Adamstown, Md. - Competition at the 2026 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships concluded with three individual and three team champions crowned across the CCIJ1*, CCIYJ2*-S, and CCI3U25*-S levels. The Championships were hosted by The Maryland International & Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm, from June 25-28, with cross-country courses designed by Andrew Heffernan (NED) and show jumping courses designed by Chris Barnard (USA). Competitors and grooms participated in various educational opportunities, including a “YRC Centerline Dressage Workshop” with USEF “S” Eventing Judge, Debbie Adams, as well as a “Beat The Heat Workshop” with professional FEI groom, Max Corcoran, who instructed the athletes and grooms on heat index protocols and best practices for post cross-country recovery.

CCIJ1*-Intro National Championship 

Kennedy Langmo (Maitland, Fla.) led wire-to-wire to claim the individual CCIJ1*-Intro National Championship title, never relinquishing the top spot across all three phases. Langmo and Knock Out, a 2015 KWPN gelding (Canabis Z AKZ x Upaleen), owned by Jenny Jarnstrom-Dennis and Mike Dennis, posted the division's best dressage score of 24.0. After a clear cross-country effort, Langmo and Knock Out went into show jumping with a rail in-hand. The pair finished with 4.0 show jumping faults to finish on a score of 28.0 and earn the individual gold medal. 

"I was feeling pretty confident," said Langmo. "I knew I had one rail to spare, and he's been jumping really good. I was confident coming into today." 

Langmo credited the partnership she has built with Knock Out as central to their success. "The partnership I feel we've built over the past few months has been based on a lot of trust," she said. "He started out a little tense; he was a little unfocused in the show jumping. Over time, building trust has helped us to get smoother rounds." 

In the silver medal position, Lula Carney (Nashville, Tenn.) and Excel Star Vero Amore, her own 2016 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Vigo D’Arousilles x Ultiem V), earned the Reserve Champion title with a score of 30.7, adding just 0.4 time penalties to their clear cross-country effort. Kaitlyn Cobey (Acworth, Ga.) and Redfield Need For Speed, her own 2018 KWPN gelding (Gaspahr x Evita), rounded out the podium in third with a score of 33.6, adding 2.4 cross-country time faults to their dressage score of 31.2 before jumping clear in show jumping to earn the bronze medal. 

The gold medals and team championship title were claimed by Area III, which consisted of Kennedy Langmo and Knock Out, Kaitlyn Cobey and Redfield Need For Speed, Molly McLaughlin (Peachtree Corners, Ga.) and Fly Boy, and Nicole Nair (Winter Garden, Fla.) and Cooley Vita, with a combined team score of 100.6. Area VIII followed in silver position with a score of 104.1, and Area V claimed bronze with a score of 143.9.

CCIYJ2*-S National Championship 

Lauren Crabtree (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) and Derroon Diamond, a 2016 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Carrick Diamond Lad x Dianes Cruise Clover), owned by Traci Crabtree, claimed the individual CCIYJ2*-S National Championship title with a come-from-behind performance, finishing on a score of 30.1. Crabtree led the division after dressage on a 26.1 before dropping to second after cross-country, then returning for a clear show jumping round to reclaim the top spot and secure the gold medal. 

"I feel so lucky and grateful, especially since this is my last show [before college], and that I was able to take home the gold," said Crabtree. "It was such an amazing feeling. I'm so proud of my horse. He did not have to jump that well at all, but he did, and he really showed me why he's such an incredible horse."  

It was an emotional win for Crabtree, who noted she will be enrolling in nursing school in the fall. Her horse will continue his career with eventing athlete, Seth Chapman. Crabtree’s plan is to return to the saddle full-time upon completing her degree. 

Eleanor Winter (South Freeport, Maine) and Mosstown Rebel, her own 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Unknown x Unknown), finished in second with a score of 31.0, taking home the silver medal and Reserve Champion title, adding just 4.0 show jumping faults to their cross-country score of 27.0. Madyson Hsue (Lexington, Ky.) and ISO Cambria, her own U.S.-bred Holsteiner mare (Cabardino N x Rio’s Rikita W), finished in third, earning a bronze medal with a score of 31.6. The pair added 0.8 cross-country time faults to their dressage score of 30.8 before finishing the competition by jumping clear in show jumping. 

The team championship title and gold medals were claimed by a combined Team from Area VIII/IX, which consisted of Madyson Hsue and ISO Cambria, Finley Powell (Boulder, Colo.) and Pioneer Archibald, Claire Maloney (Joelton, Tenn.) and Phoenyx, and Lola Lonesky (Somerset, Ky.) and Cooley Quicksilver, with a score of 108.5. Area II followed in second place to earn silver with a score of 125.6, and combined Team from Area VI/I claimed bronze with a score of 127.0.

CCIU253*-S National Championship 

Sterling Pollard (Rome, Ga.) and Tinto, a 2019 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Bremen Plan x Pieke van de Achterhoek) owned by Michael Pollard, delivered a masterful performance across all three phases to claim the individual CCIU253*-S National Championship title with a score of 31.1. Sitting second after dressage on a 30.7, Pollard added just 0.4 time faults on cross-country before jumping a foot-perfect show jumping round to secure the gold medal. 

"I was surprised with how well he was jumping," said Pollard. "He does like to be expressive and show how big he wants to try for me, and I really enjoyed the course. He was jumping really well, so I felt really good about it." 

After the championship, Pollard will set her sights on the 2026 FEI North American Youth Championships in Traverse City, Mich. from July 28 – August 2. She and Tinto are looking to win a medal in both the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships, as well as NAYC.  

Pollard was followed by Riley Zgrebnak (West Springfield, Pa.) and Cooley Criminal Mind, her own 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Diamond Roller x Ballyneety Royale), who earned the individual silver medal and Reserve Champion title with a score of 40.9 after adding 6.0 time faults on cross-country to their dressage score of 34.9 and jumping clear in show jumping. Sarah Ertl (Santa Cruz, Calif.) and Redwood Quality, her own 2018 Selle Français gelding (Unknown x Unknown), rounded out the podium in third, earning a bronze medal on a score of 42.4. She and Redwood Quality added 8.8 cross-country time faults to their dressage score of 33.6 before jumping clear in show jumping. 

The team championship title and gold medals were claimed by Area II/VI, which consisted of Riley Zgrebnak  and Cooley Criminal Mind, Sarah Ertl  and Redwood Quality, Sydney Shinn (Aiken, S.C.) and HSH Crypto, and Caitlin O'Roark (Centreville, Va.) and JustIceTheBeast, with a score of 131.9. Area III/V followed in second with a score of 1085.7. 

Full Results 

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