LIER, Belgium--The U.S.Junior Jumping Team placed first at the FEI Nations Cup Youth Jumping Final, and the Young Rider Jumping Team placed fifth in its division on Sunday, Sept. 15.

U.S. Junior Jumping Team (Photo by Pegasus Photos)Both teams were led by Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski and Team Leader Erin Keating. and they had earned qualifying spots via two separate qualifiers earlier in the week to contest Sunday’s final event.

The U.S. Junior Jumping Team had been impressive all week with strong performances across each of the qualifying classes, taking the coveted top honors on the final day on a total of zero faults.

The U.S. Young Rider Jumping Team earned fifth overall finishing on 12 faults.

“I’m so excited about the future of our sport," said Kursinski. "When you work with these younger athletes, the first timers, it is such an awakening for them. It sounds corny, but it really is life changing,. By the end, when it’s all over, they’re much more aware of their own potential and to see that and add in the understanding and experience of their support teams, trainers, and parents, it really gives an idea to what the top level of this sport feels like."

"They really are star struck when they first start because you realize you’re the only Americans and this is a big deal, and once they settle in and get into the week, you really start to see the talent and drive come through,"Kursinski said. "They’re dealing with pressure when it really counts. It’s a huge steppingstone experience for our program.”

 

THE U.S. Jumping Junior Team included four up-and-coming riders who rode with confidence and poise all week, moving up from seventh in their first qualifying class to ultimately end the week atop the podium with a victory in the final.

The team finished on an unbeatable score of zero faults, securing their win in the prestigious final.

Sweden finished second on four faults, while the Czech Republic finished third on eight faults.

Clara Propp of New York, N.Y., on Cocolina went first for the team and went clean for a good start for the team.

Alexa Elle Lignelli of New York, N.Y., on Helium, and Elise Stephens of Whitefish Bay, Wisc., on O’Mega H & DB, also went clean in the final.

Avery Griffin of Austin, Texas on Bodega Semilly had two down for eight faults.

“It was an amazing event," said Stephens. "It was put on well, and being there with the whole U.S. team and being a part of the program with Anne Kursinski is very motivating. Learning how to ride under pressure and riding for a team is a huge part of moving to the next step. All of us contributed to our team result and everyone put in a clear at least one of the days, which showed it was really a team effort.”

 “The pathway we have in the U.S. makes it feel more comfortable to compete in a format and atmosphere like this," said Stephens. "With national championships like USEF Junior Jumper National Championships and Prix de States and NAYC, it’s incredibly helpful to already have experiences like that which really build towards a final like this.”

The U.S. Young Rider Jumping Team was one of the youngest Young Rider teams by combined age.

The courses designed throughout the week by Henk Linders of Netherlands were very technical and were set to the maximum 1.45m specifications.

Mia Bagnato of Fishkill, N.Y., on Ballyoskill Big Bucks went first for the team and had eight faults.

Laurel Walker of Copper Canyon, Texas on Armani had four faults, putting the team on a potential of 12 faults.

Hunter Champey of Far Hills, N.J., on High Hopes SF had a beautiful clear round.

Stephanie Garrett of New York, N.Y., on Darius de Kezeg Z, had 12 faults, which was the team’s drop score, with the team securing their finish in the final on a total of 12 faults.

In the first qualifying competition of the week for both teams, the U.S. Junior Jumping Team finished seventh, with Griffin and Stephens going clear rounds for the team to secure the team’s final total of four faults in the opening qualifying competition.

The U.S. Young Rider Team was second  in its first qualifier, with all four riders going clean to finish on zero faults.

In the second qualifier for both teams, the U.S. Junior Jumping Team improved their team scores, placing second on a team total of one fault to qualify for the final on Sunday.

Propp had a single time fault, while Griffin and Lignelli both went clean while Stephens had four faults, which was the drop score for the team.

The U.S. Young Rider Jumping Team earned their ticket into the Final, with Champey having the only clear round for the team in the second qualifier.

The team finished on a total of 15 faults for eighth place, which just nudged them into the final on Sunday.

Walker helped the team secure its berth to the final, with just four faults.