Thermal, Calif. – Violet Tatum, 17, made history on Friday, March 13, by becoming the first junior rider to win the $150,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider West Coast Hunter Spectacular presented by Core Specialty. Tatum and Just Apple, owned by Becky Equestrian LLC, led the class from beginning to end to take home the victory during Desert Circuit 10.
Violet Tatum and Just Apple. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
The prestigious class – held on the West Coast since 2013 – attracted 58 entries for the opening, classic hunter round on Friday afternoon at Desert International Horse Park. Following the first round, the field was narrowed to the top 18 horses for a handy hunter round under the lights of the Grand Prix Stadium.
Tatum and Just Apple’s opening round over the Meghan Rawlins-designed course earned them an average score of 90 from the two judging panels, composed of Connie Dorsch, Richard Slocum, William Sparks and Steve Whal. That score put them on top of the leaderboard heading into Friday evening’s handy.
Violet Tatum rode Just Apple to the win in the $150,000 USHJA WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I was definitely very nervous!” said Tatum of coming back in the first-place position. “I’ve never really been on top in a professional class like that.”
Tatum’s nerves certainly did not show, however, as she and Just Apple returned to earn a second-round score of 87.625 for an overall, winning average score of 88.81.
Second place with scores of 89.25 and 87.75 for an overall average of 88.50 went to Halie Robinson and Simba de Vinck, owned by Big Picture LLC. Finishing in third were Mia Campf and In The End, owned by Lynn Olson. The pair earned scores of 87 and 87.50 for an 87.25 average.
Violet Tatum and Just Apple. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I was very, very happy with my round,” said Tatum. “I trusted my horse. It was incredible, and I was just very, very happy with the outcome.”
While Tatum and the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding looked every bit the veteran partnership, Tatum had not jumped a course aboard Just Apple prior to Thursday.
“My friend, Evie Becky, she asked me if I wanted to ride Apple in the Spectacular, and of course I would love to,” explained Tatum. “I do not know him, but he’s a great horse. I trust him through everything. He’s just incredible.”
Halie Robinson and Simba de Vinck finished in second place. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
The $150,000 USHJA WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular marked the culminating finale of 10 weeks of top-notch professional hunter competition at DIHP’s Desert Circuit. For each of the top three, it marked a ‘spectacular’ end to a spectacular season in Thermal, Calif.
“It’s such a nice way to end the season for these horses,” concluded Robinson. “I’ve always had a variety of horses here at the circuit, and whether they’re 4 years old or 15 years old, I think they leave the desert feeling so prepared for whatever’s going to come next. This finale is a really nice culmination toward the end of it, and you get to see where your horse is at and where you’re at together in your partnership…I’m just grateful that we get to all be here and enjoy the desert and the consistency that it offers to horses because you leave feeling better than ever.”
Mia Campf and In The End took home third. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
For complete results from the $150,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider West Coast Hunter Spectacular presented by Core Specialty, click here. For more information about the USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Program, visit ushja.org/WCHR, and to learn more about all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.