Upper Marlboro, Maryland – October 07, 2021 – Batchelor (USA), of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, and Byolga crossed the timers at 36.097 seconds to best a field of 29 competitors in the $12,500 NAL Adult Jumper Finals, presented by SmartPak.
“I thought the first course was challenging right from the start,” explained Batchelor (USA). “There were a lot of connecting lines, and I think if you didn’t ride the track appropriately for the horse you were sitting on it could catch up to you. It was a thoughtful round considering it’s a class you qualify for, so you have a good group in there, and you have to start to sort them out a little bit.”
Batchelor (USA) took on the jump-off with nine additional competitors. The rider was happy to have her trusted partner, “Lola,” a 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, with her for the short course.
“The jump-off was challenging today because it required some inside turns and speed,” said Batchelor. “I think my inside turn to the one-stride was where I saved some time. Lola is so quick and so professional, so I was really just thinking about riding the track and staying on!”
This victory marks the second time that Batchelor (USA) has had success in the NAL Adult Jumper Finals, having won it previously on Orlando. Batchelor is happy to have the finals held at Capital Challenge, making the show even more memorable for her.
“I think Capital Challenge is a wonderful horse show,” commented Batchelor. “They run the schedule well, the jumps are beautiful, the courses are wonderful, and the prizes are better than I think anywhere else. It’s just as special, if not more, to win here compared to any of the other indoor shows.”
Second place was awarded to Megan Jones (USA) and her own Trix Rabbit with a jump-off time of 36.146 seconds. Lexi Maounis (USA) and Roos finished in third place on a time of 37.045 seconds.
The Best Children’s Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Memorial Park Hunters, went to Landstrom. Batchelor (USA) earned the Best Adult Amateur Jumper Rider Award, sponsored by Meadow Grove Farm. For this award, Batchelor received the Belfield Trophy, donated by Julie Karpan.
North American League Finals are the culmination of the NAL’s year-long Series that includes classes at hundreds of horse shows across the United States and Canada. The NAL offers year-long series in five divisions: Children’s Hunter, Adult Hunter, Children’s Jumper, presented by EquiFit; Adult Jumper, presented by SmartPak; and Low Junior/Amateur Jumper, presented by HorseFlight. The NAL series conclude with year-end finals for those who accumulated the most points in their divisions over the course of the season.
Competition will continue on Friday at the 2021 Capital Challenge Horse Show with junior hunter divisions, pony hunter divisions, the NAL Junior/Amateur Owner Welcome, and the Medium Junior/Amateur Owner Welcome. The highlighted classes on Friday will be the WCHR Amateur Challenge, the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals, and the Professional World Championship Hunter Rider Final.
Final Results – $12,500 North American League Adult Jumper Finals
1) Hope Batchelor DVM (USA) & Byolga – 0 / 0 – 36.097
2) Megan Jones (USA) & Trix Rabbit – 0 / 0 – 36.146
3) Lexi Maounis (USA) & Roos – 0 / 0 – 37.045
4) Christina Kourgelis (USA) & Stakkadera – 0 / 0 – 37.306
5) Kirsten Pollin (USA) & Qualle – 0 / 0 – 37.388
6) Lexi Maounis (USA) & Given – 0 / 0 – 41.384
7) Mercy Paine (USA) & Chambrinus – 0 / 4 – 34.813
8) Stefani Green (USA) & Wender R – 0 / 4 – 35.651
9) Charlotte Powers (USA) & Escot 6 – 0 / 8 – 34.792
10) Texie McHenry (USA) & Volodia d’Argouges – 0 / EL
11) Jessica Leonard (USA) & Larent – 4 / 58.738
12) Casey Zuraitis (USA) & KT Bugs Bunny – 4 / 60.974
Source: Press Release from Jump Media for The Capital Challenge Horse Show
Photo: © Shawn McMillen Photography
Categories: Results
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