USHJA Hunter Team Challenge Wrap-Up Across the East, Central and West Regions

Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 7, 2022—In its second year, the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge concluded after a total of 21 teams vied for medals across the East, Central and West regions of the country. 

"I really like the Challenge. It gives competitors in the 3’0'', 2’6” and Children’s Pony Hunter divisions something special to look forward to. The colored armbands and cross-division team structure encourage you to spectate and meet people across different age groups, barns and geographic locations," said Elizabeth Bohlin, a rider on the Gold Medal Team in the West Challenge. 

The top three teams take the podium at the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge - Central. Photo by Alison Hartwell Photography.

The USHJA Hunter Team Challenge - Central saw seven teams compete and was held July 20-24 at Lamplight Summertime III in Wayne, Illinois. 

Gold Medal Team

• Brianna Murray, of St. Louis, Missouri, riding her own Ricochet 
• Abigail Rigert, of Winfield, Illinois, and Another Day In Paradise, owned by Joshua Kobylinski
• Rachel Lubben, of Aurora, Illinois, and her own Dagon 

Silver Medal Team

• Olivia Hutsler, of Chicago, Illinois, and The Game Is On, owned by Nicole McCarthy
• Maeve Krayer, of Hinsdale, Illinois, and Afterthought, owned by Sarah Lewensohn
• Delaney Hoffman, of South Elgin, Illinois, aboard her own Bravo
• Sienna Halama, of Long Grove, Illinois, riding her own King Casanova

Bronze Medal Team

• Annika Nyberg, of High Ridge, Missouri, and her own Commander B
• Joshua Kobylinski, of St. Charles, Illinois, and Corradino, owned by Donna Leetz
• Amelia Vandevender, of Glenview, Illinois, and MTM Lollipop, owned by Adrienne Ruffle
• Mila Wolf, of Chicago, Illinois, and Rocabillie, owned by Sara Kemper

The top three East teams celebrate their victory. Photo by ESI Photography.

The USHJA Hunter Team Challenge - East saw nine teams compete and was held August 3-7 at New York Horse & Pony in Saugerties, New York. 

Gold Medal Team

• Olivia Lee, of Rye, New York, and City Smarts, owned by Affari Equestrian LLC
• Jillian Slattery-Mauss, of Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, and Milo, owned by Tracy Lee Collins
• Hayley Wyman, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and her own Espirit De Victoire

Silver Medal Team

• Lena Andrews, of Millington, New Jersey, and her own Paddington
• Kate Cianfaglione, of Canton, Connecticut, aboard her own Fox Creek's Dark Knight
• Olivia Vlahakis, of Westport, Connecticut, riding her own Sir Blue Moon De Brio
• Allison Tarter, of Bronxville, New York, and Shining, owned Elizabeth Tarter

Bronze Medal Team

• Wilma Riordan, of Deerfield, New Hampshire, and Rollingwoods Up To Snuff, owned by Kellie Monahan-Riordan
• Samantha Stepanik, of Feeding Mills, Massachusetts, and Hederiggy, owned by Springen Horses
• Abigail Davis, of New York, New York, and Gio Candio, owned by Ard Equestrian LLC
• Lola Erdmann, of Simsbury, Connecticut, and Cortano D, owned by Humble Roots

The Gold Medal team takes the podium during the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge - West. Photo by ESI Photography.

The USHJA Hunter Team Challenge - West saw five teams compete during National Sunshine Series II in Thermal, California, over November 8-13. 

Gold Medal Team

• Emma Brand, of Carpinteria, California, and her own Confession
• Robert Fries, of Kirkland, Washington, and his own Feng Shui
• Bohlin, of Woodinville, Washington, aboard her own Idea-K
• Sophie Ruder, of Bend, Oregon, riding her own McNamara

Silver Medal Team

• Emerson Whitcomb, of Bend, Oregon, rider and owner of Saint Cloud
• Anne Hill, of Mill Creek, Washington, and her own Faberge 
• Reese Kelly, of Bend, Oregon, and Orlando, owned by Oona Brennan
• Laura Ownes, of Scottsdale, Arizona, aboard her own Scirocco 91

Bronze Medal Team

• Naomi Ries, of Medina, Washington, and her own Louis Le Bon
• Savannah Strebinger, of Newport Beach, California, and Laurenz 29, owned by Della White
• Tara Niculescu, of Bend, Oregon, and Crafted, owned by Capstone Equestrian LLC
• Grace Plunkett, of Sherman Oaks, California, and Q 7, owned by Megan Berkovits

"I loved the Team Challenge because it was very different from anything I have done before. It was really fun, especially feeling like I had the support of a team behind me, and all the pressure of winning not only on me was nice," said Ruder, 15, a competitor on the Gold Medal Team from the West Challenge.   

"The way everyone set it up just makes it so easy for the riders to just have fun and work for the win. It is a lot of fun to see everyone compete and to cheer on my teammates," said Brand, 11, who competed on the Gold Medal Team in the West Challenge. 

This unique format allows for Hunter riders competing in the 2’-2’6” Children’s Pony Hunters, 2’6” Low Child/Adult Hunters and 3’ Children’s/Adult Amateur Hunter divisions to experience what it is like to ride on a team by random draw. An additional bonus is that riders who participate in the Hunter Team Challenge can earn extra Zone Horse of the Year Points in their respective divisions. 

For 2023, the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge has expanded to include four Challenges:

• Central Challenge - Summertime III in Wayne, Illinois, July 18-22, 2023
• Northeast Challenge - New York Horse and Pony in Saugerties, New York, August 1-5, 2023
• West Challenge - National Sunshine Series II in Thermal, California, November 8-12, 2023
• Southeast Challenge - Jump For The Children II in Raleigh, North Carolina, November 18-22, 2023

The USHJA would like to thank Official Sponsors CWD, Exhibitor's, Parlanti, Nutrena, and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy; and award sponsor State Line Tack for their support. A special thank you also goes to the teams at HITS and Desert International Horse Park for hosting the Challenges. 

Learn more about the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge at ushja.org/HTC.