Stewart Wins Record-Setting Eighth USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Professional Finals

Upper Marlboro, Md.—Oct. 8, 2024—With rides described as “a riding lesson,” “masterclass,” and “stunning,” Scott Stewart won the $30,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Professional Finals on Friday, October 4, at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. It was the eighth time Stewart had won the class, as he rode four unfamiliar horses to 90+ scores.

“Everything just worked out perfectly for me,” admitted Stewart, who has competed in the class 23 times in its 31-year history. “I found each horse really easy to ride, and they just did everything I asked them to do.”

This year’s format for the WCHR Pro Finals included a schooling session in the morning of potential horses for the class, which was narrowed down to six that were presented in the ring over a course of jumps by their own riders on Friday night. From there, four were chosen to be a part of the class, including two—RSH Kallahan Z and Ton Amie Van Spieveld—donated by owner Ellie Goodfriend and trainer Colleen Brombach. Joining them were Hello Houston Z, owned by Williams Sport Horses and trained by Kim Buzby, and Chantino PS, owned by JT Equine LLC and trained by Christa Endicott.

Along with Stewart, fellow riders Geoffrey Hesslink and Nick Haness qualified through their top three finishes in the 2024 WCHR Professional Rider National standings. Amanda Steege picked up the final spot thanks to her win in Wednesday’s $50,000 WCHR Professional Challenge.

In a simplified format for 2024, the four riders rode all four horses over a different course for each of the four rounds, set by the team of Ken Krome, Joe Carnicom, and Megan Rawlins. They were judged by three panels of judges including Tony Sgarlata and Tom Brennan; Rob Bielefeld and Tammy Provost; and Scott Hofstetter and David Beisel; all of whom judged the class based on the presentation of the horse and the style of the rider. The riders were not allowed to school the horses and went straight into the arena to compete.

Stewart, of Flemington, New Jersey, set the tone in the first round with his ride on Chantino PS and a score of 94.33. There was no slowing down from there as he racked up further scores of 96.33, 95.66, and a stunning 96.66 on Hello Houston Z for a total of 382.98—more than 20 points ahead of the field.

“I grew up riding a lot of very nice horses, but maybe not as talented as the ones we are riding today. From my small junior career up to my early professional career, I had lots of horses that probably couldn’t even jump higher than three feet,” remarked Stewart. “I had lots of hours in the saddle doing that and schooling ponies and horses for all kinds of jobs, so I think I have a little age and experience."

“To be still competing at this level with these great riders, it's a fantastic feeling just to be in the mix,” he continued. “I'm very appreciative of it, and I don't take it for granted because it's not going to last forever. I'm thrilled to do it each time, and it means a lot.”

Geoffrey Hesslink, of Wellington, Florida, who had a banner week winning the Grand Champion Hunter and Leading Hunter Rider awards, finished second on a total of 362.66. His best score came on his last ride, Chantino PS, for a score of 94.66.

“I grew up watching this class as a young kid and remember idolizing every rider, literally dreaming of one day doing it, and thinking it was so out of reach,” said Hesslink, who finished second in the class in 2020 and fourth in 2023. “To be here means a lot to me, and I'm grateful for every time I get to do it.”

Amanda Steege, of Ocala, Florida, slotted into third place with a high score of 92.66 on Ton Amie Van Spieveld and a total of 360.98. “I would always come and watch [the WCHR Pro Finals], but never thought it would be a class that I would have a chance to qualify for,” said Steege. “I'm always happy that I made it to the class, and then I just try to enjoy it, have a good time, and not do anything too embarrassing!”

Haness, of San Clemente, California, finished in fourth place on a total of 359.99 and also had his high score of 94 on Ton Amie Van Spieveld.

“I think that we were lucky to have consistency throughout the class, and it can showcase each rider's strengths,” said Haness, who took home his third straight WCHR Professional Rider National title. “We are so grateful to have such solid horses to ride; they were all brave and very straightforward in their own way. Maybe they had a little bit of their own tendencies, which was nice to converse with the other riders about at the back gate in between the rounds. I think we were all team players together.”

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For his win in the WCHR Professional Finals, Stewart was presented with the All The Way Perpetual Trophy, donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lisa Burke Horkan. Ton Amie Van Spieveld was honored with The Far West Farms Perpetual Trophy donated by The Karazissis Family as he tallied the highest final scores of 87, 96.33, 94, and 92.66.

