Tag Archives: US Junior Hunter National Championship

Championships, Hunter/Equitation, USEF, USEF

Kurtz and Seek Capture Grand Champion Titles at US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast

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(L to R) Emma Kurtz and Caldwell with USEF representatives Kelsey Shanley and Jennifer Mellenkamp (Cathrin Cammett Photo)

Devon, Pa. – The 2016 US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast came to a close on Tuesday, following two days of competition in the historic Dover Arena at the Devon Horse Show grounds. More than 150 of the country’s top juniors headed to the championship to complete three phases in front of the judging panel of Linda Andrisani, Holly Orlando, and James Toon over Skip Bailey-designed Classic Round course and Handy Hunter courses, which both counted for 40% of the overall score. The final 20% was earned in Tuesday’s Under Saddle phase which was judged by Jeff Ayers, Rob Bielefeld, and Bill Ellis. Emma Kurtz and Caldwell posted the best overall score of the 3’6″ competition to earn the 2016 Grand Champion title. In the 3’3″ championship, Devin Seek and Dress Balou earned Grand Champion honors.

3’6″ Championship

Kurtz (Hudson, Ohio) and Scott Stewart’s 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Caldwell, earned the 2016 National Title after scoring 99.2 in the Classic Round, 51 in the Under Saddle, and 102.8 in the Handy Round, to finish on an overall score of 253. The talented pair also earned the Large Junior Hunter 15-and-Under crown, taking home the USA National Junior Hunter Championship Perpetual Trophy donated by Mr. and Mrs. Donald Stewart, Jr.

Kurtz and David Gochman’s Dominik scored the Reserve Overall Grand Champion title. Kurtz and the eight-year-old Warmblood gelding earned scores of 102.8, 52.2, and 94.4 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Rounds, respectively, and an overall score of 249.4. The pair also posted the best score in the Small Junior Hunter 15-and-Under section, taking home the USA National Championship Perpetual Trophy donated by Geri and Whitney Roper.

Caroline Jones (Brownsboro, Ala.) and Century Performance Horses LLC’s At Last posted the top score in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 section, taking home the USA National Championship Perpetual Trophy donated by Christina Schlusemeyer. Jones and the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding finished on an overall total of 239.5 after posting scores of 92.5, 47.6, and 99.4 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Rounds, respectively. In Small Junior Hunter 16-17 competition, Eliza Bienstock (New York, N.Y.) and her own Playlist earned the top score of 241, taking home the USA National Junior Hunter Championship Perpetual Trophy donated by Pam and Wayne Baker. Bienstock and the 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding posted scores of 95.2, 50.4, and 95.4 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Rounds, respectively.

The top Owner/Rider for the 3’6″ section was MTM Hands Down, ridden by Annabel Revers and owned by her family’s Beechwood Stables, LLC, finishing with an overall score of 246.2.

Devin Seek and Dress Balou (Cathrin Cammett Photo)
Devin Seek and Dress Balou (Cathrin Cammett Photo)

3’3″ Championship

Seek (Ridgefield, Conn.) and Donald Stewart’s Dress Balou topped the 3’3″ Junior Hunter 15-and-Under section A on their way to earning Overall Grand Champion honors in the 3’3″ section. Seek and the seven-year-old Warmblood gelding earned scores of 103.2 in the Classic Round, 50.8 in the Under Saddle, and 104.4 in Handy Round to finish on an overall total of 258.4.

Grace Boston earned Reserve Overall Grand Champion in the 3’3″ section with Donald Stewart’s six-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Spalding. The pair, which had the highest score in the 3’3″ Junior Hunter 15-and-Under section B, scored 91.6, 52, and 100.2 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Rounds, respectively, to finish on an overall total of 243.8.

“I am so thankful that Don Stewart gave me the opportunity to ride his fabulous horse, Spalding,” said Boston. “Spalding felt amazing throughout the weekend and at the end of my handy, I knew we had performed well enough to earn a good ribbon. I was ecstatic when I found out that I had won the class and earned Champion and Reserve Grand Champion. I had gone into the weekend with the goal of ending up in the top 10, but never expected to end up on top.”

“It’s still exciting for me to find and own such nice horses and be lucky enough to have students that can show them to their full potential,” said Donald Stewart. “I’m very excited about Spalding, as he is six and a newcomer, whereas I think Balou is one of the winningest hunters ever, having won over $350,000.00 to date at only seven years old. Special thanks to my team and Aaron Vale.”

