Lisbon, Portugal – The U.S. Show Jumping Development Team, led by Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski, finished ninth in the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Lisbon CSIO3* in Lisbon, Portugal, having gained valuable experience.
Zazou Hoffman (Santa Monica, Calif.) jumped a clean round as the anchor rider for the team on Samson II, Woodacres Stables LLC’s 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, and placed third in the class individually. “Zazou was here last year on the Development Team, and she jumped a beautiful clear, which was very exciting,” said Kursinski.
Michael Murphy (Apopka, Fla.) was the first U.S. rider on course as the ninth to go in the class and finished his round on Elizabeth Kilham’s 10-year-old KWPN gelding Magic Mike with 12 faults. Taylor Alexander (Castle Rock, Colo.) jumped next on Alexander LLC’s 14-year-old Selle Francais stallion Ryanair De Riverland with 13 faults. The third U.S. rider, Connor Husain (The Plains, Va.), guided Morningside Training Farm’s MTF Saint Simeon, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, to a score of 12 faults.
“I was very proud of them,” said Kursinski. “There’s just nothing quite like the whole experience of jumping in a Nations Cup, and they all handled it just fine. The Development Team is so important. They learn something every day on these trips. The experiences they have are ones they just can’t get jumping in regular classes and grand prixs at home in the States.”
After round one, Portugal and Spain were tied for the lead with zero faults, while Ireland and Great Britain each had four faults.
Portugal took the gold medal with zero faults over Spain with four faults, while Ireland earned bronze with eight faults.
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