Agatha Lignelli and Khloe Kerins Top Pre-Junior and Children’s Podiums at FEI North American Youth Championships
Individual medals were awarded in the children’s and pre-junior categories on Saturday at the 2025 Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships (NAYC), presented by USHJA, hosted by Traverse City Horse Shows during week five of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders.
Agatha Lignelli Sweeps Pre-Junior Category
After jumping to team gold for Zone 2 on Thursday, 15-year-old Agatha Lignelli (New York, N.Y.) continued her perfect performance and secured individual gold during Saturday’s pre-junior individual final. Her mount Xo Kiara, a 13-year-old Anglo European mare (Billy Mexico x Billy Congo) owned by her sister Alexa Elle Lignelli, didn’t touch a single fence throughout all five rounds of competition.
“I didn’t think it could get much better after last year,” said Lignelli after also winning two gold medals in the children’s category in 2024. “My horse was absolutely incredible, and I don’t think I could have done any better myself.”
Xo Kiara is the former mount of Lignelli’s older sister Alexa, who offered some wisdom to Agathe before NAYC. “She told me to take every jump by itself, and don’t think what’s behind you,” said Agatha, who has competed the horse for over two years now. “Coming to the final fence, I was in a daze. When I looked up and there were no faults, I was so happy.”
The pre-junior silver medal was presented to Collin Sweetnam (Wellington, Fla.) aboard Sugar Girl, an 11-year-old mare (Sandokan x Contendro I) owned by Sweet Oak Farm. After carrying a single rail through from opening day, Sweetnam and his mare were foot perfect throughout the team rounds and the individual final.
“In that last round, she was really trying,” said Sweetnam of his mount. “I was so grateful for her today.”
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