Buzzelli Makes
History
with Triple
Regional Title
T
he NextGen MotoTrials Youth
and Women's Western Re-
gional Championship, presented
by Trials Progression, brought
three days of high-level com
-
petition to the scenic slopes of
Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort,
August 9-10. Hosted by the New
Mexico Trials Association, the
event featured about 40 riders
each day, with classes ranging
from Strider to 15 Under Expert
Sportsman for youth, and Begin
-
ner through Sportswoman for
women.
Under sunny skies and warm
summer temperatures, riders
tackled dry, powdery terrain
peppered with pine needles and
grippy rocks. Most sections
wound up and across ski slopes,
with one creek section per day
providing a stark change in trac
-
tion and a favorite challenge for
both riders and spectators.
In the 15 Under Expert Sports-
man class, Beta USA's Bennett
Hubner was untouchable, sweep-
ing all three days with scores of
27, 16 and 12. Thomas Keady
secured second on Friday and
Saturday, then narrowly beat
Bradyn Miller on Sunday via a
tiebreak on cleans. On Sunday,
Miller, along with Gauge O'Neil,
made an impressive step up
from 13 Under Sportsman to the
premier class, with Miller earning
a Sunday podium.
Beta USA's Abigail Buzzelli
dominated the Sportswoman
class, riding to victory all three
days with scores of 2-5-22. Her
weekend sweep also made his
-
tory: Buzzelli became the first
rider and the first woman to win
all three regional championship
trophies—Eastern's Eagle, the
Central's Stag, and the Western's
Ram—in the same year.
In Clubwoman, Tiffany Bucher
delivered a masterclass, winning
each day and halving the nearest
competitor's score on Friday in a
strong field of eight riders.
Ram trophies were presented
to the overall winners in both
premier classes, concluding a
memorable weekend in New
Mexico's high country. It was a
fitting finale to a landmark year
for NextGen MotoTrials.
Stephanie Vetterly
VOLUME ISSUE AUGUST , P51
Beta USA's Abigail
Buzzelli dominated
the Sportswoman
class in the NextGen
MotoTrials Youth
and Women's
Western Regional
Championship in
New Mexico.
PHOTOS:
STEPHANIE VETTERLY
Beta USA's Bennett Hubner was
untouchable in the 15 Under
Expert Sportsman class.
