Thermal, CA – November 3, 2024 – 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.”
Dejong has been partnered with her winning mount, “Bear,” for the past three years and has been carefully bringing along the now 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding alongside trainer Ali Ramsay.
“Bear has been definitely a challenge to develop at some times; he has so much talent but not a lot of direction in it,” said Dejong, who works as a Certified Public Accountant when she is not in the saddle. “I call him a little pony stallion. He’s only about 15.2, but he has a big heart – and he definitely likes to throw a few little pony moves in there! I think every year we’re just getting better and better, and I can’t wait to see how he develops in the future.”
Crystal Nelson and Don Juan Des Isles. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
In the 1.30m/1.35m division, gold medalist Nelson was also competing a horse that she hopes to continue to develop and possibly step up in the future.
“[Don Juan Des Isles] came into my program a little over a year and a half ago,” said Nelson, who operates Crystal Nelson Equestrian in Watsonville, CA. “He was doing the 1.10m with a client of mine, and then the client decided not to ride anymore, so I actually bought him from my client. I played with him a little bit. He clearly has the scope. He’s quick, careful, and clearly he wanted to try his heart out for me. He didn’t touch a rail all three days!”
With “Donnie” finishing on no faults at all, Nelson’s gold-medal win was firmly secured. Finishing in a close second place was Londyn Wright who ended on just one time fault aboard Cloud Seven. Following a jump-off for the bronze, the final podium position went to Grace Belmont and Vendetta de Capellan.
“I loved this experience,” said Nelson, of the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championship format, which provides the rare opportunity for juniors, amateurs and professionals to all compete both against one another and on the same team. “I love the team aspect of it where you’re not just riding for yourself, you’re riding for your team.”
In the team competition, the 1.40m/1.45m gold medal went to the two-person team of Morley and Delong. In the 1.30m/1.35m team championship, Grace Belmont, Londyn Wright and Kristin Hardin took home gold. For all results from the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships, visit deserthorsepark.com/showgroundslive-home.