Wow I agreed with the judges. Well done everyone.
2 Likes
If Iâm remembering âwhoâ correctly, she impressed me at the in-gate. She was smiling and smiling and patting her horse before she even went in the ring for her second round.
A few of my favorite horses notably missing this year⊠Waldo, Cent 15, Acer K.
So enjoyable to watch again this year. Carleeâs trip was so slick, the clear winner. Congratulations to all.
1 Like
GR150 Young Rider
In the International Disciplines individuals are eligible as Young Riders or Young Drivers from the beginning of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 16 until the end of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 21.
Doesnât say anything about being an amateur. Iâm probably more aware of this because, in my dressage days, there was a young amateur in the barn who, according to the rules of the day, couldnât ride in the adult amateur classes because she was a Young Rider. But couldnât ride in the junior classes because she was 18/o. Thus she ended up in a sort of purgatory. This was twenty or so years ago and hopefully itâs been fixed.
I was actually a little surprised about the gift cards, since it says very clearly in the rules that prize money is not allowed for equitation classes. But I guess because itâs a gift card instead of cash, itâs acceptable? 
@Peggy: I had a same question. I see that GR150 does not make any mention of amateur status. For the Talent Search, I think thatâs aligned with the intent: look for talent that can ride on the US teams. Since the team riders are not limited to amateurs, the lack of requirement to be one for the talent search makes sense (to me).
2 Likes
I wish they would be able to give prize money in the eq classes. Since the riders can accept $ as junior riders, ie they are defined as amateurs no matter what, it sure seems silly not to have $ in the eq classes. I know this would take a rule change, but that change would seem to be aligned with providing more equity among riders.
The riders donât win money as juniors. The horses win the money, so the money goes to the owner of the horse, whoever that may be.
Juniors are not defined as amateurs. They are completely separate things until the rider ages out of the juniors. At that point, the rider is either an amateur or a professional.
1 Like
And I think this is probably how WECâs big class gets away with it tooâthe kids win a car, the trainers win the cash.
Yes, although I wonder about who gets to pay the taxes on it when they win an expensive car.
Wow. The boy who finished second was doing the Medal final for the first time. 
4 Likes
The winnerâs test for anyone who missed it.
https://x.com/usefnetwork/status/1713765760210726977?s=46&t=NfYG97zAd6l1PxuUmWM6fQ
2 Likes
Remarks from the winner.
2 Likes
A few more details.
1 Like
Yes, but he has been doing some Big Eq since 2021, at least. IIRC he did some pretty consistent equitation stuff with Shane and co out west over the past years, but maybe only 3â until this year or last. Perhaps just had never qualified! He did also have his first U25 Grand Prix win this year, very good riding kid.
3 Likes
I will say it is certainly a challenge for your average run-of-the-mill kid with one horse to compete in that class against the other kids who won on their other horse that week in the junior jumpers, or were grand champion in the junior hunters, or are winning in the U25 Grand Prix classes. But that is the nature of competition.
This is what he said after the class:
âI really liked the test; it was very well put together, and Iâm very grateful for everything,â said Nelson, who trains with Ken and Emily Smith at Ashland Farms. âPretty much in March, I started the equitation, and I was introduced to Ashland. I owe everything to them. They taught me practically everything I know about the eq. Today, I was just hoping to put some good rounds down â just make myself happy, do the best I can and just have fun.â
For Nelson, of Santa Barbara, CA, the mount that helped make his Medal Final debut such a successful one was Quite Cassini, a 19-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Ashland Farms.
âI was very confident on Cassini; heâs competed here and was second in 2019 with Jordan Allen. I owe everything to him,â concluded Nelson.â
6 Likes
This might be a stupid question, but can anyone explain the boots/footwear on Alex Rydenâs horse?
Was that one of the ones wearing the black socks? Thatâs a new thing thatâs supposed to help keep the legs from getting scurf or grunge or what have you by keeping them clean and preventing the footing from irritating their skin.
The one that really made my eye twitch was the gray horse that had the socks on in front, but they were not the same height. That was almost too much for me. Lol.
1 Like
I totally agree - even with a history of doing age equitation on the west coast, and the 1.30-1.40 jumpers, the âbig leaguesâ Big Eq is a totally different beast. I think he won a class at Devon this year too - so impressive, and such a testament to his versatility and skill as a rider to basically go from never doing it to 2nd at a major medal final in just a season. He rides beautifully!
6 Likes
