Crystal Nelson and Tali Dejong Get Gold in Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships at National Sunshine Series
The Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships at National Sunshine Series 1 concluded on Sunday, November 3, with the crowning of two new individual champions. In the 1.40m/1.45m Individual Championship, the gold medal went to Tali Dejong on Duke of Doel, and in the 1.30m/1.35m Individual Championship, Crystal Nelson rode Don Juan Des Isles to the win.
The path to the top of the individual podium at the Desert International Horse Park began on Friday with team championship competition. The two-round team championship event also counted as the first two phases of the individual championship, with riders carrying their scores from Friday into Sunday morning’s finale.
Heading into Sunday, Dejong sat in second place in the 1.40m/1.45m on a score of just two time faults. By the end of the third phase, Dejong and Duke of Doel proved to be the only duo to not knock a rail down all weekend, earning them the win.
The fight for the silver medal spot came down to a jump-off between Maddee Morley and Germaine Dougherty, each tied on eight faults. Ultimately, the silver went to Morley aboard Champions Legue, and Dougherty and Kard Trick took home the bronze.
“This experience has been nothing short of amazing,” said Dejong, of Golden, CO. “I am so happy that the USHJA has put on this championship out on the West Coast. I think it’s a wonderful addition. I did it last year, and I’m very happy to have moved up and won it this year.”
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