Amateur Owner and Junior Hunters Crowned at 2024 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships

Las Vegas, Nev.—Nov. 17, 2024—Amateur Owner and Junior Hunters took center stage on the fifth day of the 2024 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships. Four new champions were crowned, including two Grand Hunter titles, at the competition held alongside The Las Vegas National. The Championships, hosted at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa’s equestrian center, will conclude on November 17 with the presentation of the final tricolors.

USHJA Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3"/3'6" Championship

The USHJA Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3''/3’6'' Championship saw a fiercely contested division, resulting in a California Split. In Section A, Abigail Steller of San Francisco, California, and Summerhouse Farm LLS’s Mercurius II S excelled at the 3’3” height, earning first in the Under Saddle. Their achievements secured them the Soon To Be Grand Amateur Owner 3'3" Champion Perpetual Trophy, sponsored by the Smith Family, and the prestigious Grand Champion Amateur Owner Hunter title.

"He really jumped his heart out for me, especially at the single oxer in the second round. I thought he really just fired at the base and it was fun. I enjoyed it. He always makes it fun for me," said Steller of her mount. "I think the cherry on top for me was the win in the hack."

Karin Binz of Lomita, California, riding her own Vatikan, claimed the reserve champion title in Section A. With standout performances at 3’3”, including first-place finishes in the Over Fences and Stake classes, Binz was also recognized as the High Score Amateur Owner Hunter Rider, earning an impressive score of 88 in the Over Fences class.

In Section B and competing at the 3’6” height, Jenni Ryan of Los Angeles, California, and her own Pajamas took center stage, capturing the champion title. The pair's success, first in the Under Saddle, earned them the Antwerp Grand Amateur Owner 3’6" Champion Perpetual Trophy, sponsored by the Meadows Family.

Securing the reserve champion title for Section B was fellow 3’6” competitor Teddi Mellencamp of Encino, California, aboard her own Totally, thanks to two impressive first-place finishes in the Over Fences classes.

Taking the $2,500 Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3”/3’6” Classic was Greenwich, Connecticut-based rider Sophie Cohen aboard her own Christopher Robin. 

USHJA Small Junior Hunter 3'3" Championship

Dane Anson of Nanaimo, British Columbia, and his mount Franklin delivered exceptional performances to earn the USHJA Small Junior Hunter 3'3" Championship title. The pair showcased their consistency, taking first place Over Fences and securing the top spot in the $2,500 Small Junior Hunter 3’3” Classic.

Gianna Amerio of Roseville, California, and her own Yours Truly also shone in the competition, winning both the Stake and Handy to claim the reserve ribbon. 

USHJA Large Junior Hunter 3'3" Championship

Grace Russo, of Los Angeles, California, and Regal Blue, owned by First Blue LLC, delivered standout performances to claim the USHJA Large Junior Hunter 3'3" Championship title after a well-deserved win in the Over Fences class. For their win, the pair collected the Large Junior Hunter Division Perpetual Trophy donated by Balmoral Farm and Mr. and Mrs. Carleton Brooks.

Lily Stewart, of Carbondale, Colorado, rode her own Chimansky 3 to reserve. Meanwhile, Russo continued her success by topping the $2,500 Large Junior Hunter 3’3” Classic aboard her second mount, Casalino.

USHJA Junior Hunter 3'6" Championship

Violet Tatum made her mark in the Hunter ring, topped the USHJA Junior Hunter 3'6" Championship and the $2,500 Junior Hunter 3’6” Classic. She secured the tricolor aboard Fairbanks Valley Farm LLC’s Coup d’Etat after taking first in the Handy and the Stake. The pair’s success didn’t stop there as they collected the Grand Junior Hunter honor, Grand Junior Hunter For Fun Perpetual Trophy donated by Bridgeport Farm, and the High Score Junior Hunter title with a score of 92 in the Handy.

"I just had to figure out what he likes and what he doesn't like," said Tatum of her mount, who was a new partner for the Pacific Palisades, California-based rider. "My round today, it was pretty smooth. I thought all the jumps were the same and jumped very nice, and he just stayed the same pace the whole time."
The week’s $25,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby winners Paige Walkenbach, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, and Princeton earned reserve. 

Bling Award

Four Bling Awards, sponsored by Personalized Products, were handed out during this year’s Championships. Junior and Amateur Jumper riders were invited to dress themselves and their horses in their best blinged-out attire Thursday through Saturday to be considered for the award.

Sebastian Erhan, of Portland, Oregon, and King Blue; Lily Groff, of Littleton, Colorado, and Calido Starlight; Kameron Berry, of Lakeway, Texas, aboard Slackberry Bedrock; and Alice Griffin, of Bozeman, Montana, riding Cheddar accepted the award. 

Live streaming coverage of all 2024 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championship classes is available on USEF Network. Complete results are available on ShowgroundsLive.

The USHJA extends its thanks to the Desert International Horse Park team for hosting the Championships and to longtime Title Sponsor Marshall+Sterling Insurance. Special thanks also go to Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, Parlanti, and Exhibitor’s; and Championship Sponsors Boy O Boy Bridleworks, Charles Owen, Essex Classics, Human Touch, Prize Possessions, RingSide Pro, SmartPak, and the US Equestrian Foundation.

Additionally, USHJA extends its gratitude to division supporters Balmoral Farm, Ledges Sporting Horses, The Struve Family, Showplace Productions, Tapestry Farm, Patrick and Nicole Boyle, Mr. and Mrs. Carleton Brooks, Steve and Lisa Hankin, and Cheryl and Michael Rubenstein.

For more information about the Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships, visit ushja.org/NationalChampionships.

Release: USHJA and Desert International Horse Park

Photos: Andrew Ryback Photography, Terisé Cole/USHJA, Julie Mercer/USHJA