USEF/USHJA National Jumper Champions Crowned at 2024 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships
Las Vegas, Nev.—Nov. 16, 2024—The USEF/USHJA National Jumper Championships wrapped up on day four of the 2024 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships at The Las Vegas National with 1.10/1.15m and 1.20/1.25m Junior and Amateur winners. Alongside Affiliate Hunter and Jumper competition, divisions continue through November 17 at the South Point Hotel, Casino, & Spa.
USEF/USHJA 1.10/1.15m Junior Jumper National Championship
The USEF/USHJA 1.10/1.15m Junior Jumper National Championship victory gallop was led by Anthony Pizzi of Danville, California, aboard his own Noorderlicht. The duo also secured a win in the Speed class.
“We just came from Temecula, from the Zone Jumper Team Championships, which was good, and we were champions there,” said Pizzi, referencing his Gold Medal team finish at the Markel/USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships. “It's such a good opportunity to be able to end the year on a high note at this show because this is our last show this year, and then we'll step up into the 1.20m next year.”
Elizabeth Gardner, of Ontario, Idaho, and Spirit, owned by Sherry Gardner, collected reserve and first in the Grand Prix.
USEF/USHJA 1.10/1.15m Amateur Jumper National Championship
Lisa Piasecki of Santa Fe, New Mexico, claimed the USEF/USHJA 1.10/1.15m Adult Amateur Jumper National Championship aboard her own Cortina ES. Piasecki showcased her skill and precision, narrowly winning the Welcome class by less than a second, and followed it up with a strong second-place finish in the Grand Prix to secure the title.
Lily Savage of Henderson, Nevada, earned reserve honors with her own Centuro, delivering an impressive performance by winning the Grand Prix less than a second faster than Piasecki.
USEF/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Junior Jumper National Championship
After starting strong with a victory in the Welcome, Cavan Smith, of Watsonville, California, won the USEF/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Junior Jumper National Championship with her own Cello 23. Jordyn Isom-McLewee, of Palos Verdes Estates, California, took reserve with her own Luck Fee.
USEF/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Amateur Jumper National Championship
Sidney Porter of Eustis, Florida, and Lex De Nuit, owned by SLP Show Jumpers LLC, emerged victorious in the USEF/USHJA 1.20/1.25m Amateur Jumper National Championship. The pair delivered top performances in the Welcome and Grand Prix to secure the prestigious title.
Vanessa Gardner, of Ontario, Oregon, and Gucci Van Fil Horses Z, owned by Sherry Gardner, claimed reserve. The pair also took the win in the Speed class.
USHJA Affiliate .70m Children’s Jumper Championship
Zoey Snyder of Huntington Beach, California, and her own Cotill claimed the title of USHJA Affiliate .70m Children's Jumper Champion. Representing the Pacific Coast Horse Show Association, the duo dominated the Two Phase competition, finishing more than three seconds ahead of the field, and secured second place in the Grand Prix.
The reserve champion went to Jaxon Bays of Wellston, Oklahoma, and his own Whiskey Blues. The pair was nominated by the Oklahoma Hunter Jumper Association and claimed first in the Grand Prix.
USHJA Affiliate .70m Adult Jumper Championship
The USHJA Affiliate .70m Adult Jumper Championship saw Tara Povalish collect the tricolor aboard Highball, owned by Chanel Shaffer. The Bozeman, Montana, native was nominated by the Yellowstone Hunter Jumper Association before winning the Two Phase and Grand Prix.
Sierra Nevada Horse Show Association nominee Rosalie Baker, of Dayton, Nevada, rode her own Tilburg to reserve.
USHJA Affiliate .80m Children’s Jumper Championship
Emma Wust Head of Indianapolis, Indiana, secured the USHJA Affiliate .80m Children's Jumper Championship title aboard her own P2’s In The Pocket. Representing the Indiana Hunter Jumper Association, Wust Head secured the championship after a win in the Welcome class and a third-place finish in the Two Phase.
“Winning this feels incredible. I would never have dreamed of this happening. I came in and I didn't have any expectation to win at all,” said Wust Head. “‘Pocket’ is super sweet. She just loves everyone and she'll just go up to you right away and search your pockets, so that's where everyone thinks she got the name. She just loves her people.”
Snyder and Cotill earned the reserve championship title by winning the Two Phase class and coming second in the Welcome.
USHJA Affiliate .80m Adult Jumper Championship
Cregan Ortner of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, rode her own Big Medicine to victory in the USHJA Affiliate .80m Adult Jumper Championship. Ortner secured the championship title with standout performances, topping both the Welcome and Two Phase classes. The duo proudly represented the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association.
Natalie Kennel of San Diego, California, piloted her own Elvinue Rouet PS to reserve honors. Kennel earned red ribbons in both the Welcome and Two Phase classes and was nominated by the Pacific Coast Horse Show Association.
USHJA Affiliate 2' Children's Hunter Championship
Breckyn Maxwell, of Scottsdale, Arizona, riding Kristen Hillenbrand's Woodlands Romance topped an Over Fences class and came second in the Under Saddle class on the way to claiming the USHJA Affiliate 2' Children's Hunter Championship title. The Arizona Hunter Jumper Association nominated the pair.
Nominated by the Sierra Nevada Horse Show Association, Sterling Sennhenn of Incline Village, Nevada, rode Lynn Maclean's Marvel to reserve honors. The duo topped an Over Fences class and took third in another Over Fences class.
USHJA Affiliate 2' Adult Hunter Championship
Outreach Golden Backstage Pass recipient Stacy Nelles, Bluffdale, Utah, swept the USHJA Affiliate 2’ Adult Hunter aboard her own Outspoken to earn the Championship title. Together, they won three Over Fences classes and the Under Saddle after winning the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 & Over 2’ Championship on Thursday.
Wesley Fox, of Arvada, Colorado, and Saint Valentine, nominated by the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association, grabbed the reserve champion title.
USHJA Affiliate 2'6" Children's Hunter Championship
The USHJA 2'6" Children's Affiliate Perpetual Trophy sponsored by Kevin Price and USHJA Affiliate 2'6" Children's Hunter Championship title went to the Washington State Hunter Jumper Association’s Derrick Sia and his own Low Key. The pair, of Medina, Washington, won two Over Fences classes after securing the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 17 & Under 2'6" Championship earlier in the week.
Willa Page, of Elkhorn, Nebraska, and her own Beatrix Potter, nominees of the Iowa Nebraska Hunter Jumper Association, picked up the reserve honors.
USHJA Affiliate 2'6" Adult Hunter Championship
Sarah Alke rode her own SS Skywalker to her second tricolor of the Championships, this time in the USHJA Affiliate 2'6" Adult Hunter division. After sweeping the Under Saddle and two Over Fences classes, the Yellowstone Hunter Jumper Association nominee from Bozeman, Montana, took home the USHJA 2'6" Adult Affiliate Perpetual Trophy sponsored by Kevin Price.
“This has surpassed any victory with ‘Luke.’ This has been an incredible week and so much fun. He is the best horse and I have the best team that set him up to be a winner this week. So I'm really grateful,” said Alke, who also topped the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 & Over 2'6" Championship on Wednesday. “The Affiliate program is such an incredible opportunity for those of us that live in more rural areas and are able to do those Outreach shows. I didn't know what to expect, but I've been really blown away with the program; it’s awesome.”
Reserve went to Jane Gerndt, of Lehi, Utah, and her own Coincidence, who were nominated by All In.
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
