Seltzer and Berg Claim the Gold in the USHJA Zones 9 & 10 Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, Presented by SmartPak

Thermal, Calif.—November 11, 2019— Peyten Seltzer and Adrienne Berg shone on the final day of competition, capturing gold medals at the end of Individual Competition at the USHJA Zones 9 &10 Children’s and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, presented by SmartPak, on Sunday, November 10, at the National Sunshine Series II. Seltzer took the title with an overall score of 421, while Berg's overall score was 432.

Sunday's Individual Competition consisted of an under saddle, classic hunter and handy hunter round, which were designed by Thomas Hern. Judging the Championships were two panels comprised of Marla Amormino and Andrea Wells, and Shane George and William Sparks.

Peyten Seltzer earned the gold medal in the Children's Hunter Individual Championship with Que Creme. Photo by ESI Photography.

Peyten Seltzer of Rancho Santa Fe, California, piloted Que Creme to the win in both over-fences, and captured her first individual gold medal in the Children's division, with hopes of moving up into the Junior Hunters in the coming year. She enjoyed the opportunity to ride the course built for Sunday morning's USHJA International Hunter Derby, knowing it would set her on a path to compete in future derby classes.

Seltzer, Clements and Gabus stand on the podium at the Children's Hunter Individual Championship. Photo by ESI Photography.

In silver position was Helena Clements on a score of 385. About to advance to her final year as a junior, Clements aspires to compete in various equitation finals next year as well as move up in the hunters. Bronze medalist Caroline Gabus finished on 380 points. She particularly enjoyed the team setting that brought the participants together, even through the Individual Final.

"There’s a team spirit for the first day and that’s nice to have because collegiate riding has that, and in our usual setting we all ride for the same barn but we’re competing in different events so it’s fun to have teams."

The Adult Amateur Hunter Individual Championship was won by Adrienne Berg and Swan Song. Photo by ESI Photography.

Topping the Adult Amateur podium was Adrienne Berg, who also won both over-fences and ended on a score of 432. Berg, of Redmond, Washington, commended the course design by saying, "[Hern] gave us some pretty difficult courses so it was a great test of the riders’ and horses’ skills."

Tressa Blankenship took the silver medal, with a total score of 385.5, while Katie Cook rounded out the medals on a score of 379. Blackenship's horse, Capiccio, has successfully transitioned from the jumpers to the hunters.

Of her first Championship experience she said: "I like that you start with Team Day which is something you don't get to do in other shows. Going into the individual day I tried to keep a great state of mind and take each jump as it comes."

Berg, Blankenship and Cook accept their medals on the podium for the Adult Amateur Hunter Championship. Photo by ESI Photography.

Cook's mount, Doheny, is a 6-year-old and the pair conquered their first trot jump in the show ring during the Handy Round of the competition. She noted that her experience overall was better than expected. "I was nervous in the beginning but realized that there were a lot of chances to do something good," said Cook. "Because they have ribbons for every class and then team ribbons, I felt like there were a lot of chances to be successful."

All USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championship riders received polo shirts and tote bags from the Championships' presenting sponsor, SmartPak . For their wins, riders are awarded ribbons, and the gold medalists took home numerous prizes, including an embroidered cooler, Charles Owen helmet, CWD halter, Parlanti paddock boots, Essex Classics Show Shirt and FITS Riding breeches.

The USHJA extends special thanks to the entire Desert International Horse Park team for hosting the Championships, Chefs d’Equipe Wendy Krohn and Rebecca Bruce for leading the teams, and presenting sponsor SmartPak for their generosity and support of the sport. USHJA also thanks awards sponsors Charles Owen, CWD, Parlanti, Essex Classics and FITS Riding.

For more information about the USHJA Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter Championships, presented by SmartPak, visit  ushja.org/ChAAHunter. 

Children's Hunter Individual Results

Rider / Horse / Hometown

GOLD: Peyten Seltzer / Que Creme / Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. / Zone 10

SILVER: Helena Clements / Elektra I / Seattle, Wash. / Zone 9

BRONZE: Caroline Gabus / Escapade / Laguna Beach, Calif. / Zone 10

4: Sarina Singh / Archive / Bellevue, Wash. / Zone 9

5: Camille Cheng / Evermore / Goleta, Calif. / Zone 10

6: Harliana Otto / Blanche GCF / Palm Springs, Calif. / Zone 10

7: Emma Neher / Shine On / Kenmore, Wash. / Zone 9

8: Zoe Macbeth / Andante / Redmond, Wash. / Zone 9

Adult Amateur Hunter Individual Results

Rider / Horse / Hometown

GOLD: Adrienne Berg / Swan Song / Redmond, Wash. / Zone 9

SILVER: Tressa Blankenship / Capaccio / Portland, Ore. / Zone 9

BRONZE: Katie Cook / Doheny / Newport Beach, Calif. / Zone 10

4: Allison Talbot / My Oh My / Bellevue, Wash. / Zone 9

5: Briteney Mercer / Testify / Seattle, Wash. / Zone 9

6: Jennifer Boyce / Maximus Z / Eugene, Ore. / Zone 9

7: Nancy Butano / Triple Crown / Bend, Ore. / Zone 9

8: Hilary Zak / Cascade / Seattle, Wash. / Zone 9

About SmartPak

Presenting sponsor of the Championships SmartPak Equine was founded by riders and horse owners for riders and horse owners in 1999 with the purpose of simplifying the administration of nutritional supplements to horses. Their patented SmartPak™ supplement feeding system has been adopted by thousands of barns and horse owners across the country, who value knowing that their supplements will be fed correctly. In addition to the SmartPak supplement system, they offer a broad line of horse health, show apparel, tack, and canine supplies sold online and through their catalogs. More information is available at  smartpakequine.com. 

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.