Babun and Her Soulmate Notch “Amazing” Win

In the $10,000 North American League (NAL) 1.15m Junior Jumper Final, it was a race to the very last of 15 rides in the jump-off. Turning in the final performance were Katherine Babun and Amazing Z, who were able to top everyone with a second clear round in a time of 33.116 seconds. Second place went to Georgina Jewell on her own Conny 424, who were clear in 34.497 seconds. With a time of 34.623 seconds, Emi Richard rode Canturino for Oceans Edge Farm to third place.

Heading into the arena, Babun knew she had to give a strong ride after yesterday’s welcome when she “didn’t have the best round.” Despite some nerves, Babun accomplished her goal with Amazing Z, who was in her first competition in an indoor arena.

Amazing Z helped Katherine Babun win their first time indoors together. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

“My plan for the jump-off was just to go fast and not to second guess myself because she’s so game and I trust her,” she said of her second ride. “Since everybody was having such fast times, it was just not slow down and ride off my gallop. She's better that way, and I think that everything just came off the gallop, and I think it worked out.”

“She's literally the most amazing horse I've ever ridden,” said Babun of the seven-year-old Zangersheide mare by Aganix du Seigneur x Quick Star. “She’s so cool. She's my soulmate, and I ride her better than my other horses.”

“I'm so happy to win here because it is her first final,” said the 14-year-old from Miami, FL. “To come off of yesterday and come out with such a great round today means so much to me.”

For her win, Babun was named Best 1.10m/1.15m Junior Jumper Rider Award sponsored by Memorial Park Hunters.

The NAL offers year-long series in six divisions – Adult Hunter Presented by R & R Hunter Horses, Children’s Hunter Presented by Charles Ancona, 1.10/1.15m Amateur Jumper Presented by SmartEquine, 1.10/1.15m Junior Jumper, 1.20/1.25m Junior/Amateur Jumper and 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper Presented by Parlanti. The NAL qualifying season runs from September 1 through August 31. NAL qualifying classes are open to all competitors, but only current members are awarded points.