Top Junior and Young Rider Show Jumpers Set to Face Off at 2015 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West

September 17, 2015–A field of 20 rising show jumping stars will gather in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., for the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West taking place September 18-19. The event is part of this week’s Blenheim International Jumping Festival at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. Twelve competitors return from the 2014 Finals West competition. All riders are coming off spectacular performances in USEF Show Jumping Talent Search qualifiers in order to earn their places at the 2015 Finals West.

Mitchell Endicott and Avion during the 2014 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West | Photo Copyright McCool

Debbie Stephens and Alex Jayne will serve as judges and course designers for the four-phase competition, which has a rich history of preparing young talent for the rigors of international show jumping competition. Past competitors in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals include numerous Olympic, Pan American, and FEI World Equestrian Games medalists.

On Friday, the field will face off in Phase I and Phase II. During Phase I, competitors will need to demonstrate their ability to effectively prepare a horse on the flat and then apply these skills to an intensive gymnastic course in Phase II. On Saturday, all entries will compete over a jumper-style course in Phase III. Finally, Phase IV will showcase the same format used for the Jumping World Championships, with the top four riders following the previous phases completing a jumper course on his/her own horse, as well as the three other riders’ horses.

For more information about the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West, including competition resources and results, visit USEFconnect.com.

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