Virginia B. ’22 Earns International Gold as Member of U.S. Junior Jumping Team
Senior Virginia B. represented the United States last week in the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Youth Final in Kronenberg, Netherlands, as part of the prestigious U.S. Junior Jumping Team. Offering her own stellar individual performance, Virginia and her teammates Ansgar H., Jr. (Wellington, FL), Caroline M. (Woodside, CA), and Zayna R. (Wellington, FL) earned top honors to bring home team gold from the event!
We were able to catch up with Virginia after the competition to find out a bit more about the event and her experience.
Have you competed in other Nations Cups? Are there more to come for the season?
I have! In pre-pandemic 2020, I competed and won gold in the Junior Nations Cup at Palm Beach Masters. Unfortunately, there are not more to come this season. Last week was the final and most important Nations Cup of the season, and it had 12 of the top countries/teams across the world.
How did you qualify for last week’s event?
Though two team members qualified through winning individual medals at the North American Youth Championships, I was chosen for my overall consistency. This was the first time that the U.S. decided to send junior and young rider teams, so it was an honor to be chosen for the juniors.
Your father also shared that you were "the one rider on her team to not have a single rail." Can you explain what that means?
The Nations Cup Youth Final has a very interesting format that I haven't experienced before. On Wednesday, we competed over one 1.40m round. I was one of two members of the team with a clear round, and we managed to finish 3rd going into Saturday. Before Saturday, the scores were all wiped, so the top six teams were able to compete on equal footing. Across both days, I was the only team member to be double clear, although all members put in some really great rounds. Finishing on a score of four, we were just able to edge out Spain who ended on five faults.
What was the best part or your favorite thing about participating in the 2021 FEI Jumping Nations Cup Youth Final?
With some of the wisest voices in U.S. show jumping present such as Anne Kursinski and Dr. Geoff Vernon, there was just so much to learn at Peelbergen [Equestrian Center]. It was also fascinating to be able to watch other countries and their training methods. I believe that I was able to leave the show as a wiser and more experienced rider and horsewoman.
Have you competed in other Nations Cups? Are there more to come for the season?
I have! In pre-pandemic 2020, I competed and won gold in the Junior Nations Cup at Palm Beach Masters. Unfortunately, there are not more to come this season. Last week was the final and most important Nations Cup of the season, and it had 12 of the top countries/teams across the world.
How did you qualify for last week’s event?
Though two team members qualified through winning individual medals at the North American Youth Championships, I was chosen for my overall consistency. This was the first time that the U.S. decided to send junior and young rider teams, so it was an honor to be chosen for the juniors.
Your father also shared that you were "the one rider on her team to not have a single rail." Can you explain what that means?
The Nations Cup Youth Final has a very interesting format that I haven't experienced before. On Wednesday, we competed over one 1.40m round. I was one of two members of the team with a clear round, and we managed to finish 3rd going into Saturday. Before Saturday, the scores were all wiped, so the top six teams were able to compete on equal footing. Across both days, I was the only team member to be double clear, although all members put in some really great rounds. Finishing on a score of four, we were just able to edge out Spain who ended on five faults.
What was the best part or your favorite thing about participating in the 2021 FEI Jumping Nations Cup Youth Final?
With some of the wisest voices in U.S. show jumping present such as Anne Kursinski and Dr. Geoff Vernon, there was just so much to learn at Peelbergen [Equestrian Center]. It was also fascinating to be able to watch other countries and their training methods. I believe that I was able to leave the show as a wiser and more experienced rider and horsewoman.
While at the competition, and illustrating Foxcroft’s promise of “a lifetime of friendships and global connections,” Virginia ran into former classmate Johanna B., who was riding for the German team.
Congratulations, Virginia! We can’t wait to see what you do next!
*Photos provided by Virginia's father Shelby Bonnie.
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.
