United States Eventing Association

Rozycki, Hoiness, Gaines and Southern Claim USEF National CCI1* Eventing Championships at The Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Team Challenge

Lexington, KY- On a blustery fall day the USEF National CCI1* Championships concluded with some of the United States' best up-and-coming combinations contesting the show jumping phase. Champions were crowned across four separate divisions at the competition that was held in combination with the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Team Challenge at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Kristen Rozycki (Barrington, IL) claimed the National CC1* Championship with her own Full Circle finishing on a score of 47.2. Rozycki and the Thoroughbred mare jumped clear over the challenging Derek Di Grazia designed cross-country course and were again flawless in the final phase.The pair moved into first place after overnight leader Missy Ransehousen and Fantastik collected four faults over Cathy Weischhoff's technical show jumping track.

Rozycki could not have been more pleased with the horse she has done all the training with herself. "I'm really happy with my horse this weekend. She was great."

In the National CCI1* Junior Championship, Kelsey Hoiness and T.M. Ballingary jumped a stylish round on Sunday to also finish on their dressage score on their way to being crowned champions. Hoiness (Hickory, NC) who trains with three time Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI4* Champion Kim Severson was contesting her first CCI1* with Nicolle Villers' fourteen year-old Irish Sport Horse Gelding.

"It was everything I hoped it would be. To end on my dressage score is more than I could ask for," said Hoiness. "But I owe all the credit to my horse and my coach."

Devon Gaines of Simpsonville, KY was the winner of the National CCI1* Amateur Championship riding her own eight year-old mare Ginger Spice. Gaines who was competing at the level for the first time as well gained valuable knowledge over the weekend but was not expecting to win a National Championship.

"It was a surprise, I wasn't expecting it," Gaines said of winning. "This was my first one star and it was a really good experience."

The National CCI1* 19-21 year-old Championship was won by Kristina Southern riding Skyeler Icke's Matus. Southern, who has only been eventing for three years, was making her first start at a CCI1* but the Selle Francais gelding has plenty of experience at the level. The Falls Church, VA native was ecstatic about her finish at the event and appreciative of the opportunity she has been given.

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without the generosity and support of Skyeler Icke and her family for giving me such an amazing horse to take me up the levels," said Southern "Winning the National CCI1* 19-21 year-old Championship is an awesome bonus on top of the excitement of completing my first CCI*."