The Progressive Show Jumping
  Junior Medal Finals Winners

Who They Are & Where They Are Today
Part Two

Recently PSJ reached out to the previous winners as we thought it would be interesting to share with you who they are and what has transpired in each of their lives since their win.

This article is the second of a series that will be published in the coming months and we hope you enjoy the read.

Rebecca Landrum Burns - 1999 PSJ Medal Winner

”1999 was the best year I had riding,” offers Rebecca Landrum Burns.   “I also won three year-end champions (Hopeful Hunter, Junior Hunter and 15-17 Equitation).”    Rebecca’s best memories of winning were the facts that she had done her best and won against some of the most competitive junior riders.   She rode for several more years after winning the PSJ Medal Finals and then married.

Rebecca has two wonderful sons, Hunter who is six; and Caden who is three.   She enjoys being a stay at home mom and spending time with her family.  Although Rebecca doesn’t ride much any more, she really misses it and hopes that one day she will get back into it!

”Practice and try your hardest. Also enjoy what you are doing!” is Rebecca’s advice to medal finalist hopefuls.  “I would like to let my grandmother (Rosemarie Landrum) know how much she has taught me.  If it was not for her winning would not have been possible.  I’d also like to thank Lee Cone for training me.”

Eleanor Kibler-2004 PSJ Medal Winner

“This PSJ Finals was my last horse show before I had shoulder surgery,” commented Eleanor.  “I knew I wouldn’t be riding for six months, so winning the medal was the perfect way to end my show season for a while.”  

After taking a six month leave from the shoulder surgery, Eleanor got right back into riding and horse showing.  Once she graduated from high school, Eleanor went to college at Sewanee: The University of the South to ride.   She shows on the equestrian team since her freshman year and is doing really well.  

Currently, Eleanor is a senior at Sewanee and acts as one of the equestrian teams’ captains.  She shows in the intermediate over fences and the open flat divisions. 

”Winning the medal finals is such a great achievement, but one should still feel very accomplished to even be a part of the experience,” believes Eleanor.  “After putting forth the hard work for a year to get to that horse show really shows dedication and compassion to the sport.” 

Luci Laffitte – 2006 Medal Winner

“I was really excited to win the finals that year,” commented Luci.  “The previous year, I got food poisoning the night before and had to scratch, which was a huge disappointment.”  Luci loved the fact that the course was challenging - there was a trot jump and then a halt at the end. “My age group was very competitive, and I was riding against some of my best horseshow friends, who were all capable of winning.”  Luci believed it was always fun to see which one of them was going to come out on top. “Thankfully, that year it was me!”

After winning, Luci’s junior equitation career took off.   “I went on to the A circuit where I began competing in the 3’6” medals. The PSJ was a nice stepping-stone to the next phase in my riding career.”

Luci also won the SCHJA Palmetto Medal Finals that year.   She continued showing but concentrated on the A circuit medals. “I qualified for ASPCA Regionals three times and USEF Finals twice. Showing in Jacksonville and Harrisburg against some of the best riders in the country was an experience I will never forget. I was nationally ranked on the Bates Equitation Ranking List.”

Luci attended the University of South Carolina, where she received an academic and athletic scholarship and was a member of their Varsity Equestrian team. “As a freshman, I competed not only for the university but also continued showing to finish out my junior career. I was an SEC Scholar Athlete and named to the President’s List.”

Luci transferred to Wofford during her sophomore year where she is currently a junior.  Luci rides with Holli Adams of Still Creek Farm and still has her horse, Blind Date, with whom she won the finals.  “Fortunately, I also get to ride some of the other horses at the barn as well. I showed two of them in the fall for their owners. Hopefully, I will get to show more this spring if school and other activities do not interfere.”

Luci’s goal is to be invited to compete at the Ariat Adult Medal Finals but is unsure of how probable it is given her schedule.  “My motto is ‘go big or go home.’  Just do it.  Give it all you have.”

Stayed tuned for the next group of riders
who will be featured in July.