The 2025 Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships (NAYC), presented by USHJA, continued Thursday at Flintfields Horse Park during week five of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders. Team titles in the Pre-Junior and Children’s categories were awarded following two days of intense competition.
Zone 2 Secures Pre-Junior Team Gold
After a strong performance in Wednesday’s Individual Speed Round and both phases of Thursday’s team final, Zone 2 emerged as the Pre-Junior Team Champion. The squad produced a composed and consistent effort across both days, finishing with just 7.22 penalties—only one rail added in the final rounds.
The gold-medal-winning team included:
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Cecilia Chatterjee (New York, N.Y.) with Cartouche vd Cumel, a 2013 Zangersheide mare owned by Victor Depaolo
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Agatha Lignelli (New York, N.Y.) aboard Xo Kiara, a 2012 Anglo European mare owned by Alexa Elle Lignelli
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Kaitlyn Linck (Clinton Corners, N.Y.) riding FF Happy Hour 21, a 2016 Westphalian mare owned by Freestyling Farms
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Rylie True (Bedminster, N.J.) on Quick Bob, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding owned by Esperanza Imports
Agatha Lignelli played a pivotal role in the team’s success, winning Wednesday’s opener and delivering two clear rounds in the team final.
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“This is such a special event, and Xo Kiara is a longtime partner for me,” said Lignelli. “I’m so grateful for this incredible team. We’re all friends, we support each other, and that made this experience even more meaningful.”
The Zone 2 team was led by Chef d’Équipe Krista Freundlich.
Zone 4 Takes Silver; Combined Zone 1/9 Team Earns Bronze
Zone 4 clinched the silver medal with team members:
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Alexa Curry (Plantation, Fla.) – Quentin K
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Laila Murad (Wellington, Fla.) – I Can Ajh
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Collin Sweetnam (Wellington, Fla.) – Sugar Girl
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Marielle Walrath (Ocean Ridge, Fla.) – Vox Dei
The bronze medal went to a combined team from Zones 1 and 9, featuring:
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Eva Mackenzie (Darien, Conn.) – Idol H&H
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Jordan Rich (Wayland, Mass.) – Sebastian
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Iris Hickey (Washougal, Wash.) – Daiquiri
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Grace Wahlberg (Harrison, Idaho) – Zeppelin Blue
Next Up: Pre-Junior Individual Final
The top 25 Pre-Junior athletes from Wednesday and Thursday will return on Saturday to contest the Individual Final. Scores from all previous rounds, including team and qualification classes, will contribute to the final individual standings.
