Zone 7 Takes Double Gold at the Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper Central Regional Championships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

August 5, 2014-The 2014 Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper Regional Championships kicked-off with the Central Regional Championship at the Maffitt Lake Equestrian Center in Cumming, IA on July 31-August 3 with 19 Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper riders from Zones 6 and 7.

Both divisions and zones were combined to create a total of five teams for the Championship:

Team 1-Zone 6 Children's
Team 2-Zone 6/7 Adult Amateurs
Team 3-Zone 7 Children's Team 1
Team 4-Zone 7 Children's Team 2

Team 5-Zone 6/7 Children's and Adult Amateurs

Team Gold Medalists Zone 7 Children's Team 1 Photo Credit: Kim Mayer

All five teams went head-to-head for the Championship on Friday, August 1, with the Zone 7 Children's Team 1 capturing the gold medal. Ending on a total score of 8 faults after two rounds of competition, Zone 7 Children's Team 1 won handily. The three-member Zone 6/7 Children's and Adult Amateur Team took silver ending on a score of 12 faults with Zone 6/7 Adult Amateurs close behind ending on 16 faults for bronze.

The combined team competition was held in a Nation's Cup-style format over a challenging yet fair course designed by Tim Hott.

"The courses were very technical and challenging, but it was a good balance," said individual gold medalist Hannah Adams. "Not to mention they were fun to ride too!" 

Children's/Adult Amateur Jumper Central Region Individual Gold Medalist Hannah Adams Photo Credit: Randy Shebek/Alison Hartwell Photography

After the close team competition on Friday, the Children's and Adult Amateur riders faced off again during Saturday's final individual round. Ending on her score from Thursday's individual qualifying round, Adult Amateur rider Hannah Adams (Zone 7) took the individual gold with a total of 2.5 faults aboard GPS Toronto. Putting in three faultless rounds during the four rounds of competition, Adams edged out second place finisher Children's rider Raegan Rast (Zone 7) who ended on 5.5 faults aboard Clarissa Z. Picking up the bronze was Children's rider Shyenne Bryant (Zone 6) with a total of 7 faults riding Killernan Romeo.

"This was my first time competing in a team competition and I thought the format was very interesting," said Adams. "It really brings an individual sport into a team atmosphere, which is nice." Adams, who rides at home with 2013 Adult Amateur Jumper Central Region individual gold medalist Emily Straw Colella, said Colella convinced her to compete in the 2014 Championships.

Among the bevy of prizes awarded to the top athletes, the top individual Children's athlete, Raegan Rast, received a coveted spot in a 2015 USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Regional Training Session of her choice.

"I was planning to apply for the Emerging Athletes Program in 2015," said Rast. "Winning a spot is just icing on the cake. I have heard that it is a great opportunity, and I really like that it focuses on horsemanship and is not just another jumping clinic."

The Children's & Adult Amateur Jumper Regional Championships are divided into four regions: North Region (Zones 1, 2, and 5), South Region (Zones 3 and 4), Central Region (Zones 6 and 7) and West Region (Zones 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12). Held in Nation's Cup-style format, the Championship is held for teams and individual riders. The South Regional Championship will be held August 22-24 in Culpepper, VA. For a complete list of 2014 Children's & Adult Amateur Jumper Regional Championship dates, click here.