It was a joyful day in the Young Rider division as Lexie Kment (Palmyra, Neb.) and Gatino Van Hof Olympia, a 2011 KWPN gelding (Apache x P Siltana VH Olympia), owned by Jami Kment, clinched the Young Rider National Championship on an overall score of 70.049%. Fresh off a strong summer season, including NAYC, Kment was beaming as she reflected on the journey with her partner.  Look HERE for USA Dressage on Social Media.

(Photo:  Gatino Van Hof Olympia and Lexie Kment. ©Isabelle Whiteside_US Equestrian)

My test today was so special,” said Kment. “One of my favorite moments was walking into the arena. My mom looked at me and said, ‘Lexie, be joyful, praising God as you go around, and when you enter that ring, you’re the eye of the tiger.’ And I said, ‘Yep, you got it!’”

We Were Flying

Kment shared that her highlight in the test came when she and Gatino finally put together a series of movements that had challenged them in past competitions. “The last two competitions I had gotten the first three tempis beautifully, and then I just stopped riding them,” she explained with a laugh. “Today I got all five, and they felt so good. And that last medium canter felt like we were flying.”

Earning the reserve championship with an overall score of 68.408% was Virginia Woodcock (Atlanta, Ga.) aboard Møllegårdens Sans-Souci, her own 2014 Danish Warmblood mare (Sir Donnerhall x Sascha) marking an impressive debut year at the Young Rider level.

Proud Of How I Rode

“My test was great. I couldn’t ask anything more of my mare and truly of myself,” said Woodcock. “It’s been a journey to get to this level for both of us, but very valuable to come up the levels together. I’m really proud of how I rode and how well she stuck with me.”

Woodcock noted that the pirouettes were a particular highlight in her test.

Have The Time Of My Life

“Sometimes those can be a sticky spot for us, but today they went well, and I was so proud coming out of both of them,” she said. “Just being on her in the warmup, I know that I’m going to have the time of my life.”

Woodcock, who leaves Festival as reserve champion in her first year at the level, was still soaking it all in. “I truly did not expect this in my first year as a Young Rider,” she said. “My horse is just fantastic, and this place, this competition — I always just love it here at Festival. I’ve enjoyed this week so much, and I’m so thankful.”

Taking third place was Sophia Forsyth (Walpole, Mass.) and Dimagico, her own 2014 Hanoverian gelding (Dimaggio x Femme Jazz), earning a final score of 67.746% to secure third place.

Full Results