Harrisburg, Pa. - Friday evening's competition brought excitement to the Pennsylvania National Horse Show as six teams representing their USHJA zones went head-to-head in the Turnham Green/USEF Junior Jumper Prix des States Team Championship. Athletes representing their zone team competed for top honors in this highlight event of the weekend.
This year’s championship course was designed by Oscar Soberon (USA) and featured a traditional Nations Cup format with teams contesting two rounds set to 1.40m in height. Zone 4 took the coveted team win and was comprised of Gabriella Curry (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Esto de Viscourt, Amy Krebs (Franklin, Tenn.) and Jabantos, Lily Epstein (Coral Gables, Fla.) and Zjechov, and JJ Torano (Wellington, Fla.) and Lyon 50, defending their hold on the podium for the second year in a row. The team was led by Chef d’Equipe Kim Land.
Land, who has served as the Chef d’Equipe for Zone 4 since 2011, emphasized the importance of building trust and camaraderie among her athletes. “These roles are super important for bringing up the next generation and creating team spirit,” she said. “They’re all well trained, well mounted, and work incredibly hard at their sport.”
Curry was the first in the ring for the team aboard Esto de Viscourt, a 2014 Selle Francais gelding (Qlassic Bois Margot x Qarah Des Hayettes) owned by GA Stables LLC. As second to go in the overall order, Curry and “Esto” produced one of just four double-clear performances of the night. “Coming off Phase I, my horse was jumping well and had plenty of energy,” said Curry. “He gives me so much confidence and he really tries his heart out.”
Krebs with her longtime partner, Jabantos, her own 2014 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Corsari Van de Helle x Cassima) were the next combination to test the track for Zone 4. The duo are veterans of the Prix des States championship, having been partnered together for nearly four years. “He’s taken me so far,” she said. “He’s the best partner I could ever ask for.”
Epstein and Zjechov, her own 2014 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Durrant x Ziena), rebounded after an early rail in the first round. “I knew in round two I needed to hold him straighter,” she said. “He does anticipate, but it all came together. We have a really good connection.” Epstein added that having a team supporting you is special. “You only get to be on a team at a few shows. Relying on your teammates to deal with the pressure helps for what you’re going to do moving forward in your jumping career.”
Anchoring the team was Torano and Lyon 50, a 2014 Hanoverian stallion (Lord Argentinus x Lexi’s Girl) owned by North Run. After developing their partnership throughout the season, the duo has found their rhythm together. “I’d say we know each other quite well by now,” said Torano. “The feeling is great. This is my third team event of the year and its a good experience for everyone to deal with pressure.”
In the individual standings, the leaderboard saw a shake-up following Friday’s results. Avery Griffin (Austin, Texas) and Oh My Star Van Strytem, a 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding (I am Moerhoeve’s Star x Fearless Van Der Doorndonk) owned by PBC Equine Investments LLC, moved into the lead on a combined score of 0.87 after Phase II. Gabriella Curry and Esto De Viscourt sit just behind in second overall on a score of 0.88, while JJ Torano and Lyon 50 currently round out the top three individual placings with 0.95 penalties.
Combinations will return to the Harrisburg Coliseum on Saturday evening for the final phase of the Turnham Green/USEF Junior Jumper National Championships, crowning the individual champion. Phase III will begin at 5:45 p.m. ET. Watch LIVE and on demand on the USEF Network. Coverage is brought to you by Hollow Brook Wealth Management.
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