Van Horne Victorious in 2024 USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals

Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 17, 2024—The fifth annual USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge National competition saw Katie Van Horne, of Woodland, California, take the top spot. Held virtually from November 20-December 8, the top 19 Amateur members who took the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge quizzes were invited to compete for the overall title, as well as awards in each phase. 

"I think it’s really important for all equestrians to keep learning about their sport and how to better care for the amazing horses in our lives," said Van Horne. "There’s so much more to horses than just riding in the show ring, and this program highlights and rewards that. I’m always encouraging my friends and barn mates to participate. I’ve even referred complete strangers on social media to the USHJA website and Study Guide for more information on general horsemanship topics!"

The three-phase competition kicked off with an online Written Exam to evaluate the finalists' knowledge of horsemanship and stable management. The top 12 performers on the Written Exam advanced to the Interview stage, which included essay-style questions and a video interview with the Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Committee. The scores from the Written Exam and Interview were averaged to determine the top four finalists, who then progressed to the Practicum phase. In this final stage, participants showcased their horsemanship skills through a series of demonstrations on video.

Van Horne, who finished third overall in 2021, demonstrated exceptional performance across all three phases of competition. She secured first place in the Interview, second in both the Written Exam and Practicum, and earned the highest combined score overall, capturing the title in her third year competing.

"My first time out, I finished in third place and had a lot of fun doing the practicum," Van Horne said. "My big goal this year was to make it to the practicum again. I’ve always been a barn rat and love to be hands-on with the horses. Having the opportunity to demonstrate some of the knowledge and techniques I’ve learned over the years is really fun for this horse nerd."

To prepare for Nationals, Van Horne focused on the official Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Study Guide, using study strategies like flashcards and connecting concepts to her horse’s care routine. She also expanded her knowledge by exploring relevant topics such as saddle fit, show ring turnout, and joint therapies through books, webinars, and podcasts.

"I try to link the memorization to what it means practically with my horse," she said. "I reviewed anatomy and conformation when grooming my horse at the barn, thinking about what his strengths and weaknesses are and how that translates to our training, feeding, and maintenance plan for him."

First-time competitor Sarah Jarosinski Holy, of Suffolk, Virginia, earned the reserve title, placing first in the Practicum and fourth in the Interview. Casey Waite, of Janesville, Wisconsin, secured third overall by placing second in both the Written Exam and Interview and third in the Practicum. Completing the top four was Madeline Rideout, from Poughkeepsie, New York, who earned third in the Interview and fourth in the Practicum.

Van Horne, Jarosinski Holy, and Waite were awarded training and education grants for their overall placings, receiving $2,000, $1,500, and $500, respectively. Additional prizes were presented through fourth place overall, as well as to the top scorers in each testing phase, courtesy of USHJA sponsors CWD, Essex Classics, Nutrena, and SmartPak.

"A big thank you to my barn family at LaSalle Farms and all the horses I’ve known who have helped me prepare for this over the years, as well as to the Committee and sponsors who make this program possible," Van Horne said. "I’m excited to use this generous grant from the USHJA Foundation to continue building a partnership with my new horse, both at home and at shows."

The USHJA thanks Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti; Educational Partners Spy Coast Farm; and Supporting Sponsors Essexs Classics and SmartPak.

The USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge is supported in part by grants from US Equestrian and the USHJA. For more information about the USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, visit ushja.org/AdultHQC.

USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals Results

Overall

1. Katie Van Horne

2. Sarah Jarosinski Holy
3. Casey Waite
4. Madeline Rideout

Written

1. Jennifer Roberts-Keating
2. Kortney Bahem, Katie Van Horne, and Casey Waite

Interview

1. Katie Van Horne
2. Casey Waite
3. Madeline Rideout
4. Sarah Jarosinski Holy

Practicum

1. Sarah Jarosinski Holy
2. Katie Van Horne
3. Casey Waite
4. Madeline Rideout

Photo: Courtesy of Katie Van Horne