Amateur Owner Hunters Shine at AON/USHJA National Championships

Las Vegas—Nov. 17, 2019—Amateur Owner Hunters shined on Saturday in the South Point Arena at the AON/USHJA National Championships in Las Vegas, crowning USHJA National Hunter Champions for Amateur-Owner 3'3" and 3'6" divisions.

USHJA Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3" Championship, 18-35

It was a stellar day for Sybil Rose, of Phoenix, Arizona, as she captured the Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3", 18-35 division Championship, the $2,500 Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3" Classic and the Grand Champion Amateur Owner Hunter title.

"My horse is amazing," said Rose of HLF Wanderlust. "I took him to indoors last year and he walked in the ring and went around like a champ. So, when I brought him here this year, I was really excited to see how he would do. This is one of the bigger awards I've ever won with this horse, so it was really special."

Chelsea Samuels, of La Canada, California, rode Adele to the Reserve Champion title after a win in the Welcome over fences class and the under saddle.

USHJA Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3" Championship, 36 and over

Cindy Fox, of Claremont, California, piloted Nostalgic to the Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3" Championship win for the 36 and over age group. The duo earned first place in both over over fences classes and second in the under saddle.

Riding to the Reserve Championship was Irene Neuwirth, of Culver City, California, and Twinkle Toes. The pair had consistent top placings in the division's over fences classes, finished second in the Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3" Classic and the appropriately named Twinkle Toes impressed the judges to capture the top spot in the under saddle.

USHJA Amateur Owner Hunter 3'6" Championship

Parris Cozart Collins, of Ojai, California, wrapped up her AON/USHJA National Championships earning the division title for the 3'6" Amateur Owner Hunters on Uno Mas. The pair also finished seventh in Friday night's $25,000 Junior/Amateur USHJA National Hunter Derby.

"This was my first time coming here and it’s been so fun," said Collins of her Championship experience. "They really make it special like a true indoors. I had gone back east for Devon and that was my one big trip of the year so I couldn’t go back for indoors because I have two little ones. So I decided to make this my indoors! And I was really lucky – [Uno Mas] was great.

Lindsey Shiefelbein, of Coto de Caza, California, and Verdict captured the Reserve Champion title after a first place finish in in the Welcome over fences class. The duo also took top honors in the Handy round and earned the High Score Amateur Owner Rider title with her score of 87 in the Welcome over fences class.

Michelle Filanc, of Del Mar, California, and Bayou won the $2,500 USHJA Amateur Owner Hunter 3'6" Classic.

In a surprise presentation during the Opening Ceremonies of the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday night, AON/USHJA National Championship Competition Manager Pat Boyle was presented with the USHJA Zone 5 Horseman of the Year award. Established in 2014, the annual Zone 5 Horseman of the Year Awards are presented to individuals, who through their dedication and contribution of time, knowledge, financial and other assistance, have added to the betterment of the sport.

Exhibitors Enjoy Educational Offerings

In addition to competitive opportunities, free educational sessions hosted by the USHJA took place Thursday, Friday and Saturday, including an interactive and engaging session with renowned sports psychologist Mario Soto, a Judge with the Judge clinic, led by R Hunter and Equitation Judge Mark Bone, during Round 2 of the WCE Finals on Saturday and a course walk of the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Las Vegas Grand Prix, Saturday night with Olympic Gold Medalist Will Simpson.

The AON/USHJA National Championships conclude on Sunday, November 17, with division championships being awarded for Children's Hunters, Adult Amateur Hunters, Junior Hunters, Pony Hunters and Age Group Equitation.

USEF Network is hosting wall-to-wall coverage of the AON/USHJA National Championships. Check out all the details here:

• Schedule
• Orders of Go
• Results
• Live Stream on USEF Network

The USHJA extends special thanks to presenting sponsor AON with Great American Insurance Group; USHJA official sponsors Charles Owen, CWD, Parlanti and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital; award sponsors Essex Classics, FITS, Prize Possessions, Schneider’s, Shapley’s, SmartPak and State Line Tack; Championship competition manager Pat Boyle, and Stephanie Lightner and the entire Las Vegas National and Blenheim EquiSports team. 

Thank you also to AON/USHJA National Championship division supporters and perpetual trophy sponsors: Balmoral Farm and Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Brooks (Large Junior Hunter Championship Perpetual Trophy), Tapestry Farm and the Struve Family (Green Hunter 3' Championship Perpetual Trophy), Steve and Lisa Hankin (Green Hunter 3'3" Championship Perpetual Trophy), Cheryl and Michael Rubenstein (Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Riesling Perpetual Trophy), Showplace Productions and Patrick and Nicole Boyle (Equitation 14 & Under Leading Rider Perpetual Trophy, Equitation 15-17 Leading Rider Perpetual Trophy and Overall Leading Equitation Rider Challenge Trophy), USHJA Executive Director (USHJA Affiliate Hunter 2'6" Championship Perpetual Trophy), and Ledges Sporting Horses and Clay and Donna Struve (USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Perpetual Trophy and USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Perpetual Trophy), and Knightsbridge Farm (Large Pony Hunter Championship Among the Stars Perpetual Trophy).

For more information about the AON/USHJA National Championships, visit ushja.org/NationalChampionships.

About AON

Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 50,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative and effective risk and people solutions and through industry-leading global resources and technical expertise. Aon has been named repeatedly as the world's best broker, best insurance intermediary, reinsurance intermediary, captives manager and best employee benefits consulting firm by multiple industry sources. Visit aon.com for more information on Aon and aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon's global partnership and shirt sponsorship with Manchester United. Aon is a broker for Great American. Great American is a contributor to the AON/USHJA National Championships.

About the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association

The United States Hunter Jumper Association, as the official hunter/jumper affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation, is a competition-based sport organization that serves our members through educational programs, awards and recognition, communication and rules. We provide a wide array of programs for all hunter/jumper levels, and we are mindful of the well-being of our equine partners. Additionally, we are committed to preserving the history of our sport and through our Foundation we support charitable and benevolent services. Learn more at ushja.org.