Persevering Through the Storm – The 2021 FEI North American Youth Championships

Thankfully, all competitors, horses, staff, and volunteers were safe and sound after the storm.  But now, they faced the monumental task of resetting and repairing the showgrounds, making them usable, so the competition could continue.  As horse people always do, everyone banded together to help, and soon the show was back on!

The delay didn’t affect the competitors – they were ready!  Sisters Lexie & Kylee Kment, of Palmyra, Nebraska, were making their NAYC debut – and storm or not, they were ready to rock and roll.  Fifteen-year-old Lexie would be riding Trakehner gelding Montagny von der Heide in the competition.  Owned by Laureen van Norman, the 17-year-old gelding and Lexie have a fairly new partnership, having only been together for nine months.  This was their first competition together.  Big sister Kylee (aged 17) would be aboard Honor, a 9-year-old gelding owned by Jami Kment.

Putting their show nerves aside, the sisters made their first trip down centerline in their NAYC debut – and they didn’t disappoint! Representing Region 4 in the Junior Team Test, the sisters, with Ella Fruchterman aboard Holts Le’Mans, brought home the first gold medal of the 2021 NAYC, with a team score of 202.667.   No time to rest on their laurels though, as they had more championship classes coming up!

USDF Region 7, which finished second in the Junior Team Test, took gold in the Young Rider Team Final with a combined score of 210.235.  Their team was represented by Erin Nichols aboard Handsome Rob AR, Miki Yang with Donavan, Katherine Mathews with Solière, and Christian Simonson with Zeaball Diawind.  Mathews couldn’t help but to commend the facility on their handling of the storm.  “This is my second time competing at NAYC, and it’s beautiful here,” she said. “The footing is amazing, we had torrential downpours, so it was a lake one day, and then completely rideable the next. It’s been a wonderful facility to compete at this year.”

The Kment sisters continued their stellar week in the NAYC Junior Individual Championship.  Lexie and Montagny von der Heide came out on top, with a score of 69.235%.  Kylee Kment with Honor, with 68.941%, finished second, and Kat Fuqua and Dream Girl earned bronze.  The sisters, while competitive with each other, were thrilled to share the podium together.  “It feels amazing to be up here again,” Kylee said, after her team gold medal team performance from the day before. “This doesn’t happen! It’s crazy! Obviously, Lexie beat me, and I am so proud of her, I am just so proud. When we saw her scores coming in I was like, ‘She’s going to do it!’ and she did it! It is so special to have her up here with me too.” 

The action continued in the Young Rider division.  Christian Simonson would become a familiar name for those watching the competition.  The 18-year-old Young Rider, aboard 9-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Zeaball Diawind (owned by Christina Morgan) earned their second gold medal, with a personal best score of 75.353% in the Individual Final.  Miki Yang and Donavan notched silver, and Tillie Jones with Qi Gong TF earned bronze.

Then, it was time for freestyle day!  The storm now seemed like a distant memory, with competitors beaming aboard their mounts on the way to and from the arena. 

In an exciting conclusion to the competition, Christian Simonson and Zeaball Diawind shattered the NAYC record for the highest score in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle Test, with a scintillating 78.935%, earning them their third gold medal of the competition.  The silver went to Allison Nemeth with Tiko, and Tillie Jones and Qi Gong TF brought home another medal with bronze.

Lexie Kment was ready to cap off her already amazing week with her freestyle ride in the Junior Division.  Aboard Montagny von der Heide, Lexie earned another gold with a final score of 74.775%, sweeping the division’s top honors. Julia McDonald and Lehndorff van de Vogelzang finished second, with Kat Fuqua and Dream Girl getting another podium finish.  Lexie said afterwards, “I am pretty speechless. I don’t even know what to say right now. It’s amazing!”

For her phenomenal week, USDF awarded Lexie Kment and Montagny von der Heide the Amanda Johnson “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy.  This trophy, which is on permanent display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, is awarded to the Junior rider who earns the highest combined average score in the three dressage tests: FEI Junior Team, Individual, and Freestyle.

“Presenting the inaugural Amanda Johnson ‘Pursuit of Excellence’ Trophy was quite an emotional moment for me,” said Roberta Williams, USDF FEI Jr/YR Committee Chair. “Amanda was our student when she represented Region 4 at three NAYC competitions, as well as when she went down her first Grand Prix centerline. I sewed her buttons on and dried her tears when she missed her tempi changes. Amanda Johnson epitomizes the values of what this program is all about. Not just the hard work and dedication, but the horsemanship and the sportsmanship. With Junior Riders now competing for the ‘Amanda Johnson’ trophy, her legacy is sure to not be forgotten. Maybe it is no coincidence that the inaugural winner is from Region 4. Perhaps Mandy was whispering in Lexie’s ear.” 

Christian Simonson and Zeaball Diawind were awarded the Fiona Baan “Pursuit of Excellence” Memorial Trophy at NAYC.  This trophy is awarded to the Young Rider who earns the highest combined average score in the three dressage tests: FEI Young Rider Team, Individual, and Freestyle. Simonson placed first in the team, individual, and freestyle tests, with scores of 73.588%, 75.353%, and 78.935% respectively, securing the win with an overall combined average of 75.959%.

While the competition itself was fabulous, watching Juniors and Young Riders make their dreams come true, it was all made possible by the hardworking staff and volunteers at the Flintfields Horse Park.

Region 9’s Chef d’Equipe Benjamin Pfabe was awarded the Albers Award perpetual trophy.  The Albers Award is named in honor of long-time USDF Region 1 Chef d’Equipe Patsy Albers. The award is presented annually at the North American Youth Dressage Championships, to the dressage chef d’equipe who best demonstrates the same level of dedication, enthusiasm, and team spirit shown by Patsy, throughout the years.

“Benny’s calm, quiet demeanor was the perfect foil to the challenges that Mother Nature unleashed on competitors at this year’s NAYC. Benny dealt with each curve ball, keeping the best interest of his team in front of him and that is what makes a great chef,” stated Roberta Williams, USDF FEI Jr/YR Committee Chair.

For their monumental efforts to keep the show running in the face of the destruction of the storm, the whole team at the showgrounds was awarded the Howard B. Simpson High Five Trophy, which is awarded annually to the volunteer who best exemplifies Howard’s spirit of volunteering. This award, presented by the United States Equestrian Federation, honors Howard B. Simpson who served as the NAYRC Director at Tempel Farms for many years, and was also a sponsor and tireless volunteer. The recipient of this award embodies Howard’s dedication and commitment to the championships.