Kyle Cline piloted Cazz C to victory in the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal - West.
San Juan Capistrano, Calif.—Sept. 22, 2020 - The West Coast iteration of the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal wrapped up on Sunday, September 20 after two days and four rounds of competition at Blenheim Equisports' International Jumping Festival. Moving up to the leading spot in the final phases, Kyle Cline rode Cazz C to claim the title and take the victory gallop around Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park's Grand Prix field.
The first day of the Final's competition, Saturday kicked off with the Flat Phase. All 36 riders and their horses were put through their paces, demonstrating lengthening the stride and counter canter among other advanced flatwork. Charley Stowell took an early lead with Elvenstar Farm's Milan, topping the first phase with a score of 90, and Cline followed closely with an 88 on Linda Levorchick's Cazz C.
Riders then took to a tough Gymnastics Phase, which shuffled the bottom half of the leaderboard by the end of the day. Stowell found herself holding onto the lead heading into the second day. Her two-phase score of 223.5 put her slightly ahead of Cline's 217, which left him still sitting in second.
Sunday held the Jumping Phase, where riders returned in reverse order from the previous day's results. Held over a course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio, the final phase shook up the rankings again, but Cline and Stowell remained the top two by the time the last rider left the ring. With scores of 391 and 388.5, respectively, across all three phases, Cline and Stowell were called back for a work-off to decide the final placings. In the eyes of judges Tony Sgarlata and William Sparks, the shortened course secured the win for Cline.
"Over the course of the two days I felt that my rounds stayed fairly consistent with no large gap between the scores. I enjoyed competing in the Final since it’s such a competitive and well-organized class. The three phases are definitely one of the best aspects, pushing the riders at the top to stay consistent or giving others who didn’t do as well in one phase the chance to make it up in the next," said Cline, of Laguna Hills, California. "Usually I don’t really feel pressure, but going into the final phase, there was definitely some inner tension to have a nice, smooth round."
"I feel incredibly privileged to have been this year's winner and am eternally grateful for Cazz C, who always tries his heart out, and the whole team at Bridgeport Farms for their constant hard work to better us," he continued.
For his victory, Cline received a pair of Parlanti paddock boots, a Charles Owen helmet, a gift from Straight Arrow, an Essex Classics Show Shirt and a certificate for FITS Breeches, in addition to his ribbon and sash.
The award for Best Equitation Horse and a CWD halter went to Shiloh Roseboom's mount, Venice, owned by Enchantment Farms, LLC.
Charley Stowell topped the flat phase aboard Milan and placed second overall.
The EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal provides Junior exhibitors with the opportunity to develop their equitation skills over a jumper-style course, aiming to help riders gain experience in a format similar to that of the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Program. The Medal is open to Junior active members of US Equestrian and USHJA who have not reached their 18th birthday as of December 1 of the current competition year.
For 2020 only, the 130 highest pointed riders on the East Coast and 100 highest pointed riders on the West Coast were accepted to compete in the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Finals hosted on either coast. The EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Finals - East will take place September 25-26, 2020, at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Wilmington, Ohio.
The USHJA extends special thanks to the entire Blenheim EquiSports team for hosting the event. USHJA also thanks Title Sponsor EMO Insurance; Official Sponsors CWD Sellier, Parlanti and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital; Championship Official Sponsors Straight Arrow, Charles Owen; and Awards Sponsors Essex Classics and FITS Riding.
Photos by McCool Photography.
EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Final - West Results
Placing - Name - Horse - Trainer
1 - Kyle Cline - Cazz C - Lee Flick
2 - Charley Stowell - Milan - James Hagman
3 - Quinn Ferreira - Crack One - Tina Yates
4 - Londyn Samlaska - Quadro d'Ag - Emily Esau Williams
5 - Sienna Gustafson - Unique de la Chesnee - Heatherly Davis
6 - Isabel Coxe - Alant - Kate Considine
7 - Makenzie Damus - Coolman - Georgy Maskrey-Segesman
8 - Madison Sanders - Calvandani Z - Heatherly Davis
9 - Shea Brown - Emontro - Emily Esau Williams
10 - Shiloh Roseboom - Venice - Christa Endicott
11 - Della Walker - Twizzler - Cassandra Karazissis
12 - Mia Jones - Friedrich the 3rd - Carolyn Biava