Ton Amie Van Spieveld competes in the 12-14 Equitation with owner Goodfriend. Having recently been imported from Europe, this was only his third show in the U.S.

“It was exciting to see all the pros ride them and seeing them able to ride different courses and how the horses adjust to them,” said Goodfriend. “I saw them being able to balance and then let him loosen and flow up to the jumps, which I thought was really nice. He kept jumping in good form, so it was very exciting to see.”

Goodfriend’s trainer, Colleen Brombach of Silver Fox Farms in Wimberley, Texas, agreed. “I love it; I try to donate a horse every year because I like to see a really good rider on my horse.”

Haness summed up the night’s competition, “Scott just gave us all a riding lesson. It was great to see him be so magical out there. It was really admirable to see what he could accomplish with those horses, and that inspires me as a young professional to look forward to trying to do more.”

Also held throughout the week were eight WCHR Challenge classes. Congratulations to the following winners:

$50,000 WCHR Professional Challenge and Little Brook Perpetual Trophy donated by Gary Duffy - Amanda Steege and Lafitte de Muze, owned by Cheryl Olsten
$10,000 WCHR Developing Professional Challenge and Bittersweet Perpetual Trophy donated by Rachel Kennedy - Ryan Kenny and Outshine, owned by Michael Britt-Leon
$5,000 WCHR Amateur Owner 3’6” Challenge and Amateur Owner Challenge Perpetual Trophy donated by the Texas Hunter Jumper Association - Sophie Gochman and her own Colter
$2,500 WCHR Amateur Owner 3’3” Challenge - Stephanie Danhakl and her own Tufton Avenue
$2,500 WCHR Adult Amateur Challenge and Pat Thompson Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Page Tredennick in memory of her mother - Glenda Monkarsh and her own Hush Money
$5,000 WCHR Junior 3’6” Challenge - Brooke Hagerty and Casino Cash, owned by The Hagerty Family
$2,500 WCHR Junior 3’3” Challenge - Mimi Maddock and Ocean Road, owned by Maddock Horses LLC
$1,500 WCHR Children's Challenge and WCHR Children’s Challenge Perpetual Trophy donated by the Applegate Family and Arwen Stables - Clara Burnham and Ravello, owned by Wolfstone Stables & Sales Inc
$2,500 WCHR Pony Challenge and Foxlair’s Poker Perpetual Trophy donated by Cindy and Nancy Amling - Grace Stenbeck-Werner and Prestige, owned by Swede Ventures LLC

Numerous WCHR awards and trophies were also presented throughout the week. Congratulations to the winners of the following awards based on scores or points:

Derbydown Trophy donated by Louise Serio of Derbydown and awarded to the highest scoring Hunter round by a Professional in the Pro Sections at the Capital Challenge Horse Show - Samantha Schaefer and Kenzo, owned by the Maher Family LLC, with a score of 93
Rox Dene Perpetual Trophy donated by Elaine and Chanda Boylen and presented to the owner of the horse ridden by a Professional or Developing Professional earning the most points in the High Performance Working Hunter, First Year Green, Second Year Green, Green Conformation, Regular Conformation or Performance Working Hunter 3’6” sections using the horse’s top four WCHR Member Events plus the Capital Challenge Horse Show - Lynn Olson, owner of Modern Man, ridden by Nick Haness, Shelley Campf, and Emily Perkins
Jeffrey Katz Trophy donated by Lisa Cudahy in memory of Jeffrey Katz and presented to the Professional or Developing Professional horse-and-rider combination earning the most points in the First Year Green, Second Year Green or Green Conformation sections using their top four WCHR Member Events plus Capital Challenge Horse Show - Geoffrey Hesslink and Monarchy, owned by Shadowfax Equestrian LLC and Lacy Howell
Alabama Clay Conformation Hunter Perpetual Trophy donated by the Weisman Family and presented to the owner of the horse earning the most points in the Green or Regular Conformation sections using the horse's top four WCHR Member Events plus Capital Challenge Horse Show - Lynn Olson, owner of Modern Man, ridden by Nick Haness, Shelley Campf, and Emily Perkins
Urlala Perpetual Trophy donated by Kimberly Maloomian and presented to the Adult Amateur horse-and-rider combination earning the most points in the Adult Amateur sections using their top four WCHR Member Events plus the Capital Challenge Horse Show - Glenda Monkarsh and her own Hush Money
Small Town Perpetual Trophy donated by Iwasaki and Reilly and presented to the owner of the horse ridden by a Junior rider earning the most points in the Junior Hunter 3’6” sections using the horse's top four WCHR Member Events plus Capital Challenge Horse Show - Ceil Wheeler, owner of Cerano, ridden by Maddie Tosh
Charles Johnson Perpetual Trophy in memory of Charles Johnson and presented to the high-point rider from the Midwest region - Brooke Hagerty

