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Team USA claims 2018 Youth World Games championship

The red, white and blue waved proudly as Team USA celebrated their victory in the 2018 Youth World Games, which concluded July 3 in Fort Worth, Texas. The team of five horsewomen—Sabine Lazo, Kellianne Lunny, Gianna Pozzi, Sarah Beth Felker and Livia Hillenburg—bested six other teams hailing from around the globe to claim the top prize.

“[The girls on the team] were really good. They were a little cold—nervous—at first, but after the first class they warmed right up and had great goes each time out,” Team USA Coach Pat Trebesch said. “It always feels good to win, but what’s most fun about the Youth World Games is getting to meet all the other countries; we had a great time with everyone involved.”

Held biennially, the collegiate equestrian-style Youth World Games draws competitors from around the globe; exhibitors compete aboard randomly drawn horses in Western horsemanship, hunt-seat equitation, trail, showmanship and ranch riding.

“The level of competition and sportsmanship continues to increase with each Youth World Games, and this year’s event was especially exciting to watch,” Director of Youth Activities and APHA Events Christine Gillett said. “Outside of the arena, it’s amazing to watch our Youth from so many different backgrounds and countries come together and forge lifelong connections over their shared love of Paints.”

Top Three Teams

  1. United States
  2. Team United
  3. Canada

Top Three Class Winners

Showmanship

  1. Davide De Monte, Team United
  2. Victor Kvarnstrom, Sweden
  3. Courtney Smallwood-Maryborough, Australia

Trail

  1. Sabine Lazo, United States
  2. Brooklyn Moch, Canada
  3. Leonie Schnell, Germany

Hunt-Seat Equitation

  1. Gianna Pozzi, United States
  2. Matilda Kallstrom, Sweden
  3. Tiphaine Le Bray, Team United

Ranch Riding

  1. Anna Joleen Middelberg, Germany
  2. Laura Semesova, Team United
  3. Brooklyn Moch, Canada

Horsemanship

  1. Siri Marie Rasmussen, Denmark
  2. Kellianne Lunny, United States
  3. Carolin Rauch, Germany

 

Watch for the September/October 2018 issue of the Paint Horse Journal for complete coverage of the Youth World Games. Purchase, renew or extend a subscription today.

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 [Reprinting all of part of this story is permitted, so long as credit is given to the Paint Horse Journal and a link provide back to apha.com.]

 

About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses.

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