Eila Fisk (Aiken, S.C.) and Quaresma, a 2016 Oldenburg gelding (Quantensprung 3 x Feurstenball OLD), owned by Gina Fisk, topped the Young Rider Individual Freestyle with a score of 72.600%, earning their third gold medal of the week. “It just really speaks to Quaresma’s heart,” Fisk said. “As a horse, he is so consistent and always tries his hardest. He’ll always put forward as clean of a test as he can. I’m especially proud because it’s our first year at this level and the idea that he can pull that off — it’s a wild feeling.”

Photo – Eila Fisk and Quaresma claimed the Young Rider Individual Freestyle title, securing their third gold medal of the week at the FEI North American Youth Championships. (US Equestrian)

Fisk credited her family’s business, Zia Equestrian, for providing both her trainer and her horse over the past several years, along with additional riding opportunities that rounded out her preparation. “It really all comes together, from Quaresma to my other horses, to my trainer, Laura Abner, and the barn,” she said. “I would have never thought at the beginning of the week that we’d take home three gold medals.”

Showcase

Fisk’s freestyle, choreographed to ’80s-inspired music, was built to showcase Quaresma’s half-passes and pirouettes. “Last minute, we decided to add some degree of difficulty with our tempis on a circle, and to see that come out successful today was crazy. A couple of months ago we were just trying to get four changes on a line straight,” she said. “I’m so happy with how it turned out.”

Eliza Marshall (CAN) and Ramazzotti Langholt, her own 2017 Danish Warmblood (Revolution x Unknown), earned silver with a personal-best score of 72.125%. “I think it was about trusting the horse,” Marshall said. “I’ve been a little conservative these past two days, and coming fourth yesterday made me want this. To have that focus and be able to ask of him. That’s a very cool feeling, and he’s only nine.” Marshall, in her first year at the Young Rider level, thanked her longtime trainer, as well as her family. “It’s my first year at Young Riders, and his first year at this level too, so it’s really exciting to be here with something I’ve had the chance to develop.”

Crazy Surreal

Alison Campbell-Wright (CAN) and Vintage, a 2016 Oldenburg gelding (Exquis Vivaldi x Belissimo NRW), owned by Bonnie Campbell, rounded out the podium with a score of 72.015% for bronze, Campbell-Wright’s second medal of the week. “Honestly, it feels crazy surreal,” she said. “We just got Vintage in December, so I was happy to be here and experience a bigger atmosphere with him. Coming out with two medals is insane. I don’t think it’s fully registered yet.” Campbell-Wright said the week taught her to trust the process. “I’ve been so focused on everything that needs to be perfect and detailed. Coming into the weekend, I really trusted him more each day, and it was fun to just play around and see what he can do.”

Full Results