Five new amateur and junior hunter champions were crowned on Saturday, November 15, at the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships, with Karin Binz and Vatikan and Violet Tatum and Braavo taking home the divisions’ highest honors.
Karin Binz and Vatikan. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Binz and her own Vatikan delivered a dominant performance to sweep Section A of the USHJA 3’3″/3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunters, besting their 2024 finish at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas.
The Lomita, Calif., rider topped the welcome, handy, stake and under saddle classes on her way to the tricolor, as well as securing the win in the $2,500 3’3″/3’6″ Amateur Owner Hunter Classic. For their standout efforts, the pair earned the Grand Champion Amateur Owner Hunter honors, and they were awarded the Soon To Be Grand 3’3″ Amateur Owner Champion Perpetual Trophy, sponsored by the Smith Family.
Karin Binz and Vatikan. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
“I’m very proud, because last year I came in and I got around, but there were some good parts and then some dicey parts,” said Binz. “This time, I felt like I really kept my head together. He’s a full year older, and he just really has become a really good horse and trustworthy. You have a finite period of time to make or break a horse, and you’ve got to listen to them. We did, and it’s paying off.”
In Section B, Paris Theodosakis, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., took top honors aboard her own A Big Boss after winning the welcome, handy and under saddle. Highlighted by an impressive score of 89 in the handy, the pair also claimed the High Score Amateur Owner Hunter Rider title.
Nicole Lean, of Bend, Ore., and her own Pence WTF, earned the reserve championship in Section A, while Morgan Beyler, of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., and her own Sligo secured the reserve in Section B.
USHJA 3’6” Junior Hunter Championship
Violet Tatum and Braavo. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
For the second consecutive year, Violet Tatum, of Pacific Palisades, Calif., took home the championship in the USHJA 3’6” Junior Hunters, this time with Braavo, owned by Brookway Stables. The pair took the blue in the handy, stake and under saddle, as well as the win in the $2,500 3’6” Junior Hunter Classic. Their consistent efforts ultimately earned them the Grand Junior Hunter title and the Grand Junior Hunter For Fun Perpetual Trophy, donated by Bridgeport Farm.
Olivia Aul, of Woodinville, Wash., and her own Cheers! earned reserve honors.
With a three-way tie, the High Score Junior Hunter Award was shared by Tatum and Braavo, Aul and Cheers! and Ellie Aitchison and Dominion, each earning an impressive score of 88.
Violet Tatum and Braavo. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
USHJA 3’3” Small Junior Hunter Championship
Hailey Eynon, of Rolling Hills Estate, Calif., rode KHC Farms, Inc.’s Love Story to the top of the USHJA 3’3” Small Junior Hunters, delivering consistent rounds across the division’s classes.
Reserve honors were awarded to Isabel Dyckerhoff, of Woodside, Calif., aboard Einstein, after a strong performance in the handy.
USHJA Large Junior Hunter 3’3″ Championship
Ellie Aitchison, of Woodinville, Wash., topped the USHJA 3’3” Large Junior Hunters aboard Stacey Lucko’s Dominion. The pair produced standout performances in the handy and under saddle classes, earning the championship tricolor and the Large Junior Hunter Division Perpetual Trophy, generously donated by Balmoral Farm and Mr. and Mrs. Carleton Brooks.
Reserve honors went to Olivia Whiting, of Scotts Valley, Calif., riding her own Edesa’s Cameroon.
Bling Award
Throughout the day, jumper competitors were invited to showcase their Las Vegas spirit by dressing themselves and their horses in their finest blinged-out attire for a chance at two Bling Awards, supported by Herm Sprenger and Exhibitor’s. The Junior Bling Award was presented to Sheree Hawkins, of Austin, Texas, aboard her own Kobe Bean, and the Amateur Bling Award went to Kristina Matthews, of Denver, Colo., riding her own Catibo M.
For more information about the Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships, visit ushja.org/NationalChampionships, and to learn more about all competitions hosted by Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.