M. Segal Wins Team, Individual Bronze Jr. Olympics Medals
With the Olympics slated to begin this Friday in London, a young Monticello lady has brought a piece of the Games home with her.
Sixteen-year-old Matilda Segal of Monticello and her horse Guinness X competed as a member of USA’s Area III Eventing Equestrian Team at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships held in Lexington, KY July 17–22.
The years of hard work and effort paid off as Miss Segal stood on the podium to receive both the Team and Individual Bronze medals out of 40 of North America’s best horse and young rider pairs.
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Similar to a triathlon, the Eventing competition encompasses three phases. In the first phase of dressage, Miss Segal and Guinness placed 13th out of 40 starters, in prime position to climb closer to podium placing.
The second phase of cross-country jumping at speed proved faultless for Miss Segal while difficult for others, moving her into the 7th place standing. In the final phase of show jumping, Miss Segal and Guinness had a near perfect round while others experienced problems, moving Miss Segal into the bronze medal position individually and aiding her team in holding a bronze medal placing in the team competition.
Miss Segal said, “This being my first year of riding at the international level, I would have been happy to just complete the competition but to medal both with my team and individually is beyond my wildest hopes and dreams! My horse is an amazing athlete and I give him much of the credit. I also feel such gratitude to my coaches, my parents, and my community for supporting me!”
Local sponsorship dollars were donated by Judy Yielding of State Farm Insurance, Bank of Monticello and Covington Ford. Not only did this help Miss Segal to meet her fund raising goal, monies donated go to grow the Jr. Olympic program to groom future athletes for our U.S. Olympic team. Six of the equestrian Olympians going to London this year came through the Young Rider program.
