Las Vegas, NV – November 14, 2024 – Amanda Gomez of Norco, CA, 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 in first across the $1,000 1.20m Welcome, $1,000 1.20m Speed and $10,000 1.20m Grand Prix.
“I am developing [Cedric] very slowly, just trying to do right by him,” said Gomez. “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.”
Amanda Gomez and Cedric. Photo by DIHP
In speaking of the Hanoverian gelding that she has been partnered with for just under a year, Gomez continued, “I really have a great relationship with him. He has fantastic owners who are super supportive of the horse and our partnership, which I’m eternally grateful for.”
Following her sweep of the division, Gomez was also awarded with the Leading Open Jumper Rider honor.
Michael Dennehy of Lone Tree, CO, 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.
Taryn McEntire and Karen. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
For the second year, MJ and Todd Kaplan’s Karen took the USEF/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper National Championship title, this time with Taryn McEntire, of Oceanside, CA, in the irons. McEntire and the mare also took first in the $1,000 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Welcome and the $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,” said McEntire, who rides under the tutelage of 2023 champion Skylar Wireman. “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 [Wireman] let me do her in the 1.10m, and then this year she handed over the reins for me in the 1.30m. 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.”
In the $10,000 1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper Grand Prix, it was déjà vu for Whitney Wickes and her own Chapeau. The pair topped the class for the second year in a row before also claiming the reserve championship.
Jason McArdle and Lollipop High. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Jason McArdle, of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, rode Hyperion Stud LLC’s Lollipop High, straight to the top of the USEF/USHJA 1.30m Open Jumper National Championship, collecting the tricolor after taking first in both the $1,000 1.30m Welcome and the $1,000 1.30m Speed.
Skylar Wireman, of Bonsall, CA, took the reserve championship and the win in the $20,000 1.30m Grand Prix aboard Conchita Z, owned by Shayne Wireman.