Grace Hutson (Lancaster, Pa.) and her own 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Davinci, topped 3’3″ Junior Hunter 16-17 Section A competition after finishing on an overall score of 239.4. They produced scores of 96.3, 49.1, and 94 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Rounds, respectively. Additionally, Hutson was crowned top Owner/Rider in the 3’3″ section.  Isabel Stettinius (Washington D.C.) and her own Balenciaga, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding, won the 3’3″ Junior Hunter 16-17 Section B with an 88.6 in the Classic round, a 49.2 in the Under Saddle, and a 99.0 in the Handy round, for an overall score of 236.8.

Sydney North’s Valentine, a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse, was also honored as the Best Overall Mare and received the War Dress Memorial Trophy donated by Cleta S. Turbow and Pamela J. Rush after receiving an overall score of 241.

Visit usefnetwork.com for photos and videos from the 2016 US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast.

From the USEF Communications Department

Championships, Hunter/Equitation, USEF, USEF

Elizabeth Traband Receives 2015 US National Junior Hunter Championships Grant

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Elizabeth Traband and Huh (Cathrin Cammett Photo)

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the 2015 winner of the $1,000 Junior Hunter Finals competitor grant, Elizabeth Traband, of Centre Hall, Pa. Traband competed at the US Junior Hunter Championships East Coast in the 3’3″ Junior Hunter division with her own horse, Huh.

The grant is awarded annually to the applicant who constructs the best essay detailing how his/her competitive experience has affected him/her, and what it would mean to be awarded the grant. The winner is selected by USEF staff members, who were impressed with lines from Traband’s essay.

“When I reflect back on my world, I see so many positive effects from my time spent with horses,” Traband wrote. “It’s made me believe in my dreams and embrace the perseverance it takes to make them come true. I have learned responsibility, focus, commitment, and the benefit of hard work, which carries over in everything you do.”

Learn more about the US Junior Hunter National Championship at www.usef.org.

From the USEF Communications Department

Hunter/Equitation, USEF

Van Konynenburg and Claessens Triumph at US Jr. Hunter Nat’l Championship West Coast

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Kaitlyn Van Konyenburg and Wish List (Captured Moment Photography)

Del Mar, Calif. – The 2015 US Junior Hunter National Championship West Coast came to a close on Tuesday, following two days of competition at Del Mar Horse Park. More than 50 of the country’s top juniors headed to the championship to complete three phases in front of the judging panel of Bucky Reynolds, Scott Williamson, and Chris Wynne over Joe Lombardo-designed Classic Round and Handy Hunter courses, which both counted for 40% of the overall score. The final 20% was earned in Tuesday morning’s Under Saddle phase. Kaitlyn Van Konynenburg and Wish List posted the best overall score of the 3’6″ competition to earn the 2015 Grand Champion title. In the 3’3″ championship, Celine Claessens and Small Kiss earned Grand Champion honors.

3’6″ Championship

Van Konynenburg (Pacific Palisades, Calif.) and her own 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Wish List, earned the 2015 National Title after scoring 95.20 in the Classic Round, 48.30 Under Saddle, and 102.00 in the Handy Round, to finish on an overall score of 245.50. The talented pair also earned the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 crown.

Ashton Alexander (Ocala, Fla.) and Mountain Home Stables’ Krave scored the Reserve Overall Grand Champion title. She and the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding finished on an overall total of 244.80 after posting scores of 96.20, 47.80, and 100.80 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Rounds, respectively. The pair also posted the best score in the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division.

In Large Junior Hunter 15-and-Under competition, Hunter Siebel (Woodside, Calif.) and Mountain Home Stables’ 10-year-old Brandenburg gelding, As Always, earned top honors on an overall score of 242.00, with Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Round scores of 104.80, 46.40, and 90.80, respectively. Grady Lyman and Teton Farms LLC’s Irasir posted the top score in the Small Junior Hunter 15-and-Under division. Lyman and the 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding earned scores of 95.00, 48.20, 101.60 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Rounds, respectively, and an overall score of 244.80.

The Small Collection Perpetual trophy for the highest scoring mare on the West Coast was awarded to Café de Colombia, owned by Mountain Home Stables and ridden by Morgan Dickerson.

Celine Claessens and Small Kiss (Captured Moment Photography)
Celine Claessens and Small Kiss (Captured Moment Photography)

3’3″ Championship

Claessens (Rolling Hills, Calif.) and her own Small Kiss topped the 3’3″ Junior Hunters Over Fences section A, winning the California Split Section A Overall on their way to earning Overall Grand Champion honors in the 3’3″ Championship. She and the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding earned scores of 101.40 in the Classic Round, 50 in the Under Saddle, and 98.30 in Handy Round to finish on an overall total of 249.70.

