Christian Simonson Makes it Triple Gold at 2021 North American Young Riders Championships

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2021 North American Youth Championships

Christian Simonson and Zeaball Diawind shattered the NAYC record for the highest score in the Young Rider Freestyle Test at the 2021 North American Young riders Championships, receiving a 78.935 percent from the judging panel to secure the pair’s third gold-medal performance of the week.

The 2021 North American Youth Championships came to a conclusion in Traverse City, MI, on Sunday 15 August. In the absence of any Canadian riders, this year's edition of the NAYC was a strictly American affair.

Simonson travelled to Traverse City as the clear favourite for the gold medals and lived up to the expectations. Already selected as just one of three Americans to compete in Europe this spring, Simonson held on to great form and claimed triple gold.

Allison Nemeth (Flemington, N.J.) and Tiko earned a 73.330 percent for second place, while Tillie Jones (Lincoln, Neb.) and Qi Gong TF secured the bronze medal with a 73.170 percent.

Triple Gold

Simonson (Ventura, Calif.) and Zeaball Diawind, a nine-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (by Furstenball x Zardin Firfod) owned by Christina Morgan have impressed all week in Traverse City, helping Region 7 take the team gold on Friday and securing their first individual gold medal yesterday in the Young Rider Individual Test. The pair have worked to solidify their relationship over the past several years and Simonson has brought “Zeaball” through the ranks with the help of trainer Adrienne Lyle.

“I am surprised and really grateful. Adrienne had to leave last night, and so today we just warmed up virtually,” said Simonson, explaining his preparation for the class. “Coming off two back-to-back days, he was tired today and I was hoping that he would dig deep, and he surpassed my expectations. He makes me so grateful to be able to ride him. This is our third freestyle ever together, and so to have him hold that much composure and perform that way after such a long crazy week makes me so thankful.”

Having been to NAYC before, but not completing the weekend, Simonson reflected on the work it’s taken to get back to this competition and the development of the partnership with Zeaball that would get them the closest to the 80 percent mark of anyone at NAYC and record a personal best for the pair.

“It’s been a crazy week, and I’m super grateful for Zeaball and the team. He dug so deep and I’m so proud. He was a really good boy,” said Simonson.

Nemeth Climbs to Silver

Nemeth and Tiko, a ten-year-old Danish Warmblood mare (by Temptation x Akinos) owned by Karen Nameth secured second place with a strong ride to their musical freestyle and recorded a personal best at FEI level. The duo was very competitive at NAYC, placing fifth in the team test and eighth in the Individual test before climbing to silver in the freestyle. With Tiko just beginning to hit her prime, Nemeth plans to continue to move the mare up the levels over the next few years.

“Today she felt really good,” commented Nemeth. “We’ve had some problems in the past maintaining our composure and not spooking, and we’ve had some issues with tension, but she just felt so relaxed and confident in there today and I am speechless. This week as a whole, it’s been a blur, but it’s been so great. I’m fortunate to have such supportive teammates. I’m so speechless, I did not imagine being here right now.”

Second Bronze for Jones

Tillie Jones and Qi Gong TF, a 12-year-old Hanoverian mare (by Quaterback x Rubinstein) owned by Tillie & Tish Jones, rounded out the podium in the Young Rider division in the freestyle. This is the pair’s FEI debut and Jones was pleased with their performances throughout the week as they look to continue improving at the FEI levels.

“It felt so good out in the arena, and from what I can remember she felt amazing! She is such a great mare. She is so confident in herself and I’m so confident in her. I’m just so lucky to have a special mare like her that can go even farther than what I’m riding her at right now,” said Jones. “That just feels really special, and I think there is more in there. I’m so happy with how she did today and how much she gave in out there after a really long week.

Qi Gong TF was Jones' third horse to campaign at the North American Youth Championships. In 2015 she competed Boegelys Mauricio (by Michellino x Charmeur) as a junior rider, in 2017 and 2018 she partnered with Apachi (by Future x Jazz), and as of 2020 she has been competing Qi Gong TF.

--- USEF press release, edited by Eurodressage