Berger Bags Gold Twice at NAYC
- Catie Staszak
- Aug 4, 2025
- 3 min read
It's been a steady climb for Alicia Berger (USA) at the North American Youth Championships. In her fourth appearance at the event, she earned a long-awaited individual gold medal. Then she did it again.
Berger, representing Region 3 with the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding Aqua Marin, was the individual champion in both the U25 Grand Prix and U25 Grand Prix Freestyle.
"To have a horse that gives so much every day is truly amazing," Berger said, "and to get to ride that feeling—I feel like the luckiest girl in the world on him. It feels like flying."
In the U25 Grand Prix (16-25), Sophia Schults (USA Region3) finished second aboard Conocido HGF, with Region 7's Haley Smith third aboard Great Lady TC. In the Freestyle, Brooke Mancusi (CAN) took second honors with Dejohn Ymas, while Ella Fruchterman (USA Region 4) was third aboard Hannah Montana W.
"Being on the podium with Alicia for the first time together as individuals was super special," Fruchterman said of Berger, a close friend. "We've been on this journey together for five years, so to finally have our moment up there together was really special."
Ready for the Occasion
The Children's category made its debut in dressage at NAYC this year, and Grace Christianson (USA Region 2) showed off her preparation, riding to two gold medals. Christianson recorded a personal best with FF Roulee in the Children's Individual Final, receiving an 81.116%—the highest mark of the championship, across all categories.
"We worked really hard to get to this point. It's taken a lot of sweat and tears, but it just feels like such an honor to be here and show at a competition like this."
Grace Christianson
(USA)
"It feels surreal to be the first gold medalist [in this category]," she added.
Region 2 also claimed gold in the team competition. Christianson anchored the three rider squad and shared the top place on the podium with Vee Dravilas (Rococo) and Madelynn Williams (FHF Cahlua).
Individually, Gianna Foley (USA Region 3/8/9) was second with Happy Khan; Maverick Wright (USA) was third with Maple Lane Kero.
Family Ties
In her first year competing in the Young Rider division, Lexie Kment (USA Region 4) earned individual gold with her longtime partner, Gatino van Hof Olympia; the pair received a winning score of 68.970%. Anna Swackhammer (CAN) finished second with Fabienna GV on a score of 68.206%, followed by Olivia Martz (USA Region 6) with Rihanna Ymas (68.000%).
“This week is probably one of the most special of the entire year for me,” Kment shared. “To compete on this international stage, surrounded by the people and horses I love is just so incredible."
USA Region 4 topped the team competition, making Kment a double-gold medalist. Her winning teammates were Averi Allen (Silhouette) and Ella Fruchterman (Holts Le'Mans). Angela Jackson served as the team's chef d'equipe. Kment was also coached by her mother, Jami.
"I’ve grown up with Gatino. We’ve known each other for nearly nine years, and to win together with my mom as part of our team is so meaningful," Kment said.
Down to the Wire
The battle for Junior individual gold couldn't have been much closer, with the top two positions on the podium separated by less than a tenth of a percentage point. Ella O'Neil (USA Region 4) secured the victory aboard the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding Superman, receiving a winning a score of 68.324%. Eila Fisk (USA Region 3) finished second with Quaresma (68.235%), followed by Ainsley Lynch (CAN) and Frangelico (67.294%).
Fisk got her gold in the team competition, leading Region 3 to the top of the podium. She shared the win with teammates Lark Heckman (Franzissimo), Lauren Polk (Donauwelle P), and Alexis Troutman (Mondo 'L').
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