Lexington, KY – August 10, 2024 – The 2024 USEF Pony Jumper National Championship came down to a three-way jump-off for medals during the final individual round on Saturday afternoon in the Claiborne Ring.
Piper Kulkin (Montecito, Calif) and Fritella Della Monica, her own 2012 Irish Sport Horse mare, entered the individual final as the only combination carrying zero faults. A single rail put them in a three-way tie for the top spot with Elina Liebert (Elizabeth, Colo.) and Diarado Des Cibaudes (Ulmar Mail x Gipsy D’Audes), her own 2013 French Saddle Pony gelding, and Kinser Vale (Williston, Fla.) with Kimberly Brunson’s 2013 gelding Praise On. In the jump-off, Kulkin turned in the only clear round to secure the gold medal and the USEF Pony Jumper National Championship Title.
Piper Kulkin Strikes and Fritella Della Monica
Coming in with the top standing meant Kulkin was the last to go, which gave her a chance to assess the course in action and adapt her plan accordingly.
“After the US Equestrian vertical, we were going to go inside, but chose to go around instead because the one stride was where mistakes were coming,” Kulkin said about the jump-off round. “We still had a mistake, but it was probably better than if we went inside.”
The flipside of going last and getting the added intel from the rounds ahead is the pressure that comes with having the top score, but Kulkin credits her pony with helping her through that.
“I was really nervous,” she said. “I think that’s probably why I had a mistake in the first round. But my horse is amazing and she got me there. She was great.”
Kulkin has had “Tella” since last November and typically shows her in the 1.0 meter classes at home on the West Coast.
“[Our partnership] started off right from the beginning and it was great from day one,” said Kulkin. “This is where we wanted to be. We made it. She’s the best horse ever. She’s so scrappy.”
Elina Liebert & Diarado Des Cibaudes
Elina Liebert and Diarado Des Cibaudes finished with the silver medal in the USEF Pony Jumper National Championship, and Kinser Vale and Praise on clinched bronze.
Kinser Vale & Praise On
The 2024 USEF Pony Finals, presented by , will conclude Sunday at 7 am in the Rolex Ring with the highly anticipated USEF Pony Medal Final.