O'Malley Masters 2024 IHSA/USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Final - West at Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships

Las Vegas, Nev.—Nov. 18, 2024—Brooke O’Malley made her first trip to the 2024 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships and the Las Vegas National Horse Show a winning one on November 17. The 15-year-old from Los Angeles, California, led through three phases of competition to take home the win in the IHSA/USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Final - West.

O’Malley was one of 31 entries to take on the first-round, Archer Bailey-designed course on Sunday morning at the South Point Hotel, Casino, & Spa. From there, judges Patricia Griffith and Stacia Madden narrowed the field down to the top 20 to return for round two.

“I really enjoyed the course, and I thought it was set super nicely,” said O’Malley, of Los Angeles, California, who trains with Susie Schroer and the team at Meadow Grove Farm. “It was super pretty, and I think the technicality was super fun for me. I really like when it’s more technical. I’m able to shine a little bit better. We practice a lot of technical courses at home.”

O’Malley’s practice was evident as she earned a first-round score of 89 aboard her own Uno!. From there, the pressure was on, as riders returned in reverse order of their standings for round two. For O’Malley, it’s a situation she has been in before, as just this fall, she came back in first place in the THIS National Children’s Medal Final. That time, O’Malley ultimately ended up in sixth place, but this time, O’Malley really rose to the occasion.

“I was super nervous coming in last on the highest score,” said O’Malley. “I’ve ridden last a couple times, so I wasn’t as nervous as I think I would have been, but it is a lot more pressure. I just always tell myself that I can do it, and I’m able to do it. That helps my nerves settle down. I take big, deep breaths and pat my horse and just go in and have a good canter and go from there.”

O’Malley and Uno! proved consistent in round two, again earning a score of 89 to hold onto their lead with a cumulative total of 178. Sitting in second place with a score of 171 was Ava Sabin, of Reno, Nevada, on Kilroy; Lila Badham, of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Quadro d’Ag held third with a score of 170, and Rosemary Bilson, of Van Nuys, California, sat in fourth with a score of 169.5 on Que Color.

With second through fourth place all sitting within two points of one another, the judges called back the top four for additional testing, where O’Malley once again rose to the occasion, only further cementing her lead.

Ultimately finishing in second place was Badham, while Sabin took home third place, and Bilson rounded out the top four.

“When they first set the test, I was a little bit scared,” said O’Malley. “It was kind of hard, but my horse is pretty adjustable, so he was able to come back super nicely in the first line. We had to add a stride. I was actually able to get my canter back pretty quickly, which allowed me to get the forward seven to the double which not everybody did. I think that said something that I was able to have a forward canter. I’m super excited [to get the win!]”

All contestants were gifted hats and IHSA tumblers, while the top twelve riders were honored with bridle ribbons, rider sashes, and saddle pads for their achievements. As Reserve Champion, Badham received a keeper trophy and an Essex Classics show shirt. O'Malley was awarded a cooler, a keeper trophy, and a pair of Parlanti boots as Champion.

The IHSA/USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal serves as a stepping stone for Equitation riders, providing an opportunity to qualify and compete in a National Equitation Final at fence heights of 3’3”. The Medal is open to Junior riders, who have not competed in any of the following National Equitation Finals with fences at 3’6” within the same competition year, including USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, ASPCA Maclay Finals, USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals (East or West), WIHS Equitation Classic Finals, Jump Canada Medal Finals, or the North American Equitation Championship.

The USHJA extends its thanks to the Desert International Horse Park team for hosting the Final and to Title Sponsor the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association. Special thanks also go to Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, Parlanti, and Exhibitor’s, and Supporting Sponsor Essex Classics.

To learn more about the IHSA/USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal, visit ushja.org/HunterSeatMedal.

IHSA/USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Final - West Results

Rider | Horse | Trainer | Owner

Round 1 | Round 2 | Two-Round Score*
*The Final Round was not scored.

Release: USHJA and Desert International Horse Park

Photos: Andrew Ryback Photography