Wellington, FL – February 27, 2016 – The THIS Children’s Medal 14 and Under, sponsored by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, took place in Ring 8 on Saturday morning. Twenty-seven young riders displayed their best equitation over a first jumping round, with the top four coming back for a second round test.
Natalie Jayne and Cyril Van De Mespel Z. Photo: Sportfot
The THIS Medal often serves as a stepping-stone for young riders hoping to later transition in to the big equitation classes. This week, the exhibitors showed a great deal of promise, as the cut-off for the test was a competitive score of 84. Natalie Jayne was the first of the four riders to return. Entering the ring in fourth place, Jayne had nothing to lose, so she was able to go in and ride her best. An accurate and efficient round propelled the 12-year-old to the top of the class and secured her the win.
Jayne, of Elgin, IL, lives in Florida for the winter season with her family. “We just come down here for the winter because most of our clients come down here,” Jayne explained. Her mother Lynn Jayne runs Our Day Farm and is Natalie Jayne’s primary trainer. When in Florida, however, Jayne is also trained by Patricia Griffith of Heritage Farm.
Jayne piloted her own Cyril Van De Mespel Z to the win this morning. “He’s 16 so he’s a little bit older, but he’s easy to ride,” she said. “He’s usually lazy, but he’s a sweet horse.” Cyril is a Zangersheide gelding that Jayne purchased a few months ago through Heritage Farm.
Jayne was pleased with her win this morning. “I thought the first round was good, but that I needed to help him a bit more to fit in the last stride to the last jump,” she remarked.
Jayne also competes in the Small Junior 15 & Under Hunters, the Children’s Jumpers and many of the Pony Hunter divisions. While she is a student at Elgin Academy in Illinois, she is fully committed to her equestrian pursuits.
As the seventh week of WEF competition concludes on Sunday, the THIS Children’s Medal 15-17 will be featured in Ring 8. International jumper competition concludes in the International Ring featuring the $86,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. For more information and full results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
Lauren Fisher and Callie Seaman for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.