Traverse City, Michigan, USA – August 10, 2023 – The Junior and Young Rider categories of the Gotham North FEI North American Youth Championships, presented by USHJA, got underway Thursday with their first individual qualifiers. Topping the Young Rider section was Olivia Williams (USA), from Zone 5, with Irocco Blue S. The pair went midway through the starting order of 36 entries and blazed to a time of 64.31 seconds that couldn’t be caught.

“I’ve had him for a little over two years and he’s been a really great horse for me,” Williams said of the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (VDL Zirocco Blue x Numero Uno). “We’ve come up the ranks and jumped some of our biggest classes together. He’s a great confidence builder and I feel really blessed to ride a horse as nice as him. He steps up every time we ask him to jump something new. I’m very proud of him and I feel very privileged to have the ride.”

In her second appearance at NAYC, Williams feels extra motivated by Thursday’s win as she carries that into the Team Competition and further rounds of jumping.

“It’s so great to be here,” she continued. “Each year this is something I look forward to. My first time competing was last year on the same horse so to be able to come back with confidence and to have a great mindset is really special.”

Originally from California, Williams has dreamed of competing at NAYC for most of her childhood, so now that the dream has become a reality, the next step is to take a top finish.

“Growing up, all I wanted to do was Young Riders. It was a big goal for me from the beginning,” she elaborated. “When I was able to come last year it was such an accomplishment and this year to qualify and come back, with Andrew and Alex Welles, is such a great feeling. These championships give you such a great opportunity to grow as a rider with your horse and get in the championship mindset.”

This year, Williams is keeping her horse with Team Welles as she travels back and forth between horse showing and attending the University of Notre Dame, studying Finance with a minor in real estate.

“One of the things Andrew stressed before going in today was that ‘pressure is a privilege.’ That really stuck with me the entire week. It’s such an opportunity to be here, I feel so lucky to compete and [now it’s about] maintaining the mindset and just having fun and going one step at a time.”

Taking the win in the Junior section was Nora Nauss, riding for Zone 6, aboard Bretzelle d’Arthenay in a time of 61.90 seconds. Guatemalan representative Daniel Montenegro Ortiz claimed second with Ira De Span, owned by Flavio Montenegro, and Zone 4 rider Olivia Sweetnam took third-place honors with HDB Quality, owned by Sweet Oak Farm.

Final Results –  Gotham North FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships – First Qualifier Children’s $10,000 Young Riders Individual Qualifier

1) Olivia Williams (USA) & Irocco Blue S – 0 – 64.31

2) Virginia Bonnie (USA) & Efodea – 0 – 64.92

3) Kate Hovland (USA) & Cruz – 0 – 65.25

Source: Press Release from Traverse City Horse Shows

Photo: © Andrew Ryback Photography

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Link