Print"This is different than the other finals," U.S. show jumping coach George Morris explained after judging the U.S. Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Talent Search Finals-East. "This," he emphasized, "is jumper preparation."
And while a major equitation final win eluded Charlie Jayne in his junior years, he made up for it with victory in the USEF Talent Search Finals-East, held at the historic U.S. Equestrian Team headquarters in Gladstone, N.J., on Oct. 7-8.
Grand prix rider Alison Firestone, who judged the class with Morris, assessed Jayne as, "a very effective rider."
Said Morris, "He has a beautiful touch; he has a beautiful eye. He can ride very softly, but he also can ride very strongly. No matter what presented itself, he could cope."
Jayne was second in his only other attempt at this final, in 2003. He was third in the Tad Coffin WIHS Equitation Classic Finals (D.C.) in 2004, and was a dominant force in the junior hunter and jumper ranks. He also won the 2006 USET Foundation Maxine Beard Award, enabling him to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to watch and learn at the FEI Show Jumping World Cup Finals.
Jayne, 20, trains with his father, Alex, and Missy Clark. "This win means a lot," said Jayne. "After all the hard work my dad, mom and Missy did for me and all the support they gave me, I'm glad that I was able to do this for them and for me."
Jayne didn't win any of the three first phases of the competition--the flatwork phase, gymnastics phase and final course--but consistently good scores kept him in the hunt, and placed him fourth, qualifying him for the final four of the competition. And it was Jayne's polished rides in the fourth phase that earned him the blue. Addison Phillips had finished the three phases in first, with her barnmate, Maggie McAlary, just behind her in second. Jayne's college roommate at Florida Atlantic University, Michael Delfiandra, placed third to qualify for the final four as well.
On The Way To The Final Four
A record field of 71 starters started the competition, which began with a separate, straightforward flat phase, instead of the combined flat/gymnastics segment that had been utilized for a number of years.
Whitney Goulart, Mendham, N.J., won the initial section with a score of 91, followed by last year's runner-up, Maria Schaub, Holmdel, N.J., who got a 90. They were the only competitors in the 90s, but Jayne was hot on their heels with an 89.
Following the gymnastics phase, McAlary, of Amherst, N.H., went to the top of the class on a 227-point total for two phases. Although she originally was tied with her close friend, New York City resident Phillips, her winning score of 96 in the gymnastics was the tiebreaker.
Jayne, a night student at Florida Atlantic University, stood third on 215 points at the halfway point, while Delfiandra of Delray Beach, Fla., had 212.5.
McAlary and Phillips benefitted from riding their own horses, Mid-Accord and Flight. Jayne was aboard a statuesque gray Hanoverian, Cassino Z, belonging to his girlfriend, Lauren Sturges, who wound up the Talent Search Finals in 15th place, while Delfiandra was on LeGrand, a borrowed mount as well.
Delfiandra's score of 190 won the jumping phase, putting him into the final four. Jack Hardin Towell placed second with a 188.
And while a major equitation final win eluded Charlie Jayne in his junior years, he made up for it with victory in the USEF Talent Search Finals-East, held at the historic U.S. Equestrian Team headquarters in Gladstone, N.J., on Oct. 7-8.
Grand prix rider Alison Firestone, who judged the class with Morris, assessed Jayne as, "a very effective rider."
Said Morris, "He has a beautiful touch; he has a beautiful eye. He can ride very softly, but he also can ride very strongly. No matter what presented itself, he could cope."
Jayne was second in his only other attempt at this final, in 2003. He was third in the Tad Coffin WIHS Equitation Classic Finals (D.C.) in 2004, and was a dominant force in the junior hunter and jumper ranks. He also won the 2006 USET Foundation Maxine Beard Award, enabling him to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to watch and learn at the FEI Show Jumping World Cup Finals.
Jayne, 20, trains with his father, Alex, and Missy Clark. "This win means a lot," said Jayne. "After all the hard work my dad, mom and Missy did for me and all the support they gave me, I'm glad that I was able to do this for them and for me."
Jayne didn't win any of the three first phases of the competition--the flatwork phase, gymnastics phase and final course--but consistently good scores kept him in the hunt, and placed him fourth, qualifying him for the final four of the competition. And it was Jayne's polished rides in the fourth phase that earned him the blue. Addison Phillips had finished the three phases in first, with her barnmate, Maggie McAlary, just behind her in second. Jayne's college roommate at Florida Atlantic University, Michael Delfiandra, placed third to qualify for the final four as well.
On The Way To The Final Four
A record field of 71 starters started the competition, which began with a separate, straightforward flat phase, instead of the combined flat/gymnastics segment that had been utilized for a number of years.
Whitney Goulart, Mendham, N.J., won the initial section with a score of 91, followed by last year's runner-up, Maria Schaub, Holmdel, N.J., who got a 90. They were the only competitors in the 90s, but Jayne was hot on their heels with an 89.
Following the gymnastics phase, McAlary, of Amherst, N.H., went to the top of the class on a 227-point total for two phases. Although she originally was tied with her close friend, New York City resident Phillips, her winning score of 96 in the gymnastics was the tiebreaker.
Jayne, a night student at Florida Atlantic University, stood third on 215 points at the halfway point, while Delfiandra of Delray Beach, Fla., had 212.5.
McAlary and Phillips benefitted from riding their own horses, Mid-Accord and Flight. Jayne was aboard a statuesque gray Hanoverian, Cassino Z, belonging to his girlfriend, Lauren Sturges, who wound up the Talent Search Finals in 15th place, while Delfiandra was on LeGrand, a borrowed mount as well.
Delfiandra's score of 190 won the jumping phase, putting him into the final four. Jack Hardin Towell placed second with a 188.
