Violet Tatum Victorious in USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - West, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University

Del Mar, Calif.—July 24, 2024—After three rounds of competition at HITS Del Mar Horsepark, Violet Tatum claimed the 2024 USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - West, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University, aboard Iron Man van de Kalevallei. The California-based rider topped the class alongside barnmate Gable Gering in reserve and Camilla Jerng in third.

"It was a lot of rounds, so it kept me busy, which was nice because I didn't have a lot of time to get nervous," said Tatum of her preparation for the day's three rounds. "I took my horse, Iron Man, to what was basically his first show in America, so we’ve been on this whole equitation journey together for over a year. He's such a nice horse and so special."

Attracting 39 riders across the West Coast, the Classic Hunter Round was designed by 2023 WCHR Course Designer of the Year Meghan Rawlins and overseen by judges Andrea Welles and Tony Sgarlata. The top 25 returned for the Handy Hunter Round, featuring track elements that tested a rider's ability to establish a plan and have the adaptability to execute it. From there, the leading six riders swapped mounts and were brought back for a Final Round.

Taking an early seat in second place, Tatum, of Pacific Palisades, California, finished the first two rounds on a score 171, just behind class leaders Madilynn Lo Porto and Kentucky. Her chance to move up came during the work-off, before which she was given 90 seconds of flatwork and two fences to adjust to Lo Porto's mount. Following some sound advice from her trainer, Archie Cox, Tatum's impressive Final Round secured her the champion tricolor.

“As the kids were going around the handy round, I thought to myself, 'This is so much pressure.' Pressure is a privilege and being on top is a good thing," said Archie Cox, trainer to Tatum and Gering and owner of Iron Man van de Kalevallei. "When they switched horses, I told my students, 'You're all good riders. They’re all good horses. Do what you know how to do and just ride the horse.' And it worked out nicely today."

Despite their new partnership, Gering, of Pacific Palisades, California, and Ashland Farms' Habantos rose seven spots in the first two rounds with a score of 169.5. Under Cox's guidance, her Final Round on Annabelle Kolter's Limelight sealed her position as reserve champion.

"My horse that I've been riding in this final is a brand new ride to me, so I was kind of used to doing that course on a horse I didn't know very well," said Gering. "I went in on Limelight and I just rode how I know to ride, which is what Archie told me to do: just go in and do your thing. I just trusted the horse and went with my gut at all the jumps and it turned out well."

Camilla Jerng, of Woodside, California, rode Susie Schroer's CS Cadeaun to third. The pair's two-round score of 166.75 was supplemented by Jerng's work-off on Avery Winston's Pop Up. Finishing in fourth was Lo Porto followed by Winston in fifth and Kolter in sixth. Lo Porto's mount, Kentucky, owned by Oakland Ventures, LLC, also collected the Best Equitation Horse honor.

The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University, is a three-round class that combines the precision of equitation and handiness of hunters over a course set at 3'6". Held during the East and West Coast Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter National Championships, the Gladstone Cup is open to any rider that is an Active USHJA junior member at the time of the competition and has won a USEF Hunter Seat Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, either phase of WIHS Equitation Classic at a National or Premier show or Overall WIHS Equitation Classic during the qualifying year. 

"The Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic is a prestigious event in the equestrian world, and it's an incredible honor to host it at Del Mar Horsepark. These championships are a cornerstone for the future of our sport, often serving as the launching pad for our international riders. The equitation finals provide a solid foundation, and California has always been at the forefront in nurturing and developing talented riders,” said Dale Harvey, the General Manager of Del Mar Horsepark. 

The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire HITS team for hosting the Classic. The USHJA also thanks Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti; Presenting Sponsor Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University; and Award Sponsor Essex Classics.

For more information about the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University, visit ushja.org/Gladstone.

USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - West, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University Results

Rider, Horse, Trainer
Round 1 | Round 2 | Two-Round Score*
*The Final Round was not scored.

1. Violet Tatum, Iron Man van de Kalevallei, Archie Cox
85 | 96 | 171

2. Gable Gering, Habantos, Archie Cox
81.50 | 88 | 169.50 

3. Camilla Jerng, CS Cadeaun, Susie Schroer
83 | 83.75 | 166.75 

4. Madilynn Lo Porto, Kentucky, Olivia Dawson Grove
84.5 | 89 | 173.50 

5. Avery Winston, Pop Up, Shelley Campf
80.50 | 85 | 165.50 

6. Annabelle Kotler, Limelight, Morgan Thomas
84.35 | 84 | 168.35 

Photos: High Desert Sport Photo
Edited press release in collaboration with HITS.