Local Equestrian Meg O’Mara, 17, of Rumson won two Gold Medals at the USEF Junior Jumper National Championships held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show earlier this month.
O’Mara, riding Sinatra IV, had one of only two clear rounds on the final night of their individual championship competition and retained their impressive one fault score to secure the gold.
The previous evening, O’Mara lead the Zone 2 team to its gold medal.
The team competition is between different zones in the country. New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania make up Zone 2. The top 4 junior jumpers in the money-won standings for the previous year are chosen to be a member of the Zone team. O’Mara was the highest ranked rider in the zone. Zone 2 won the gold medal last year as well, of which O’Mara was also a member. Last year O’Mara won the bronze medal in the individual championship.
This past Spring O’Mara was chosen to represent the United States on the European Junior and Young Rider Tour.
They competed in 4 countries over 5 weeks. Seven riders from the entire country were selected in total, five Young Riders (18 to 21 yrs. old) and two Junior Riders (under 18).
The Two River area had 2 representatives on the tour. A panel of our top jumper riders, trainers, and coaches; including former and current U.S. Olympians selected the riders. O’Mara was one of two Junior Riders selected and Jesse Springsteen was one of the five Young Riders selected.
