"I just can't believe it. Two years ago I got my first ribbon here and it meant the world to me," said O'Mara. "I am in shock right now. I never expected this to happen. My goal was just to be in the test, I would have been happy with a top four ribbon. I just can't believe it right now."
Annabel Revers of Weston, MA, jumped from 13th place after the first round to the runner-up spot and McKayla Langmeier, East Granby, CT, was third.
Following a preliminary round of 276 riders, the top 25 were called back for the second round, which was whittled down to an additional test for the top four. Revers placed fourth, Taylor St. Jacques was called back third, O'Mara was second and McKayla Langmeier of East Granby, CT, was the rider to beat.
The final test required riders to complete a course of six jumps including a roll back from the second fence, counter canters at the third and fourth fences and a hand gallop to the final fence. The counter canters proved to be the deciding factor. Riding in reverse order of merit, Revers was the pathfinder and chose to do a simple change for the counter canter.
"I was hoping to land both leads on the counter canter, but that didn't work out for the first one so I had to do a simple change, which was fine," said Revers. "This was a really exciting day for me because coming here I was definitely not expecting to be second. I've never even gotten a ribbon at a major equitation final. Today was really my day."