Ella O'Neil and Eila Fisk Win Gold at 2025 North American Junior Riders Championships

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2025 North American Youth Championships

Ella O'Neil and Ella Fisk became the individual gold medal winners in the junior division at the 2025 North American Junior Riders Championships at the Flintridge Horse Park in Traverse City, MI, on 29 July - 3 August 2025.

Individual Test Gold for O'Neil

Ella O’Neil (Olathe, Kan.) and her partner Superman, a 2014 Hanoverian gelding (Scolari x Matcho AA x Wummestern), owned by Jonni Allen, delivered a commanding performance to earn gold in the Junior Individual Test. The test showcased their partnership through smooth transitions and beautiful collected work, earning a winning score of 68.324%.

“Winning gold was not at all expected,” said O’Neil. “It was the craziest feeling. ‘Supe’ felt incredible; he was with me the whole time. We have never been at a show this big before, but he was just a total professional out there. He took me through the test, and it was the greatest feeling ever.”

The chestnut gelding Superman was imported from Germany as a young horse and first competed by Emily Miles in 2018. Later that year Averi Allen took over the ride and she competing hum at the 2019 North American Junior Riders Championships and 2021, 2022 and 2023 North American Young Rider Championships. As of this year, O'Neil took place in the saddle.

Individual test silver and kur gold for Eila Fisk

Eila Fisk (Aiken, S.C.) and Quaresma, a 2016 Oldenburg gelding (Quatersprung x Furstenball), owned by Gina Fisk, impressed the judges with their harmony and cadence to take the silver medal on a score of 68.235%.

“This is the biggest championship we’ve ever been to,” said Fisk. “Quaresma is a powerful horse. He’s so willing and always listening to me. I’ve had him for two years and he’s become so reliable in and out of the ring. Today, he was perfect.”

Ainsley Leach (CAN) and the 14-year old Oldenburg bred Frangelico (by Fidertanz x Regazzini) rounded out the podium to claim the bronze with a solid test that scored a 67.294%.

“My focus was just to put down a clean ride,” said Leach. “We had a little trouble in the team test, but today we stayed focused, and he tried his heart out.”

Eila Fisk Grabs Kur Gold

Caatherine Burlew on Hojgaardens Scirocco

In the Kur to Music final on Sunday 3 August, Eila Fisk made her final push for power. After topping the team championship test and earning team gold, she finished with individual test silver on Saturday. In the freestyle she upped the ante and claimed Kur gold. Fisk and Quaresma scored a personal best of 70.980% in the freestyle.

Catherine Burlew of Region 5 rode her 11-year old Danish bred Hojgaardens Scirocco (by Tailormade Temptaion x Akinos) to freestyle silver and having won team bronze with Region 1/5 earlier in the week. She only stayed a fraction behind Fisk with 70.765%, losing points in the collected walk.

Canada's Ainsley Leach picked up her second individual bronze medal, riding Frangelico to 70.665% for a third place.

Six riders in the freestyle scored between 70.16 and 70.98% proving how close they were for a medal.