Style of Riding Awards were presented to the following riders:

Professional - David Wilbur
Developing Professional - Pieter Luyckx
Stewart Warner Perpetual Trophy donated by Don Stewart and Louise Serio in memory of Laurie Gilbert Stewart and Mary Warner Brown and presented to the Pony, Junior and Children’s riders who, in the opinion of the judging panel, exhibit the best Hunter style and show potential as a Hunter-style rider
- Junior 3'3"/3'6" - Gabriella Anzelc
- Children's - Kenzi Smith
- Pony - Cisy Zhou

The year's National Champions were also recognized:

Professional - Nick Haness
Professional Owner - Glade Run Farm LLC
Developing Professional - Emily Perkins
Developing Professional Owner - Lauren & Kelly Campbell
Amateur Owner 3'6" and Spiff ‘N Polish Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke - Sophie Gochman
- In Disguise Perpetual Trophy donated by Ellen and Jim Toon and presented to the trainer of the WCHR Amateur Owner 3’6” National Champion - Scott Stewart
Amateur Owner 3'3" - Brittany Warden
Adult Amateur - Glenda Monkarsh
Junior 3'6" and There’ll Be Times Perpetual Trophy donated by Elizabeth Busch Burke and Lysa Burke Horkan - Paige Walkenbach
Junior 3'3" - Lily Sonneborn
Children's - Siena Smith
Pony and $50 Fine For Loose Dogs Perpetual Trophy donated by The Paxton Corporation - Emi Richard

A group of individuals selected by the WCHR Committee or WCHR membership were also honored for their efforts and dedication to the sport:

Winter’s Run Sportsmanship Award donated by Patricia Bosley in memory of her mother and presented by WCHR membership vote to a person who best exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship - Chris Payne and Lisa Hankin
Daniel P. Lenehan Perpetual Trophy in memory of Daniel P. Lenehan and presented by the WCHR Committee to a person who exemplifies dedication and lifetime commitment to judging show hunters - Walter “Timmy “Kees
David Peterson Perpetual Trophy donated by Kavar Kerr and Jim Anderson and presented by the WCHR Committee to a person who exemplifies dedication and commitment to the care and well-being of horses - Duncan Peters and Lori Bidwell
Old Springhouse Perpetual Trophy donated by the Old Springhouse Corporation and presented by WCHR membership vote to the winner of the WCHR Lifetime Achievement Award - Carleton Brooks
USHJA/WCHR Course Designer Perpetual Trophy presented by USHJA to the Course Designer of the Year - Kevin Holowack

The World Championship Hunter Rider Program was founded in 1992 to recognize and celebrate the Hunter rider. Since the inaugural WCHR Professional Finals in 1992, the program has expanded to include coveted year-end awards for Professionals, Developing Professionals, Amateur Owners, Adult Amateurs, Juniors, Children's, and Pony riders. WCHR Program Participants qualify for National and Regional Awards by earning points at WCHR Events held across the country throughout the qualifying year. Points from a rider's top four WCHR Events will be used to determine the National and Regional standings. Each year the top ten nationally ranked riders and top six regionally ranked riders in each category come together to compete in the WCHR Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show.

The USHJA extends special thanks to the Capital Challenge Horse Show team for hosting the Finals; Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and Supporting Sponsor Essex Classics.

For more information about the USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Program, visit ushja.org/WCHR

$30,000 USHJA WCHR Professional Finals Results

1. Scott Stewart | 94.33 | 96.33 | 95.66 | 96.66 | 382.98

2. Geoffrey Hesslink | 87 | 93 | 88 | 94.66 | 362.66

3. Amanda Steege | 88.33 | 90.33 | 89.66 | 92.66 | 360.98

4. Nick Haness | 91 | 88.33 | 94 | 86.66 | 359.99

Release: Jump Media and USHJA
Photos: Shawn McMillen Photography and Tricia Booker/USHJA