San Juan Capistrano, Calif. – September 27, 2024 – Following three phases of competition against junior and adult riders from up and down the West Coast, Sophia Blake and Katalina Raiszadeh left the Blenheim International Jumping Festival in San Juan Capistrano, CA, as newly crowned champions. For Blake, victory on September 21 came aboard Carleo in the USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final – West, while Raiszadeh rode Dublin to the win in the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final – West.
Blake’s ascent to the top of the Adult Jumping Seat leaderboard began with the Flat Phase on Friday, September 20. At the conclusion of the opening phase, judges Melissa Bark and Rachel Kennedy had pinned Blake in third on a score of 90. Sitting in first place with a score of 93 was Caroline Ingalls, followed closely by Margrethe Munkdale on a score of 91.
“The Flat Phase asked really great questions, with leg yielding, counter canter and no stirrup work,” said Blake, who then moved up to second place following the Gymnastics Phase.
Heading into the final Jumping Phase on Saturday morning, Ingalls retained her lead, but not for long, as Blake expertly maneuvered Carleo over the Anthony D’Ambrosio-designed course to clinch the win.
Finishing in second place after earning the highest score in the Jumping Phase was Kelsey King aboard Closing Time. Third place went to Munkdale aboard Look At Me. Look At Me was additionally presented with the Best Equitation Horse Award.
“I thought each phase went really well for me, and my horse is really talented, so he was able to do them great,” said Blake, who trains with Tasha Visokay. “I think Blenheim is such an amazing place to hold this final. There are so many different options, between the grass and sand rings, and the atmosphere is so inviting.”
For full results of the USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final – West, click here.
In the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final – West, Raiszadeh’s rise to the top included an impressive comeback all the way from 15th following the Flat Phase. With a score of 82 in the Gymnastics Phase, Raiszadeh jumped up to third place, and a Jumping Phase score of 89 took her the rest of the way to the top.
“I’m just super excited that I got this [win],” said Raiszadeh, who hails from Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and trains with Emily Esau Williams. “This is my first time ever winning a final, so from here on out, I’ll definitely be grateful for the opportunity – grateful for everything and everyone that made this possible.”
Raiszadeh continued, “This is probably one of my favorite shows; I enjoy riding here [at Blenheim EquiSports] a lot. It’s really beautiful, and I think my horse Dublin likes it a lot here too!”
Finishing in second place were Brooke O’Malley and Quijote, and Molly Copeland and Jinter van het Hagehof took home third and the Best Equitation Horse Award. For full results of the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final – West, click here.
To learn more about the USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal, visit ushja.com/jumpingseatmedal.
