Nora Zimmett and Odyssey Emerge Victorious in the Ariat National Adult Medal During WEF VIII

Wellington, Fla. – Mar. 4, 2022 – Another exciting round of equitation competition took place at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) Friday in the Ariat National Adult Medal. The equitation athletes and their respective mounts presented their skills around the track to the judges in a course designed by Ken Krome. At the completion of the class, the top four riders were asked to return for the test phase. Ultimately, it was Nora Zimmett and Sorensen Stables’ Odyssey that claimed the top spot, followed by Danielle Menker and Trumpet in second place and Hannah Hoch and Cassin U rounding out the top three.

Nora Zimmett and Odyssey

In a class of only nine entries, Athletes had to be precise with their movements and have a set plan before entering the ring. The course featured nine jumps, including four oxers in between challenging bending lines. A score of 76 was the one to beat in order to make it to the test phase of the competition in which the riders were asked to canter through jumps five, three, and one, as well as demonstrate the trot through fence two. With Zimmett in the irons, the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding moved effectively and efficiently throughout the track in both phases of the competition, rewarding the duo with a top score of 84 to ultimately claim the win.

Danielle Menker and Trumpet

Following closely behind was Menker and Trumpet. The pair put together an impressive performance, but came up just short of the mark to beat with a score of 80. Hoch and Cassin U rounded out the top three in the competition with a score of 77 through both phases. All three of the top competitors guided their mounts through the course with solid technique and appropriate posture.

Hannah Hoch and Cassin U

Equitation competition will continue at WEFSaturday in Ring 6 with the 15-17 Equation division. The class will feature 24 athletes over fences and on the flat beginning at 10:30am.

FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:

Nora Zimmett – Ariat National Adult Medal winner

On Odyssey:
“He’s amazing. I just started riding him in December, and in between my work schedule and being a mom, I wish I could ride him more. But he is a star.”

On her relationship with Odyssey:
“It’s really rare that you have an automatic feeling about a horse and I [had that feeling] the first time I got on him. It just keeps getting better the more we work together.”

On the course:
“I thought it was great. Sometimes for adult medals they do more of a hunter course, but I thought this was a really great challenge with bending lines [added in the mix].”

On plans for the future with Odyssey:
“Our biggest goal right now with him is indoor adult equitation.”

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