Lexie Kment (Palmyra, Neb.) and Montagny von der Heide took top honours in the individual test at the 2021 North American Junior Riders Championships in Traverse City, MI, on 13 August 2021.
Besting a class of 30 entries, Kment celebrated her second podium finish this week. The duo earned a final score of 68.941 percent from the judging panel to add to their win in yesterday’s Junior Team Test with Region 4.
Kylee Kment (Palmyra, Neb.) and Honor finished in second place with a 68.941 percent, while Kat Fuqua (Atlanta, Ga.) and Dreamgirl P captured third with a 67.912 percent.
The 2021 NAJYRC Competition will conclude for the juniors on Sunday with the FEI Junior Freestyle Test.
Double Gold for Lexie Kment
Kment and Montagny von der Heide, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding by Hibiskus, bred in Germany by Manfred Rüter and owned by Laureen van Norman, have been partnered together for nine months and this is their first competition together at NAYC. Kment narrowly edged the second-place finisher, who is also her sister, by just a percentage point and commended the top three for their strong performances in the individual competition.
“I was super happy with my ride today,” exclaimed Kment. “Going into it I was a lot calmer than yesterday, and I just knew that whatever happened was going to happen, and I was just happy with what I’ve been blessed with.”
Growing with Montagny von der Heide has been exciting for Kment, who has spent time building a strong partnership with the gelding to be competitive at competition opportunities like NAYC and Festival of Champions.
“I did feel a little pressure coming in today, she admitted, “after winning a gold medal yesterday. But honestly, at the end of the day, I just wanted to make it to the Freestyle, but thought to myself that if not, I’ve already won.”
As for competing with and against her sister this weekend, Kment noted that their family bond over horses, dressage, and competition has brought them even closer together and there’s no hard feelings or bad blood when one sister may edge the other sister out in the standings.
“It’s so amazing to hear that anthem playing for me, I don’t even know what to say. It’s amazing. To be here with Kylee, it’s a new dream come true,” said Kment.
Sister Kylee Takes Silver
She commented on the time they’ve spent working together to prepare for NAYC.
“It feels amazing to be up here again,” she said. “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 hear with me too.
We are competitive, but at the same time, whatever happens, it’s amazing how we are so happy for each other either way. She is just so supportive, and we’re sisters at the end of the day and love each other!”
Bronze for Fuqua
“It’s very exciting to be back on the podium,” she explained. “I was thrilled with how the test went, Dreamgirl P is amazing," she said of her 13-year old KWPN mare by Spielberg x Goodtimes x Zirkoon.
“I’ve been pretty lucky that my horses have gone on different days and at different times this week. They definitely complement each other, and it’s been nice because the dressage really helps the jumping, and the jumping helps the dressage.”
Junior competitors will re-present their horses for the Second Horse Inspection tomorrow and will return to the competition ring on Sunday for the FEI Junior Freestyle Test to conclude their week at NAYC."
--- USEF press release, edited by Eurodressage
Related Links
Scores: 2021 North American Youth Championships
Region 4 Takes Team Gold at 2021 North American Junior Riders Championships