Parker, Colo.—July 29

 Nothing could stop Mexico from capturing the gold medals in Saturday’s junior NAJYRC team show jumping competition—not even a teammate being forced to retire after snapping a rein mid-course.

The team representing Mexico’s northern regions finished on a score of 16 faults in the Nations Cup-style class, a full 12 faults ahead of the U.S. silver medalists from Zone 10 (Hunter Siebel on AD Vangelys, Dalan Laughlin on Babiole, Sarah Baz on Abadan and Sydney Hutchins on Zorlando).The bronze medals went to the combined Zones 2 and 9 team (Megan Hilton on Washington, Lilly Higgins on Zinnia, and Lucy Matz on Bailey VI).

During the second round, Mexico’s anchor rider, Yago Alvarez del Castillo, was jumping through a one-stride combination early in the course when his left rein popped off the bit, forcing him to retire.

“I had a technical problem in the second round, but we had a really good result, and I’m glad to be here,” Castillo, 16, said. He and Coloredo 2 picked up 8 faults in today’s Round 1 before their forced retirement in Round 2. (Riders also jumped a speed round on Wednesday.) “I check [the tack] every time I ride the horse, I check everything, and it was fine. So when it popped out, I was disappointed, but we had a good result.”

Yago Alvarez del Castillo and Coloredo 2 jumping the one-stride combination in round one. This is the combination where Coloredo 2’s left rein broke in Round 2. Photo by Ann Glavan.

Very good, indeed. Castillo and his teammates’ Carlos Hank Guerrerio (Santos), Antonio Abascal Secchi (Continio 4), and Cristobal Collado’s (Corin 3) comments on how it felt to bring home gold medals for Mexico were punctuated by thunderous cheers from parents and well wishers.

“I’m just really happy to have my teammates here, and that we all did a good job and won a gold medal,” said Collado, 18. He was the drop score in Round 1 after picking up 13 faults with Corin 3, but he rallied to post a clear second round score.

“It’s always really important; we came here last year, and I got bronze, and I was looking to improve,” Guerrerio, 16, said. He posted two clear rounds for Mexico aboard Santos. “Mexico hasn’t won a gold medal in a few years.”

Carlos Hank Guerrerio and Santos. Photo by Ann Glavan.

The win was by no means an easy one—the tough Manuel Esparza designed course saw faults everywhere. The course had two triple combinations, one coming early in the course (3abc) and one late (10abc), as well as a one-stride combination. Riders also had to land from the open water and either settle quickly for eight strides or push on for seven, being sure to leave the careful vertical up at the end.

“When I walked the course, I thought that it was a technical course. It wasn’t going to be easy,” Secchi, 15, said. His mount, Continio 4, had one rail down in each round. “I wanted to go clean, I couldn’t, but I thought our expectations were the same one as the result. We always wanted to win, and we won.”  

Antonio Abascal Secchi and Continio 4. Photo by Ann Glavan.

See full NAJYRC results.

Make sure to read all the Chronicle’s in-depth coverage of all disciplines at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in the Aug. 15 issue of The Chronicle of the Horse, which is also the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships Preview issue.