anand (Coto de Caza, Calif.) with 214.5, followed by Williamson with 213.

Phase III asked a number of questions of the riders over a 16-effort track, designed by Cynthia Hankins, with D’Ambrosio building the course. Featuring a multiplier of two, this phase often changes the standings. Returning first, and sitting 19th at the time, Samantha Gastelum (Trabuco Canyon, Calif.) executed an impressive round, scoring 89, which ultimately moved her up to 10th place overall. Halie Robinson (Santa Barbara, Calif.) also rode well, earning an 85, which moved her from 13th to fifth overall.

Once again, Warren commanded the track, riding Casmir Z beautifully for a 92 score, the only ninety score of the round. Anand, Williamson, and Hilton scored 84, 80, and 79, to finalize the top four going into the Final Phase.

The nine effort Phase IV for the final four tested the riders’ abilities to not only catch ride three different horses but to try to bring out the best in each mount. Warren, who has a plethora of catch riding miles, executed solid tracks on each mount, and once again earned impressive scores in the nineties. Peyton’s final score of 374 was unbeatable. Second to Warren was Anand, with an overall total of 340, followed by Hilton at 326 and Williamson in fourth with 319.

Not new to this challenge, Warren had competed at these Finals before. “This was my third year doing the Finals. Last year, I finished in the top 10 with a horse I had done Young Riders on the same year.”

All of the top four competitors agreed that the format of the final evolved from one phase to the next, and tested horsemanship as well as technique. The mission of the Final to “test a rider’s ability to ride a jumper-style course effectively while maintaining the classic American forward style of riding… and build on preparing the next generation of international jumping riders” was truly in alignment.

Warren was focused and not fearful of this multi-phase test of her skills. “Shockingly, I wasn’t nervous going into this particular Final. I was lucky enough to have my horse a month or so before the Final so I could work with him at home on the flat and create a strong bond, so when I got to the show there was no further work I needed to accomplish,” the champion explained. “I was very confident in my ability and my horse’s rideability. This was most important to me because I usually have to get used to a horse the week I show it, since I do mostly catch riding. I saw the Final as challenging, but the tracks were so much fun to ride on my horse.”

Warren was awarded the Denali Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Maya Hamburger. She also received an iPad from Platinum Performance, engraved with the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals logo. Jill Humphrey of JH SportHorses, who trains Warren, took home the Leading Trainer Award, donated by the late Mr. Hugh J. B. Cassidy, III. The Gulliver Trophy, donated by Karen Healey, was awarded to Megan Hilton’s Cantoblanco, whom the judges chose as the best horse of the competition.

The Talent Search Program plays an important role in the rider pipeline as it addresses the principal that form follows function and that it is important for a rider to have equitation basics and a solid jumper seat position in order to become an effective jumper rider. The Talent Search classes test a rider’s ability to ride a jumper style course effectively while maintaining the classic American forward style of riding. The Talent Search program fosters this tradition in U.S. Show Jumping and builds on preparing the next generation of international jumping riders. Learn more at usef.org/talentsearch.

From the USEF Communications Department
Courtesy of Blenheim EquiSports

Hesslink Claims 2014 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals East Title

Geoffrey Hesslink and Canny Windsor Z (The Book LLC)

Gladstone, N.J. – The 2014 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals East came to an exciting conclusion Sunday at the USET Foundation Headquarters as Geoffrey Hesslink was crowned champion. Following the completion of Phase III, Andre Dignelli-trainees, Hesslink with Peacock Ridge LLC’s Canny Windsor Z, Lillie Keenan with Isabelle Caccamise’s Catwalk 19, and Caitlin Boyle with Chansonette Farm LLC’s Zentina B, joined Stacia Madden-trained Megan MacPhearson with Meridian Partners LLC’s Class Action atop the leaderboard. The four were called back for the final Phase where each rider completed an eight-obstacle course on their own horse, and then the three other riders’ horses.

