United States Eventing Association

Champions are Crowned in the Young Rider Three-Day Challenge

The Hylofit USEA Classic Series divisions tackled show jumping under the big Montana sky today at The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell. Seventy-nine riders competed across the Novice and Trianing level Classic Series divisions to experience the classic long format of eventing. This year, coinciding with the Adequan North American Youth Championships (NAYC), the Young Rider coordinators put together teams for a new Hylofit USEA Classic Series Training Three-Day Young Rider team challenge.

Area VI’s Young Rider Training-Three Day Team Navy were the overnight leaders after cross-country, and they all had superb jumping rounds to claim victory, finishing on a cumulative score of 102.2.

Fifteen-year-old Pip Hayes rode Dawn Wilder’s 7-year-old German Warmblood, Peridot (Perigueux x Hauptstutbuch) to an individual and team victory today after jumping double clear. “We’ve been bringing him up the levels and becoming super confident, and we’re planning on doing Young Riders here next year – that’s the goal,” explained Hayes. “I’ve had him for about eight months now, so he’s a pretty new ride for me.”

The pair, also part of the Area VI Team Navy, completed the weekend on their dressage score of 29.6 to claim first place in the Training Three-Day A division. “It’s an amazing experience coming here with a team. I love all the girls – they are so amazing,” Hayes concluded.

Seventeen-year-old Kira Niyogi finished the weekend on a 35.5 for the Area VI Team Navy aboard Vali Frank’s 13-year-old Trakehner gelding, Astro NSF (Baron Verdi x Astra). “This is my first team experience, and it’s been a lot of fun. I didn’t know any of these girls beforehand, but it’s been really fun getting to know them,” said Niyogi.

Karleen Williams and Next Dance (Cupidon x Dancing Nuage) finished the weekend on their dressage score of 37.1 to help the Area VI Team Navy secure the big win. “My horse was great through all of the phases, and this was my first Classic Series event – I really liked it and it was a lot of fun,” stated Williams of her weekend with her 18-year-old Selle Francais mare.

Kamryn Avvakumovits and King’s Affair (Ranch Samaguy Dream Boy Kurt x Saros Princess) round out the Area VI Team Navy, completing on a respectable 53.2. The 6-year-old American Warmblood owned by John Hartley “was fabulous this weekend,” stated Avvakumovits. “He’s pretty green and just turned six, so this was a really big weekend for him. This was a big weekend for me too because it was my first time here.”

All of the girls had a great time learning about the team environment and getting to experience the Hylofit USEA Classic Series at the beautiful Rebecca Farm. They all thanked their family and Young Rider coordinators who helped them get to Montana.

Area VII’s Young Rider team completed the weekend on a cumulative score of 113.2 to claim second place in the Hylofit USEA Classic Series Training Three-Day Young Rider Team Challenge. The team consisted of Abigail Cochran with Hope Cochran’s 11-year-old Canadian Warmblood, Freesela (Freestyle x Gizela W), Alexis Larson with Malia Larson’s 7-year-old Irish Draught Sport Horse, PL Diamond’s Inspiration (PL Diamond Hill x PL Indy), Hailey Blackburn with Brynn Littlehale’s 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Kilbunny Amigo (Eurocommerce Pittsburg x Ballyglisheen Sky) and finally, McLaine Mangum and her own 11-year-old Oldenburg, Merry Mischief (Sempatico M x Cita Jet Jewel).

The Area VI Team White was close behind in third place, ending on a total combined score of 113.2. Hannah Ertl, Kayla Bierman, Michaela Maroney, and Savannah Carter made up the team on their horses Carrigdhoun Cool Lad, Addyson, Harbour The Truth, and Ballustree Dun Believable.

In the Training Three-Day B division, Jackson Dillard claimed victory with his own 8-year-old Hanoverian mare, Layla Q (Loerke x Ayla Q). “My horse is an absolute trooper and she really came through for me,” Dillard stated of his mare who finished on their dressage score of 25.8. “It has been really awesome to come and meet my teammates and meet a bunch of people I’ve never had contact with before, and immediately be accepted into this group and be around people who know this sport and care about this sport like I do. Just being able to spend time and work with them is such a wonderful opportunity.”

Dillard, who rode for Area II in the Training Three-Day Team Challenge credited his success by thanking his horse, his mother, and his trainer Lindsay Hafer.

The USEA would also like to send deepest condolences to Area II and all those connected with Ashley Stout, who’s untimely passing kept her from completing her goal to compete for Area II in this week’s Training Three-Day Team Challenge. Countless people on grounds have been wearing a turquoise ribbon in memory of Ashley, who’s cross-country color was turquoise.

An Area VI Young Rider also won the Novice Three-Day division, finishing the weekend on her dressage score of 28.2. Olivia Doman rode Katherine Hill’s 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding, The Pied Piper (Panzyr x Phaedra) to victory by jumping double clear on cross-country and show jumping. "I am honored and so happy to have experienced this amazing competition at Rebecca Farm with my horse, and it was my firt time here representing my team Trinity Eventing. I want to thank the organizers, sponsors, volunteers, the USEA and especially my coach Jennifer Wooten Macouzet for believing in me, and to Katherine Hill for sharing her big boy The Pied Piper."

About the Hylofit USEA Classic Series

The Hylofit USEA Classic Series keeps the spirit of the classic long ­format three­-day events alive for Beginner Novice through the Preliminary levels. Competitors can experience the rush of endurance day, including roads and tracks, steeplechase, the vet box, and cross­-country, as well as participate in formal veterinary inspections and educational activities with experts on the ins and outs of competing in a long ­format three-­day event. Riders who compete in a Hylofit USEA Classic Series event during the year will have the chance to win a variety of prizes at the events from USEA sponsors. Click here to learn more about the Hylofit USEA Classic Series.

The USEA would like to thank Hylofit, FLAIR, FITS, SmartPak Equine, Stackhouse & Ellis Saddles, and Parker Equine Insurance for sponsoring the Hylofit USEA Classic Series.

About Hylofit

Now available to purchase, the Hylofit system hit the marketplace in 2018. The Hylofit system is the only equine wearable to offer in-ride feedback for horse and rider. Hylofit’s state-of-the-art product is designed to maximize communication between horse and rider, improve training results, and promote the overall health and well-being of the horse. Hylofit unique features include real-time feedback, post-ride insights, rider insights, overall well-being of the horse and rider, zone training, sharing features, video features, weather impact features, and more. The Hylofit system that tracks both horse and rider’s heart rate is comprised of four hardware components, an app for iOS or Android, and an optional app for the iWatch.

Hylofit is generously providing a 10 percent discount for Hylofit products to all USEA Classic Series competitors! Hylofit will also provide 11 Hylofit systems to the high scorers of each USEA Classic Series event at the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention.