Georgina Jewell Jumps to Gold in NAYC Children’s Individual Final
Pulling off an impressive feat during the three days of competition at the Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Championships, presented by USHJA, Georgina Jewell finished her week completely penalty-free, taking the gold medal in the Children’s category aboard Conny 424.
As Thursday’s Individual Qualifier winner, Jewell put herself in a promising position early in the week, then continued to jump four more clear rounds aboard her 9-year-old Holsteiner mare.
“It felt really good,” Jewell said about her performance and winning the gold medal. “I was definitely really nervous because I was going into it. [Conny] is really sweet and she’ll always help me out. Going into the last round I was really confident because we were clear in all the others so I knew she’d be good.”
Taking the silver medal, with only 0.55 penalties accrued over the course of five rounds, was Jesus Rigu aboard Indigo, an 8-year-old gelding. This is Rigu’s third appearance at NAYC and he made it count, coming home with a team gold and an individual silver.
“My horse jumped so well every round,” Rigu reflected. “The first day wasn’t my best, I was just really nervous. When I get nervous I do things I don’t normally do, but he jumped so well. He helped when I made mistakes and when I rode well I felt like we were clicking every step.”
Rigu also managed to jump completely clear over the five rounds, meaning he only carried his 0.55 penalties through from day one to secure his position on the podium.
His past performances at NAYC left him wanting more, so Rigu was pleased that he could deliver a performance this strong. “This year I went into the Final relieved that I was able to put in three clear rounds going into it,” he shared. “Knowing I helped the team win felt really good and now I can finally sleep at night.”
Taking the bronze medal was Cisy Zhou aboard Dalido 8, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding. With just one rail down and one time fault in the Team Competition, Zhou delivered two faultless rounds in the Individual Final to rise up from seventh place and land on the podium.
“Going into today I knew I was in the middle of the pack, and I wanted to put in two great rounds,” Zhou shared of her mindset. “After the first round I knew he was jumping great and was clearing everything. My trainers were scared I was going to have a time fault but I knew I had it because I trust my horse a lot. He’s really brave so I was really grateful to have him as my partner.”
Zhou was a previous pony jumper champion, so she has experience on a podium at a championship, but this experience was definitely a notch above for her.
“I was nervous going into this week but it was really fun,” she said of NAYC. “FEI is really cool. All your friends are in one space and you get to hang out with everyone.”
Violet Tatum Takes the Gold in $25,000 Junior Individual Final
Like the Children’s category, the Junior category also saw Thursday’s Individual Qualifier winner continue her consistency and take the gold medal. Violet Tatum and BP Swifty finished on a score of just 4.00 penalties, earning the gold in the Junior category and capping a remarkable week with the Junior individual title.
Tatum and BP Swifty had a nearly perfect performance across the three days of jumping, just pulling one rail in round two of the Team Competition. Her performance helped secure a team silver medal, and then two more clear rounds Saturday finalized her placement at the top of the podium.
“Going in on top is definitely a lot of pressure but I knew if I gave her a good ride she would give me her all,” Tatum reflected after her win. “She’s such an incredible horse and this is such a meaningful event to earn gold at.”
Tatum believes BP Swifty has a special flair that helps make her a fighter in the ring. “She’s very feisty but I think that is what makes her such a winner,” she explained of the 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare. “She’s all heart, and she just gives me her all every time. She’s so sweet and willing to do whatever I ask of her.”
Just behind Tatum on only 5.52 penalties was Scarlett Samuels, who piloted the 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood Confidence to the silver medal position. Samuels brought 1.52 penalties forward from day one, and had one rail down in round one of the Individual Final, taking the second lowest score of the week.
“Coming in anywhere near contention for a medal is always very stressful, especially at such a big event like this,” Samuels explained of her mindset coming into the Final. “I knew that my horse would give me everything as long as I did my part. He was amazing.”
Samuels’ experience at NAYC was defined by the team camaraderie and the support she felt as a competitor, more so than the result.
“My favorite part was to be able to grow so close to these girls that are really strong riders and competitors; to be able to get close with them outside the ring is so special,” she shared. “Also to have such a strong support group behind us, to have other riders’ teams on your side, is such a special thing you don’t normally get.”
Rylynn Conway finished the week as the bronze medalist, putting in another stellar performance and finishing on 10.44 penalties overall with her horse Capella.
“She always tries her hardest for me,” Conway said of Capella, a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare. “She’s a super competitive horse so I knew going in we are both capable of it.”
Conway echoed what most of the athletes shared about their weekly highlight. “My favorite part of the week was the team part,” she explained. “It was so special to win gold earlier in the week, especially to do it with my team. It was super memorable.”
To conclude the Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships, presented by USHJA, Sunday will host the Pre-Junior Individual Final and the $50,000 Young Rider Individual Final to decide final medals. Fans and competitors can view full schedules, results, and live updates through the Traverse City Horse Shows Mobile App.
