Harrisburg, Pa. - The energy in the Harrisburg Coliseum reached its peak Saturday evening as 20 athlete-and-horse combinations returned to contest the third and final phase of the 2025 Turnham Green/USEF Junior Jumper National Championships, crowning the individual winner. After three days of strong competition, Clara Propp (New York, N.Y.) and Mistral van de Vogelzang emerged victorious, jumping double clear to end the weekend of competition on a cumulative score of 4.8 to earn the gold medal.
Propp and Mistral van de Vogelzang, a 2012 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Elvis Ter Putte x Vivita de Fribois) owned by Aquitaine Equine, set themselves up for success early in the week. A fault-free round in Phase I placed the combination just off the podium, in fourth on a score of 0.80. Phase II saw the pair represent Zone 2 in the Prix des States Team Championship; a single rail dropped them to fifth individually, but their strong performance helped the team capture the silver behind Zone 4. In Phase III, the duo delivered a foot-perfect clear round, adding no faults to top of the leaderboard with a final score of 4.80.
Propp began her partnership with Mistral van de Vogelzang just under a year ago, shortly after the gelding competed at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with Victoria Gulliksen (NOR). “I’ve been working on my partnership with him for almost a year now and tonight really solidified that,” she said.
For Propp, this victory represents more than a single achievement, it’s another milestone on her journey through the U.S. Jumping Pathway. “Every team you get to jump on is an experience,” she said. "Coming into the final in fifth and leaving as champion has taught me that anything can happen,” she said. “You have to just keep pushing through and don’t give up.”
Finishing on 4.87 penalties was Avery Griffin (Austin, Texas) and Oh My Star Van Strytem, a 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding (I Am Moerhoeve’s Star x Fearless Van Den Doorndonk) owned by PBC Equine Investments LLC, who ultimately finished with individual silver. Griffin entered Phase III at the top of the leaderboard, but a single rail in the final round kept them from the win, but still finishing on the podium in second overall.
Despite the narrow miss, Griffin remained proud of her horse’s efforts. “I was just thinking about the course and what my horse needed from me,” she said. “He jumped really well. We just got a little flat, which is where the rail came from, but I was really happy with the way he jumped the rest of the course and the shape he had while doing it.”
Rounding out the top three were Zone 4’s JJ Torano (Wellington, Fla.) and Lyon 50, a 2014 Hanoverian stallion (Lord Argentinus x Lexi’s Girl) owned by Kadley Farms LLC and North Run. The duo delivered consistent performances throughout the competition, helping Zone 4 secure the Prix des States Team Championship - Torano’s second consecutive team gold medal. Entering Phase III in third place with a cumulative score of 0.95; Torano and Lyon 50 added just one rail to finish on a total score of 4.95 and maintained their position on the podium.
Torano’s composure, horsemanship, and classic American style of riding also earned him the William C. Steinkraus Style Award, presented to a Prix des States junior athlete who best exemplifies correct technique, sportsmanship, and respect for the sport. “I look to McLain Ward a lot,” he said. “He’s a bit of a mentor to me and always helps me. He really preaches style and equitation, so this award is a great steppingstone towards hopefully being where he is one day.”
Zone 4 and Clara Propp received an Ariat gift card redeemable for one item of the winner's choice—a show coat, pair of breeches, or tall boots—on their next purchase at ariat.com.
Catch all the action from the Turnham Green/USEF Junior Jumper National Championships here.
Full Championship results can be found here.
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