Alfano and Lenkart Take Top Honors in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Central Regional Championships

Katy, Texas.—November 12, 2019—The final USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championship of the year wrapped up for the Central Region at Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, during Harvest on October 31.

It was Scott Lenkart and Captain America (owned by Lori Mathews) who came out on top of the 3'0"/3'3" Championship, and Jen Alfano and Talladega (owned by Sharon O'Neill), won the 3'6"/3'9" Championship.

“It was fun. I don't normally do hunters," Lenkart, of Bartonville, Texas, said. "My wife rides phenomenal in the hunters, and I ride the jumpers, and I took over all the hunters for the day. It was the most hunters I’ve ridden since I can remember."

Lenkart said Captain America is a horse who lives up to his name.

"He’s very simple and straight forward," Lenkart said. "He’s one of the best hunters I’ve had I’m very lucky to ride him."

"It’s a great class. It was a great course. Patrick Rodes always puts on a great show."

Tracey Fenney, former USHJA Green Hunter Incentive National Champion, piloted MTM Farm's MTM Personal Assistant to the Reserve Championship, and Bill McMorris aboard Rio Vista Farms' RVF Titus rounded out the top three.

Earning a one-two finish in the 3’6”/3’9” competition was Jen Alfano, of Ocala, Florida, aboard Talladega, owned by Sharon O'Neill, and her own Page One, respectively.

"I was thrilled," Alfano said about the win on Talladega. "He's been off for a while so it was exciting for him to come back so good, and I was really happy and pleased with him."

Alfano said she's been riding Talladega for two years, but this was his first show back since February due to an injury.

"It was a nice class, they always do such a good job at this horse show," Alfano said. "The jumps were beautiful, and the course was nice. We always love coming here.”

Rounding out the top three for the 3'6"/3'9" Championship was Who Dat, ridden by Sarah Rice and owned by Maura Harrower.

This was the final of five regional championships available to USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program participants.

The USHJA extends a special thank you to Harvest Horse Show for hosting the Championship.

USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program participants can choose from one of five regional championships held across the country. Exhibitors may choose whichever regional championship they want but horses may only compete in one regional championship per year. Each regional championship is two rounds, and the combined total score for both rounds will determine the winner. Prize money is awarded through 12th place, and each championship will offer a minimum of $10,000 in prize money spread across all the sections offered. Horses must be enrolled in the program to be eligible to participate.

Learn more about the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program at ushja.org/GreenIncentive.