Walkenbach Three-Peats at 2024 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships

Las Vegas, Nev.—Nov. 15, 2024—Ten more Jumper, Equitation, and Affiliate champion tricolors were awarded on the third day of the 2024 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships. Held in conjunction with The Las Vegas National from November 11-17, the competition also saw Paige Walkenbach and Princeton capture their third $25,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby in South Point Hotel, Casino, & Spa’s South Point Arena.

$25,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby

With Walkenbach in the irons, Princeton, or “Prince” as he is known in the barn, could deservedly be crowned king of the $25,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby. The pair rode away with the win in the class for the third year in a row, having topped it in both 2022 and 2023.

“It's really nice [to win the class again], especially with my horse Princeton because he's kind of like my steady Eddie,” said Walkenbach, of Paradise Valley, Arizona. “I've had him since 2021, so we know each other really well. It's just always a nice moment with him.”

Walkenbach and the Selle Français gelding were one of 48 entries to take on the one-round Hunt & Go course, with their efforts earning them scores of 88 and 89 for a winning 177 total.

Second place with an overall score of 174.25 went to Violet Tatum of Pacific Palisades, California, and Bel Ragazzo. Walkenbach also took home third with a score of 174 aboard Walkenbach Equestrian’s Ever So Often.  

"I think the course was super fun,” said Walkenbach. “The hunt section had a great flow, allowing riders to showcase brilliance, while also requiring the rider to support their horse's jump at the skinnier fence. [In the handy section], it invited lots of options for turns. With Prince and Ever So Often, I opted for the inside turn in between the two skinnies. It worked out really nicely for me, and I took all the other inside turns that other people did. So, it was great.”

For her efforts, Walkenbach earned the Leading Junior National Hunter Derby Rider. The Leading Amateur National Hunter Derby Rider​ honor went to Jerra Mays, who finished eleventh overall in the class aboard Heritage.

USEF/USHJA 1.20m Open Jumper National Championship

Amanda Gomez of Norco, California, and her mount Cedric, owned by Carrera Horses Inc., dominated the USEF/USHJA 1.20m Open Jumper National Championship, sweeping all three classes to secure the division title. The duo consistently led the field, clocking in up to nearly 4 seconds ahead of their closest rivals across the $1,000 1.20m Welcome, $1,000 1.20m Speed, and $10,000 1.20m Grand Prix classes. As a result of her efforts, Gomez was named Open Jumper Leading Rider.

“I am developing [Cedric] very slowly, just trying to do right by him, because he is a little bit of a quirky, different type of horse. He's got a little bit of spook, which is great because they have to have that to be good. But you have to be very careful about the way that you develop them and not push on them too hard. So I just opted to jump the 1.20m here this week, just to settle down a little bit and end the year on an easier note, which ended up working out in my favor,” said Gomez. “I really have a great relationship with him; I've had him just under a year now. He has fantastic owners that are super supportive of the horse and our partnership, which I'm eternally grateful for.”

Michael Dennehy of Lone Tree, Colorado, piloted Major Moment, owned by Sylvie Haas, to reserve honors after strong performances in both the $1,000 1.20m Speed and the $10,000 1.20m Grand Prix, where the pair earned red ribbons.

USEF/USHJA 1.30m Open Jumper National Championship

Jason McArdle, of Rancho Santa Fe, California, rode Hyperion Stud LLC’s Lillipop High, straight to the top of the USEF/USHJA 1.30m Open Jumper National Championship, collecting the tricolor after taking first in the Welcome and the Speed. 

Skylar Wireman, of Bonsall, California, took reserve champion and blue in the Grand Prix with Shayne Wireman’s Conchita Z. 

USEF/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper National Championship

For the second year, MJ and Todd Kaplan's Karen took a 1.30m title, this time the USEF/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper National Championship with Taryn McEntire, of Oceanside, California, in the irons. The duo also took first in the $1,000 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Welcome and $1,000 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Speed. 

