Mill Spring, North Carolina, USA – October 17, 2024 – Major League Show Jumping’s (MLSJ) 14-day trade window closed earlier this week, and teams have finalized their rosters for the second half of the season, which commenced today at Tryon International. After a mid-way stop at CSI Greenwich, MLSJ teams used two weeks to recruit new talent and stack their rosters for the remaining events of the 2024 season.
The current leaders in the season standings – Roadrunners – kept their winning formula largely intact but made two adjustments to their roster. They called up world no. 10 Richard Vogel (GER) and Ireland’s Richard Howley to their MLSJ debuts while releasing Daniel Coyle and Samuel Hutton.
“We are thrilled with the momentum that The League has gained as it enters the second half of its fourth season,” said MLSJ co-founder Keean White. “The rosters now include eight of the top 20 riders in the world, and we look forward to top competition in North Carolina, Mexico and California as the season schedule progresses over the next several months.”
Currently sitting second in the standings after taking the 2023 championship title, the Trelawny Trailblazers pulled talent from MLSJ veteran Natalie Dean (USA). The remainder of their lineup remained unchanged with Daniel Bluman, Charlotte Jacobs, Lillie Keenan, Darragh Kenny and Conor Swail retaining their positions on the stacked roster.
The Northern Lights are within striking distance of the 2024 title and has revamped their formerly Canadian- powered team with new faces. CSI Greenwich grand prix winner Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) replaced Antonia Häggström, Ali Ramsay was released for Belgium’s Verlooy and Eve Jobs (USA) took the spot of Nicole Walker. Canadians Sean Jobin, Elizabeth Bates and Vanessa Mannix will continue to anchor the team.
Maccabi United is a new franchise to MLSJ and currently sits fourth in the season standings. Mark Bluman (COL), Vanessa Hood (USA), Luis Larrazabal (VEN) and Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam will attack the second half of the season as Australian Olympian Thaisa Erwin replaces Bruno Diniz.
Helios initiated two transfers but made them count with the acquisition of 2024 U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Laura Kraut and young phenom Max Wachman (IRL). Team manager Andrew Bourns remains on the roster alongside fellow Irishman David O’Brien, Rupert Winkelmann (GER) and Skylar Wireman (USA). He released Margie Engle and Abdel Saïd.
The Archers, another new team to The League, made big moves during the trade window by calling on the talent of world no. 17 Harry Charles (GBR) and world no. 19 Nicola Philippaerts (BEL). Additionally, Patricio Pasquel (MEX) returns to an MLSJ team with U.S. athletes Quentin Judge and Aaron Vale—ranked within the world’s top 50—making their debuts as Archers.
Team KPF has substantial ground to cover in the standings but will make a bid with former Olympic champion Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and Sameh El Dahan (GBR). They released Darragh Kerins, Johnny Pals and Alison Robitaille while retaining U.S. Olympian Kent Farrington, Canada’s Tiffany Foster and Ashley Vogel (USA).
Finally, Eye Candy sits last in the season standings with hopes to make big moves during the next two months. Their roster kept Bliss Heers (USA), Amy Millar (CAN), Gabriela Reutter (CHI) and Roberto Teran (COL). They released Nicolette Hirt and Paul O’Shea for Ireland’s Lorcan Gallagher and Anastasia Neilsen (MON).
The second half of the season kicks off this week at Tryon International before continuing to Club Hípico La Silla in Monterrey in November. Culminating in California, year-end titles and bonus money will be presented at the MLSJ
Final taking place at the Desert International Horse Park in Palm Springs, CA, in December.
View complete team rosters HERE. Unlimited rider trades and acquisitions were permitted during the transfer window, as long as each team retains two riders in the top 250 on the FEI World Rankings.
Source: Press Release from MLSJ – Major League Show Jumping
Photo: © MLSJ – Major League Show Jumping