Hesslink (Shelburne, Vt.) turned heads throughout the weekend with stylish performances in all phases to capture the attention of the judges and spectators. He earned the coveted Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals title after finishing Phase IV on a total of 371, posting the highest totals of the afternoon on Catwalk 19 and Canny Windsor Z, 95 and 94, respectively, as well as earning a 92 on Class Action and 90 on Zentina B.

“He looked totally at ease; every round he just kept doing it and then with the change of horses he just kept nailing it,” said Jimmy Torano, who judged alongside Laura Kraut.

At 19 years old Hesslink has aged out of the junior division and came to Gladstone feeling he was ready to win his first national title.

“It hasn’t really hit me yet,” said Hesslink. “I didn’t expect it, and I am very excited and grateful. I was nervous because this is my only final, but I was confident because we were over prepared for this event. I felt like I had a chance.”

Keenan (New York, N.Y.) earned the Reserve Champion title, finishing Phase IV on a score of 366, earning an 87 on Catwalk 19, a 95 on Class Action, a 92 on Canny Windsor Z, and 92 on Zentina B.

Boyle (Hampshire, Ill.), who had the highest score of Phase III a 96, collected third place on a Phase IV score of 364, riding to scores of 86, 97,90, and 91 on Catwalk 19, Class Action, Canny Windsor Z, and Zentina B, respectively. MacPherson (Boulder, Co.) finished fourth on 337 after riding the four horses to scores of 75, 80, 88, and 94.

Daisy Farish (Versailles, Ky.), who led competition after two phases, finished in fifth place. After scoring an 86 in Phase III she stood tied with Keenan on an overall score of 357. However, the tie was broken and the eventual Reserve Champion advanced to Phase IV as she had the higher score in Phase III, an 88.

The Grappa Trophy was awarded to Zentina B as the best horse of the competition.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, visit: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alljumping/sjTalentSearch.aspx.

Farish Seizes First Day Lead at USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East

Daisy Farish and Lisalba (The Book LLC)

Gladstone, N.J. – The 2014 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East kicked off Saturday with the first two phases of competition at the USET Foundation Headquarters. The field of 55 juniors and young riders began the day under grey, rainy skies demonstrating their proficiency on the flat and returned in the afternoon to perform over a gymnastics course designed by Judges Laura Kraut and Jimmy Torano. At the end of the first day of competition Daisy Farish stands atop the leaderboard after two strong efforts.

Farish (Versailles, Ky.) and Christina Antonucci’s Lisalba lead the way on a two-phase score of 185 after scoring 92 and 93, respectively. The pair entered the gymnastics portion of competition standing in second place overall but climbed one spot after posting the highest score of the day in the gymnastics.

Geoffrey Hesslink (Shelburne, Vt.) stands just two points behind Farish on a score of 183 with Peacock Ridge LLC’s Canny Windsor Z. They earned scores of 91 on the flat and 92 in the gymnastics to lay second.

Lillie Keenan (New York, N.Y.) and Isabelle Caccamise’s Catwalk 19 earned scores of 92 and 89 and are currently third on a score of 181. Rounding out the top four is Caitlin Boyle (Hampshire, Ill.) with Chansonette Farm LLC’s Zentina B on a score of 180 (88 and 92 in Phases I and II).

In the flat phase, Ali Trischler (Southport, Conn.) posted the highest score of the day on the flat, a 94, while Farish and McKayla Langmeier (East Granby, Conn.) recorded the top score in the gymnastics with a 93.

The 2014 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East is being live-streamed on USEFNetwork.com at http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014TalentSearch/.

To learn more about the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, visit: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alljumping/sjTalentSearch.aspx.

Sydney Hutchins Wins 2014 USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West

Sydney Hutchins and Sorcerer (McCool)

Lexington, Ky. – After two days of tests, Sydney Hutchins found herself leading the victory gallop of the 2014 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Savannah Dukes finished in second, with Mitchell Endicott in third and Michael Williamson in fourth.