“I've come to Vegas for two years in a row now; this is my third year. The first time I ever did the Jumpers was on Karen. I got into the Affiliates and the 1.00m, and we ended up winning the Grand Prix on the last day. The next year, Skylar let me do her in the 1.10m, and then this year she handed over the reins for me in the 1.30m,” said McEntire of her mount, who won the 1.30m Open Jumper division in 2022 and 2023 with Wireman. “She's the coolest horse ever. She tries her heart out and she loves to win. She'll do anything she can to work as a team and get it done.”

It was déjà vu for Whitney Wickes, of Sheridan, Wyoming, riding her own Chapeau, who claimed Reserve Champion after topping the $10,000 1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper Grand Prix for the second year in a row. 

USHJA Equitation 14 and Under Championship

The Equitation 14 and Under Leading Rider Perpetual Trophy donated by Showplace Productions and Patrick and Nicole Boyle went to Brooke O’Malley riding her own Uno! The Los Angeles, California-based rider topped the Flat and an Over Fences class before claiming the USHJA Equitation 14 and Under Championship.

Reserve went to Lyla Middleton, of Golden, Colorado, and her own Fedro Della Favorita.

USHJA Equitation 15-17 Championship

Besting her reserve finish in 2023, Walkenbach claimed the USHJA Equitation 15-17 Championship and the Equitation 15-17 Leading Rider Perpetual Trophy donated by Showplace Productions and Patrick and Nicole Boyle. Aboard Missy Clark’s Bigtalu G Z, she swept the Over Fences classes on her way to the title, going on to earn the Leading Equitation Rider honor and the Showplace Productions Overall Top Equitation Rider Perpetual Trophy sponsored by Pat & Nicole Boyle.

Gabriella Anzelc, of Shingle Springs, California, was close behind Walkenbach, riding her own De Balou Z to reserve.

USHJA Equitation 18 & Over Championship

Jenni Rife of Los Angeles, California, captured the USHJA Equitation 18 & Over Championship aboard her own Pajamas, securing the title with a blue-ribbon finish Over Fences.

Reserve went to Catherine Westling, of Huntington Beach, California, and Gabrielle Sokolow’s Just Cavalli, who earned first on the Flat.

USHJA Affiliate Equitation 17 & Under 2'​ Championship

Haylee Hreno of Watsonville, California, showcased her skills aboard Cavan Smith’s Jack to clinch the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 17 & Under 2' Championship title. Representing Ocean Breeze, the duo dominated with wins in two Over Fences classes to secure the top honors.
The reserve title went to Corley Cavins of Norman, Oklahoma, riding Erulian, owned by Ashley Fraizer. Nominated by the Oklahoma Hunter Jumper Association, the pair earned second place in two Over Fences classes.

USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 & Over 2'​ Championship

Outreah Golden Backstage Pass winner Stacy Nelles, of Bluffdale, Utah, and her own Outspoken earned the title for the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 & Over 2' Championship after topping a Flat and two Over Fences classes. 
Claiming reserve honors was Novi, Michigan-based rider Elizabeth Raider, on her own Mr. Ed after taking first and second in Over Fences classes. The pair were nominated by the Interscholastic Equestrian Association. 

USHJA Affiliate Equitation 17 & Under 2'6"​ Championship

Derrick Sia led the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 17 & Under 2'6"​ Championship victory gallop aboard his own Low Key. The Medina, Washington, native was nominated by the Washington State Hunter Jumper Association and topped two Over Fences classes in the division.

Iris Wang, of Albany, California, rode to reserve with Emerson Shao’s Assoumont de Revile. The pair were nominated by the NorCal Hunter Jumper Association and took the blue ribbon Over Fences.

USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 & Over 2'​6" Championship

Yellowstone Hunter Jumper Association-nominee Sarah Alke rode her own SS Skywalker to the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 & Over 2'​6" Championship tricolor. The pair, of Bozeman, Montana, took first Over Fences on the way to the win.

Bella Fernandez, of Meridian, Idaho, and the High Desert Hunter Jumper Association took reserve and first in the Flat with Martha Price’s Sentinel PT.

Live streaming coverage of all 2024 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championship classes is available on USEF Network. Complete results are available on ShowgroundsLive.

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