2025 FEI Endurance World Championship: U.S. Juniors and Young Riders Team Finishes Seventh Overall

The U.S. Endurance Team showcased strong performances as four horse-and-rider pairs successfully completed the grueling 120km course, securing a seventh-place finish overall at the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders. The event took place at the Shagya Sports Club Association in Buftea, Romania.

Supported by Interim Chef d’Equipe Heather Reynolds, Team Veterinarian Dr. Olivia Rudolphi, Team Leader Nicole Zerbee, and dedicated crew members, the team worked seamlessly throughout the demanding competition.

“The championship went smoothly for us this year,” said Heather Reynolds. “Our athletes and their horses were well prepared and functioned beautifully as a team. I’m incredibly proud of their performances, especially having a full team finish with at least three combinations completing the race.”

Leading the American contingent was AnnaMaria Clarke from Davis, West Virginia, riding Southern Justice, affectionately known as “Roo.” The 2012 Arabian gelding (PA Gazsi x PA Ecolina), owned by Valerie Kanavy and Dessia Miller, finished 23rd individually among a highly competitive international field. Clarke and Roo completed the course in 6 hours, 43 minutes, and 57 seconds.

“I’m beyond proud of Roo,” Clarke said. “He gave me 110%, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner or outcome at the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders.”

The challenging course consisted of five loops ranging from 20.5 km to 31 km (totaling 75 miles), spanning varied terrain including grasslands, fields, agricultural roads, and forest paths in the scenic suburban village of Buftea, near Romania’s capital Bucharest. After each loop, horses underwent veterinary inspections focusing on heart rate and gait to ensure their fitness before continuing.

Other U.S. finishers included Vanessa Erickson (Rocklin, Calif.) on Leno, a 2016 Arabian gelding (Dahess x Ta Dance WithTheStar) owned by Samantha Ellis, who placed 40th; Jax Beloberk (Loomis, Calif.) with Highh Treason, a 2011 Arabian gelding (Tomanchie x Ecstatika) owned by Katie Beloberk, finishing 41st; and Lila Reeder (Loomis, Calif.) on Cricket MHF, a 2017 Arabian gelding (Jolly By Golly x Awesome Zell MHF) owned by Bethany Reeder, who placed 42nd individually.