Parker, Colo.—July 30

 Sophie Simpson was truly in a league of her own in the young rider individual competition at NAJYRC.

Simpson won the opening speed round, put in two clear efforts for her team the next day to win gold, and topped it all off with two clear rounds in the individual competition to add another gold medal to her haul. 

The three medalists: Delaney Flynn, Sophie Simpson and Jennifer Gates. Photo by Lisa Slade.

Even Simpson could hardly believe she and her mare Why Not had pulled it off.  

“Five clear rounds, that’s crazy,” Simpson said with a laugh, shaking her head. “When you sit in the stands, and you watch previous years, you think, ‘Wow how can I get five clear rounds in a row out of a horse?’ ”

Start with a building a strong partnership with a spectacular animal. Simpson has been bringing the same quirky chestnut mare to NAJYRC for four years; three of which were spent in the junior division; 2016 being her first year moving up to the young rider level. 

Sophie Simpson and Why Not. Photo by Ann Glavan.

After coming into the competition with such dominating performances in the early rounds, all eyes were on Simpson on the final day of competition.

“I just had to keep a clear head and a clear mind and didn’t want to see the paper as to where I stood,” Simpson said. “I didn’t want to see how many faults were behind me. I just take every round for what it is, and here we are.”

The silver medal went to Delaney Flynn, Scottsdale, Ariz., riding Taxco de la Nutria.

“The second day was built a lot scopier than the team day, which is when the horses are tired. I think that challenged a lot of horses and riders,” she said. 

The bronze medal went to Jennifer Gates riding Luftikus S. 

Delaney Flynn and Tacxo de la Nutria. Photo by Ann Glavan.

Jennifer Gates and Luftikus S. Photo by Ann Glavan.

Celebrating! Photo by Leslie Mintz.

You can find full results on the NAJYRC website, or check out all of the Chronicle’s NAJYRC coverage.