After a demanding Flat Phase where USEF Talent Search Final judges Ronnie Beard and DiAnn Langer worked the riders in groups, Ransome Rombauer and Alexis Graves’ Lalonde took the lead with a strong score of 88. On her heels were Genevieve Meyer and Coral Reef Lord G with a score of 86, and Sarah Jane Haskins and Cincinetti in third with 85.

Saturday night the riders tackled the Gymnastics Phase, where their scores counted one-and-a-half toward their overall ranking and determine the order for the Jumping Phase in the Indoor Arena. Heading into Phase II, 29 competitors had their work cut out for them with a challenging course designed by the judges.

Hutchins and her own Sorcerer took first place after the second phase, earning 83 points for a total of 165. Meyer held on to second place with 78 points in Phase II and a total of 164 points. Savannah Dukes and Chincharro Z took over third place after earning 81 points in the second phase for a total of 162.5 points.

“Eleven riders came into the Gymnastics Phase with scores in the 80s,” said judge Ronnie Beard. “The Gymnastics course was set to test a rider’s ability to lengthen and shorten strides and to ride through tight turns. We rewarded riders who were able to execute the course effectively according to their horse ability. We are pleased with the turn out in California.”

Competition concluded Sunday afternoon with Phases III and IV in the Grand Prix Field. The Show Jumping Phase counted for double the score, where the Gymnastics Phase counted 1.5 and the Flat Phase was a multiplier of one.

After Phase III, Hutchins maintained first place, earning 82 points for the test and a total of 319 points. Dukes jumped a spot to second place after spring 83 points in the jumping phase for a total of 328.5. Michael Williamson and his own Long Island Ice Tea garnered 81 points in the phase for a total of 323. Mitchel Endicott and Pegasus Show Stable Inc.’s Avion were in fourth with 79 points in Phase III and a total of 305, to earn the last spot in the jump-off.

In the final phase, Hutchins, Dukes, Williamson, and Endicott entered a ride-off, where the riders negotiated a shorter course on their own horse, and then again on each of the other top four horses. Hutchins won the jump-off with 307 points. Dukes finished in second with 305, Endicott earned 272 points for third place, and Williamson finished in fourth with 262 points.

For more about the 2014 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, visit: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alljumping/sjTalentSearch.aspx.

USEF Announces Dates & Locations of 2014 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the following dates and locations for the 2014 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals.

Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West: September 19-21, 2014; Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East: October 3-5, 2014; USET Foundation Headquarters, Gladstone, N.J.

For more information or questions about the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talents Search Finals, contact Amy Serridge via email at aserridge@usef.org.

Learn more about the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals at www.usef.org.

Eighty-four Riders to Contest the 2011 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East

Lexington, KY – The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2011 and this year’s competition is a strong as ever. The championship style competition again hosts finals for the top up-and-coming junior and young riders on both the east and west coasts. This weekend all eyes will be on the U.S. Equestrian Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ for the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East. Two weeks ago Demi Stiegler topped a field of more than 40 riders judged by Sue Ashe and Molly Cawley-Ashe in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – West at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East

The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East will host 84 of the top young competitors from the hunter and jumper ranks. Making up the strong field that descends upon Gladstone October 7-9 are USEF National Champions, Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) medalists and highly decorated equitation stars. George Morris and Jimmy Lee will serve as the judges.

Lillie Keenan (New York, NY) heads to Gladstone on a mission after winning at nearly every turn this summer. At the beginning of August, she won both the Reserve and Grand Championship at the 2011 USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast. Three weeks later in Kentucky, Keenan brought spectators to their feet at the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals as she piloted C Coast Z to a resounding victory. Learn more about the former USEF Pony Finals champion’s win in Lexington here: http://usefnetwork.com/news/7489/2011/8/21/lillie_keenan_and_c_coast_z_win_the.aspx.

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