The four gentlemen representing the Mexico North junior team in the USHJA North American Junior & Young Rider Show Jumping Championships finished with a total of 16 faults in the Nations' Cup formatted class to earn victory, as Carlos Hank Guerrerio (16, Mexico City, MEX) aboard Santos, Antonio Abascal Secchi (15, Veracruz, MEX) with Continio 4, Cristobol Collado (18, Mexico City, MEX) and Corin, alongside Yago Alvarez Del Castillo (16, Guadalajara, MEX) with Coloredo 2, stood atop the medal podium overlooking the International Ring, beaming with joy. The Mexico North Chef d'Equipe Maurcio Guerra accompanied the team as they made their way to the podium.

The Zone 10 Team, under the watchful eye of Chef d'Equipe Morley Abey, featured Hunter Siebel (17, Woodside, CA) and AD Vangelys, Dalan Laughlin (17, Carmel, CA) with Babiole, Sarah Baz (17, Los Gatos, CA) aboard Abadan, and Sydney Hutchins (18, Westlake Village, CA) with Zorlando, who secured the silver medal totaling 28 faults. The Zone 2/9 Team of Megan Hilton (18, Seattle, WA) and Washington, Lilly Higgins (18, Summit, NJ) with Zinnia, Lucy Matz (18, Coatesville, PA) and Bailey VI, led by dual Chef d'Equipes Cara Anthony and Ralph Caristo, captured the bronze medal and finished with 32 total faults. 

While the age and experience level of each team member is varied on the Mexico North junior team, the group united together to achieve a common goal, as they were determined to reach the medal podium once again. The Mexico North junior team secured the bronze medal in team competition at the 2015 Adequan®/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North at The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

"I know that when I walked the course it wasn't going to be easy," said Abascal Secchi. "I wanted to go clean, and unfortunately I didn't, but I think our expectations were the same as the result. We always wanted to win and we did."

The course added elements of technicality that tested each rider's ability to navigate a large track built with multiple combinations and a series of airy square oxers, as well as an open water obstacle.

"I was a little bit nervous, but I expected to complete two clear rounds. We had a technical problem in the second round, but we had a good result as a team. I'm so happy to be here," added Yago Alvarez Del Castillo, who encountered an equipment malfunction, as a rein snapped in the second round, forcing him to retire early aboard Coloredo 2.

While no teams in the junior team phase of competition finished without faults, the Mexico North junior team secured a class best result of 16 total faults. The strong riding of Carlos Hank Guerrerio and Santos helped propel the team to the podium. The duo completed two clear rounds in team format after collecting a win in the Junior Individual First Round Qualifier yesterday afternoon.

"It's always really important to finish well here. I was on the team that earned bronze here last year and we were looking to improve on that," commented Guerrerio. "Also, Mexico hasn't won a gold medal in a couple of years so I was pleased with the result today."

"I'm really happy to have my teammates here and we all did a good job to win this gold medal," said Collado, the oldest member of the team. "This was a great experience and we're proud to be here."

Source: Press release from The Colorado Horse Park // Picture © Sportfot