Kailin Kerzner (Edwards, Colo.) earned Reserve Overall Grand Champion with Janie Andrew’s 15-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Tache Rouge. The pair, which had the highest score in the 3″3″ Junior Hunter Section A Handy Round and topped Section B overall, scored 94.10, 49.20, and 100.60 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Rounds, respectively, to finish on an overall total of 243.90.

From the USEF Communications Department

Hunter/Equitation, USEF, USEF

Alexander and Tirador Win Titles at US Jr. Hunter Championship West Coast

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Ashton Alexander & Cafe de Colombia (Captured Moments Photography)

Lexington, Ky. – The best junior riders attended the 2014 US Junior Hunter National Championship West Coast July 21-22 in hopes of being crowned the Overall Grand Champion. Over two days of tough competition at the Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, Calif., riders competed in three phases: Classic Round, Under Saddle, and Handy Hunter. The Under Saddle phase counts for 20% of the rider’s overall score, while both the Classic Round and Handy Hunter count for 40%. The judging panel of Scott Hofstetter, John Roper, and Christina Schlusemeyer observed the riders, with courses designed by Skip Bailey being a highlight each day. Ashton Alexander came away with the coveted title in the 3’6″ Championship, while Sabrina Tirador claimed top honors in the new 3’3″ Championship.

3’6″ Championship

Alexander (Ocala, Fla.) and Cafe de Colombia, a 12-year-old Belgian mare owned by Doublethink LLC, earned an overall score of 266.60 to claim the Overall Grand Champion title. With scores of 263.00 in the Classic phase, 267.00 in the Under Saddle phase, and 270.00 in the Handy phase, Alexander ended up on top of the leaderboard with Cafe de Colombia, who was also named the Leading Mare of the West Coast edition of the Championship. In the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division, the pair also scored top honors by a 13.2-point margin.

“It was very exciting,” said Alexander. “It was my first time out in California. I had a great time and a great experience. It was very close and no one knew [who would win] until the end.”

Only one point behind Alexander was Destry Spielberg and Illusion, making them the Overall 3’6″ Reserve Grand Champions. Earning respective scores of 264.00, 260.00, and 270.00 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy phases, Spielberg (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Dogwood Hill LLC’s 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding finished with an overall score of 265.60. The pair had a 10-point victory in the Small Junior 16-17 division to claim the Champion title.

In the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division, Grace Prochilo (Wilson, Wyo.) and Irasir was steadiest over the three rounds and earned the Championship.

The Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under Championship went to Hunter Seibel (Woodside, Calif.) and C Coast Z, a 14-year-old gelding owned by Mountain Home Stables.

3’3″ Championship

The competition for the Championship in the combined 3’3″ division, new to the Championship on both coasts in 2014, was about as close as they come. After the three rounds it was Sabrina Tirador (Tustin, Calif.) and her own Holsteiner gelding, Mercury who prevailed with a score of 237.40, only fractions of a point over Reserve Champions Eliza Foster (Santa Barbara, Calif.) and her Oldenburg mare, Paloma, who finished with 237.20. Tirador and Mercury earned scores of 222.00 in the Classic phase, 238.00 in the Under Saddle phase, and 252.50 in the Handy phase to win the Overall Grand Championship title.

“It is my last year as a junior, so winning at Junior Hunter Finals was very special and meaningful to me,” said Tirador. “Mercury was great over the course of the championship. He was super responsive and consistent. Overall, it was a great experience and I couldn’t have done it without my parents and trainers Richard Slocum, David Bustillos, and Allison LaJoie.”

To find out more information about the US Junior Hunter National Championships, visit www.usef.org.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

Rizvi & Easton Capture Grand Champion Titles at US Jr. Nat’l Championship East Coast

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Yasmin Rizvi and Flirt (Catherin Cammett Photo)

Devon, Pa. – The 2014 US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast came to a close on Tuesday, following two days of competition in the historic Dixon Oval at the Devon Horse Show grounds. More than 100 of the country’s top juniors headed to the championship to complete three phases in front of the judging panel of Leo Conroy, Christina Schlusemeyer, and Bill Ellis over Skip Bailey-designed Classic Round course and Handy Hunter courses, which both counted for 40% of the overall score. The final 20% was earned in Tuesday morning’s Under Saddle phase. Yasmin Rizvi and Flirt posted the best overall score of 3’6″ competition to earn the 2014 Grand Champion title by seven-tenths of a point over Victoria Colvin and Canadian Blue. In the 3’3″ championship, Olivia Easton and Martel earned Grand Champion honors over Emma Ecklin and Forever.

