Gulliver Prep junior Lily Epstein helped the United States win a bronze medal in show jumping at the 2025 FEI Youth Nations Cup Final in Lier, Belgium, in September 2025. The Coral Gables rider had previously won team gold at the North American Youth Championships (NAYC) in Traverse City, Michigan, on Aug. 1, 2025.

A profile published by Gulliver Prep on Monday, Oct. 12, highlighted how Epstein balances international competition with a demanding International Baccalaureate course load at the school, where she has been a student since kindergarten.

Epstein helps Zone 4 win North American championship

At the NAYC, Epstein and her horse Zjechov, an Irish Sport Horse gelding she owns, completed two clear rounds on the final day to help Zone 4 secure the junior team title, according to US Equestrian.

Her teammates were Sophia Ayers of Reddick, Gabriella Curry of Fort Lauderdale and JJ Torano of Wellington. Chef d'Equipe Kim Land led the squad.

Epstein jumped clean in both rounds, contributing to the team's gold-medal finish.

"Once my horse is in the ring, he's very locked in, so that helped us to stay focused," Epstein told US Equestrian after the competition.

U.S. junior team takes bronze in Belgium

Epstein was subsequently selected for the U.S. Junior Jumping Team at the FEI Youth Jumping Nations Cup Final in Lier, Belgium.

The junior competition featured fences measuring up to 1.40 meters, or approximately 4 feet, 7 inches. The U.S. Junior Team earned bronze with a combined score of four faults, according to a USET Foundation newsletter.

Chef d'Equipe Anne Kursinski and Team Leader Erin Keating guided the U.S. junior and young rider squads during the international competition.

Balancing international competition with academics

Away from competition, Epstein trains four to five days a week and travels frequently during the school year for equestrian events.

She told Gulliver Prep that the school has accommodated her demanding schedule, including extended absences for competitions.

Epstein, a member of the Class of 2027, also serves as arts and leisure editor in Gulliver's Advanced Multimedia News Production program and participates in the Jewish Student Union.

Her interest in riding began at age 3 during a camp in Park City, Utah. Gulliver's profile also identifies a horse named Anton in her equestrian journey, while US Equestrian records confirm that she competed aboard Zjechov at the 2025 North American Youth Championships.

Now competing internationally while completing her high school coursework, Epstein continues to balance the demands of elite equestrian competition with her academic and extracurricular commitments.