Traverse City, Michigan, USA – August 11, 2023 –In the Junior category, Zone 7 rose from the third place position to ultimately take the gold medal. Riders Tessa Downey, Carlee McCutcheon, Laurel Walker, and Ava K. Myers put in rock-solid performances, including double-clear efforts from Downey and McCutcheon, to come in on the lowest score.

Anchor rider Tessa Downey (USA) had significant pressure on her shoulders coming in for the final round, knowing she had a rail in hand with her mount Isabelle, but she pulled out the clear and was able to help send her team to the top of the podium. 

“I felt pretty good,” Downey said of her mindset stepping in as the anchor rider with the pressure added. “I’ve had this horse for roughly two years now. I know her very well and I was in a similar position at Prix De States last year. We had the same chef, [Martien Van Der Hoeven], and he instructed me on what I needed to do for my team, and so did my trainer, Peter Pletcher. My horse handled the pressure very well and I did as well.”

Carlee McCutcheon (USA) brought forth Coco Mercedes, a ride she acquired from McLain Ward. “I think she gets better for the second round,” McCutcheon said. “She’s a little more relaxed and she jumps better. She wasn’t so quick off the ground and I was able to relax a bit more. Our second round was smoother than our first round so I think that’s very important for a championship to have one that gets better as it goes on.”

Laurel Walker (USA) loved getting to ride for the team, especially since she’d been paired on teams with the same riders prior, including at Prix De States.

“As we all know, riding isn’t really a team sport, so it’s unique when you can qualify for these teams,” Walker shared. “You can all work together for one goal. It adds a new bond that we don’t get to experience a lot, and it’s a super fun environment. They do a great job putting this on and I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to compete.”

Ava K. Myers (USA) echoed the sentiment of the team morale and how it carried them to a top result. “We come out from this week stronger and better friends and more connected as a team,” she explained. “It’s a lot of pressure but it teaches us how it’s going to be in the future when we move up. We’re all supportive of each other and we’re okay with any outcome. Of course it’s nice to be in this position.”

Zone 4, featuring riders Olivia Sweetnam, Mustafa Shah, Mia Albelo, and Taylor Cawley, claimed the silver medal with strong efforts put in by all team members, including a double-clear from Sweetnam.

Sweetnam’s performance put her into the lead going into the Individual Final for the Juniors on Sunday. Her ride, HBD Quality, owned by Sweet Oak Farm, is one that has a special family connection for her.

“I was quite nervous going in but it was good nerves,” she explained. “It helped me to stay sharp and focused on my plan I developed and executed properly. My family has owned Quality for four years and I started riding her about a year and a half ago. It’s really special because my dad used to ride her and a few other people in the barn used to ride her. It’s made for a really great bond we’ve formed both in and out of the ring.”

The bronze medal went to Zone 2 and its riders Stephanie Garrett, Caroline Signorino, Emma Blumenkrantz, Alexa Elle Lignelli.

See full results here.

While Junior athletes wait until Sunday to compete in their Individual Final, the Gotham North FEI North American Youth Championships resume Saturday with the Individual Final for both the Children’s and Pre-Junior categories.

Final Results – $35,000 Junior Jumper Team Competition 

1) Tessa Downey (USA) & Isabelle N/A

1) Carlee McCutcheon (USA) & Coco Mercedes N/A

1) Ava K Myers (USA) & Chico P N/A

1) Laurel Walker (USA) & Armani N/A

Source: Press Release from Traverse City Horse Shows

Photos: © Andrew Ryback Photography

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