3’6″ Championship

Rizvi (Greenwich, Conn.) and Peacock Ridge LLC’s 13-year-old Warmblood gelding, Flirt, earned the 2014 National Title after scoring 259.00 in the Classic Round, 248.00 Under Saddle, and 264.00 in the Handy Round, to finish on an overall total of 258.80. The talented pair also scored an 11-point victory in the Small Junior Hunter 15-and-Under section. Additionally, the 13-year-old rider earned the Owner/Rider Grand Championship in the 3’6″ section, as well as the Small Junior Hunter 15-and-Under crown.

“Winning Junior Hunter Finals is accomplishing one of my dreams as a rider and a big step in my junior career. This reflects our hard work this year and how far we’ve come as a team,” said Rizvi. “I am so proud of Flirt. He felt the best that he’s ever been and is such an amazing horse. I am so thankful to Flirt, my trainers and my parents for making this possible.”

Two-time and reigning champion Colvin (Loxahatchee, Fla.) brought Dr. Betsee Parker’s Canadian Blue into this year’s competition and scored Reserve Overall Grand Champion and Small Junior Hunter 16-17 titles. The nine-year-old Warmblood gelding finished on an overall total of 258.10 after posting scores of 264.00, 237.00, and 262.75 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Rounds, respectively.

In Large Junior Hunter 15-and-Under competition, Caroline Dance (West Chester, Pa.) and her own 12-year-old German Warmblood gelding, Show Time, earned top honors on an overall score of 252.10, with Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Round scores of 243.50, 252.50, and 260.50, respectively. Morgan Ward (Milford, N.J.) and Catherine Pasmore Sales, LLC’s eight-year-old Westphalian mare, Indorada 3, earned the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 title with Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Round totals of 259.00, 224.00, and 252.00, respectively, to finish on a championship score of 249.20.

Victoria Press’ nine-year-old Warmblood mare, Akinda, was honored as the Best Overall Mare after scoring 247 overall in the Small Junior Hunter 15-and-Under 3’6″ championship.

3’3″ Championship

Easton (Key Biscayne, Fla.) and her own Martel topped the 15-and-Under section on their way to earning Overall Grand Champion honors in the 3’3″ Championship. The 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding earned scores of 261.00 in the Classic Round, 238.00 in the Under Saddle, and 242.50 in Handy Round to finish on an overall total of 249.00. Additionally, Easton was crowned top Owner/Rider in the Grand Championship and 15-and-Under section.

Olivia Easton and Martel (Catherin Cammett Photo)
Olivia Easton and Martel (Catherin Cammett Photo)

“One of Martel’s greatest attributes is his consistency. This weekend was no exception. He was on his game and that allowed us to do our best,” said Easton. “Winning Junior Hunter Finals has been my goal from an early age; to achieve it means the world to me and to share it with my longtime trainer, Karen Flynn, makes it that much better.”

Finishing just over eight points behind Easton were 2014 Reserve Grand Champion Emma Ecklin (Lancaster, Pa.) and her own eight-year-old Westphalian mare, Forever. The pair, which was also runner-up to Easton in the 15-and-Under division, scored 230.00, 259.00, and 242.00 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Hand Rounds, respectively, to finish on an overall total of 240.60.

Casey Menna (East Noriton, Pa.) and her own 14-year-old KWPN mare, Ubora, topped 16-17 competition after finishing on an overall score of 236.00. They produced scores of 226.00, 234.00, and 248.00 in the Classic, Under Saddle, and Handy Rounds, respectively.

To find results, photos and videos from the 2014 US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast, visit: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014JrHunterChampsEast/.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

USEF Network to Live Stream 2014 US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast in July

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Lexington, Ky. – On Monday, July 7, and Tuesday, July 8, USEF Network presented by SmartPak will present a live stream of the 2014 US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast. USEF Network’s coverage will include all three rounds of Championship competition (Classic Round, Under Saddle Round, and Handy Round) and both rounds of the Hunterdon Cup on Monday afternoon.

This year, the US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast is held as part of the Brandywine Summer Series and will be streamed live from the Dixon Oval at the Devon Show Grounds in Devon, Pa.

Coverage will begin at 8:00am ET on July 7 and will be available to watch on the USEF Network coverage page at www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014JrHunterChampsEast/.

USEF Network will use the hashtag #JrHunterEast when posting news and updates about the stream on Twitter.

For information about advertising during the US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast live stream, please contact Kim Russell at krussell@usef.org, or Crissi White at cwhite@usef.org.

Learn more about the US Junior Hunter National Championship at www.usef.org.

Learn more about the Hunterdon Cup at www.ushja.org.