Traverse City, Michigan, USA – August 12, 2023 – The Children’s and Pre-Junior categories of the Gotham North FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships, presented by USHJA, concluded Saturday with gold medals being awarded to Hailey Guidry and Lauren Frandson, (USA) both of whom jumped five clear rounds without a single rail down all week.

Frandson’s mount, Golda, lived up to her name in the Pre-Junior section, as the last to go in both rounds to secure the gold medal representing Zone 10

“It feels great to jump all clear rounds this week and I’m super proud of my horse,” said Frandson, who trains with Blue Ridge Farms under Sean Leckie and Sophie Simpson-Leckie. “It’s definitely a lot of pressure but I feel like we performed really well. I’ve had my horse Golda for a little less than a year. We’ve been super successful because of all the practice we’ve done. We competed in the trials to qualify to come here and I feel that that really helped me here this week.”

Last year, Fransdon acquired the ride on Golda from Ilan Ferder, who also helped train her from the sidelines during NAYC this week. While there was significant pressure on her shoulders to come in and uphold her leading score on 0.29 penalties, she did not let that faze her.

“My coaches and family all helped calm my nerves this week just by talking me through my course and reassuring me that I made it here and I can do it,” Fransdon reflected.

Moving up in the placings between rounds in her first appearance at NAYC, Myra Krishna (USA) set herself apart by jumping double clear in both the Team Final and the Individual Final to take the silver medal with Fanatic D’Alphi, owned by Dracarys Sporthorses LLC. Training under David O’Brien, Krishna didn’t set expectations, which she believes helped her perform well under the pressure.

“I’m really proud of my horse because he jumped his heart out for me,” Krishna reflected. “There really was no pressure because I had no expectations going into this week. I had so much fun getting to know the girls, and the team factor was a lot of fun.”

As for how she managed the nerves of being a first-time competitor at the prestigious event, she said, “I tried not to make myself nervous because it’s my first time here. Everyone was telling me not to put pressure on myself, just to jump every jump as best as I can.”

Scarlett Wallis (USA) came into the Individual Final in a very promising position and maintained a medal-winning spot, despite one unlucky rail in the final round.

“My plan in the final rounds was to have the fewest faults as possible,” Wallis explained. “I got a little quiet going into the one-stride so I had the ‘B’ element down but I’m still super happy with my horse. I’ve had him for about two years and I got him from Meredith Herman who’s also training me this week.”

Final Results – Pre-Junior Individual Final 

1) Lauren Fransdon (USA) & Golda – 0 / 0 – 0.28

2) Myra Krishna (USA) & Fanatic d’Alphi – 0 / 0 – 3.53

3) Scarlett Wallis (USA) & Samurai – 0 / 0 – 4.59

Source: Press Release from Traverse City Horse Shows

Photos: © Andrew Ryback Photography / Megan Giese Photography

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