Zone 2 took gold in the pre-junior competition while Zone 4 topped the children’s team final on Thursday, the second day of competition at the 2025 Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships, held at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, Michigan, during week five of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. 

After Wednesday’s individual speed round and both rounds of the team final, Zone 2 stepped onto the top spot of the podium in the pre-junior category, led by Chef d’Equipe Krista Freundlich.

Gold medals were presented to Cecilia Chatterjee of New York City riding Victor Depaolo’s Cartouche VD Cumel; Agatha Lignelli of New York City aboard her own Xo Kiara; Kaitlyn Linck of Clinton Corners, New York, on FF Happy Hour 21, owned by Freestyling Farms; and Rylie True of Bedminster, New Jersey, with Esperanza Imports’ Quick Bob.

With Wednesday’s competition penalties carrying forward to determine their standing, the team held a score of only 3.22 penalties heading into Thursday’s team final where they only added a single rail to their total for a winning performance. 

Lignelli won Wednesday’s opening day competition and was foot-perfect over both rounds of the team final to lead Zone 2 to the victory. 

“This is such a special event, and Xo Kiara is a long-time partner for me,” said Lignelli, 15, who is in her first year as a pre-junior. “All of us are grateful to have such an incredible zone. This is everything anyone could ask for. We are all friends as well, so we are here to support each other; it’s extremely special for all of us.”

Taking silver was Zone 4 represented by Alexa Curry (Plantation, Florida) on Quentin K, Laila Murad (Wellington, Florida) riding I Can Ajh, Collin Sweetnam (Wellington, Florida) aboard Sugar Girl and Marielle Walrath (Ocean Ridge, Florida) with Vox Dei. 

The bronze medal was presented to a combined Zone 1 and 9 team. Zone 1 athletes included Eva Mackenzie of Darien, Connecticut, riding Idol H&H and Jordan Rich of Wayland, Massachusetts, on Sebastian, while Zone 9 was represented by Iris Hickey of Washougal, Washington, with Daiquiri and Grace Wahlberg of Harrison, Idaho, aboard Zeppelin Blue. 

The top 25 pre-juniors from Wednesday and Thursday’s classes will return to the arena on Saturday with the opportunity to earn a medal in the individual final. All results from individual qualifications and team classes will count towards their overall individual standings. 

Children’s Zone 4 Grabs Gold

With a true team effort on the second day of jumping, Zone 4, led by Chef d’Equipe Kim Land, was awarded the gold medal in the children’s category. 

Finishing on a score of 8 faults after Thursday’s two rounds, gold medals were presented to Lola Bacardi of Reddick, Florida, on her own Top New Tina; Ryan Haselden of Cumming, Georgia, aboard her own Hector Du Gue; Khloe Kerins of Wellington, Florida, riding Small Change; and Jesus Rigu of Parkland, Florida, on Gianni Gabrielli’s Excel.

Carrying forward a fault-free score from Wednesday’s competition, Zone 4 kept their tally to a single rail in each round on Thursday. The team was led by Kerins, 13, in her first-ever appearance at NAYC, who jumped three clear rounds to keep her team in the hunt. 

“This feels very good,” she said. “I was not expecting it. My horse is very good, and I am so happy. I’ve been riding [Small Change] for three months. He’s quirky but such a nice horse to ride and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

“It means a lot to be sitting at this table,” added Haselden, 13. “My horse is amazing and he always gives his best. He has a huge heart.”

The silver medal went to a combined Zone 9 and 10 team, represented by Olivia Wright of San Juan Capistrano, California, on her own Happyfee; Ellington Vasan of Los Altos Hills, California, riding Bling VD Duvelshoeve Z; Honor Coulter of Hailey, Idaho, aboard her own Clark; and Slate Mellencamp Arroyave of Encino, California, on Clase Azul.

Canada, represented by Clara Zdunich of Foothills, Alberta, on GCS Rosie; Lexi Pathy of Westmount, Quebec, riding Billy Lincoln, Emma Ludwar of Calgary, Alberta, aboard Cleverboy Van’t Gelutt Z; and Keira Smith of Burlington, Ontario, with Hautrantzau took bronze. 

Children’s athletes will also have the opportunity to earn individual medals during Saturday’s final. The points they have accumulated so far will count towards their overall individual standings for the week. 

For complete results from Thursday’s competition, click here.