Thermal, Calif. – November 9, 2026 – AJ Felix is no stranger to riding unfamiliar horses, and his catch riding experience paid off on Sunday, November 8, as he bested the bracket phase to win the 2026 USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West.
The year-end final – held as part of National Sunshine Series 2, presented by Frank & Eileen – drew a field of 70 riders to Desert International Horse Park for a shot at the win. Each of those entries took on the first-round course, designed for the Grand Prix Stadium by Colm Quinn, and at the end of the opening round, the top 20 percent were invited back for the flat phase.
AJ Felix and Early Moon Du Favril. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
By the end of the flat phase, Felix already sat in first place aboard Early Moon Du Favril, a different horse than Felix initially thought he would be competing on.
“As of last night, I was supposed to ride [another horse], and this morning it got vetted [to be sold],” explained Felix, who trains with Chelsea Brittner and Jenn Serek. “I don’t own any of my own horses, so I just ride whatever sale horses we get…So, I had to do a last-minute horse switch, but I was lucky enough to ride ‘Earl’ earlier this week in the [CPHA Style of Riding Championship – South].”
AJ Felix in his winning presentation. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
In speaking of the 12-year-old Selle Français gelding, owned by Greenley Achuck, Felix continued, “I don’t know the horse well. He’s never done the equitation before, so these are his first two weeks in the equitation.”
Felix’s ability to quickly adapt to different horses served him well as he headed into the next portion of the class: the bracket phase. For this final phase, the top four riders all compete aboard horses other than their own, with the current front-runner going up against the current fourth place and second place also facing off.
AJ Felix and Early Moon Du Favril. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
In the first bracket, Felix and Brooke O’Malley went up against one another, both aboard Pennywise, ridden in the first round by Georgia Bass. A score of 80 from Felix bested O’Malley’s score of 76 and helped the Woodland, California-native advance to the final bracket. Competing out of the second bracket, Bass and Naomi Ries faced off aboard Jelly Roll, ridden in the first round by eventual fifth-place finisher Francesca Solaka. With a score of 85, Ries narrowly edged out Bass’s score of 84 to advance to ride against Felix.
“I loved the ride off,” said Felix. “That was one of my favorite parts. I think it really, really tests everyone, and it really goes to show how different everyone’s horse is. The first horse I sat on was the polar opposite ride of my own horse. It was really tricky, and it took a lot of getting used to, especially in such a short amount of time. It really showcases everyone’s ability to adapt very quickly and use that last-minute thinking.”
Naomi Ries finished in second place. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Felix’s last-minute thinking helped him earn a score of 88 aboard S&L Playtime. That score would best Reis’s score of 82, giving Felix the win and Reis the second-place honor. Bass took home third, and O’Malley finished in fourth place.
“I am so beyond thankful to Stacy and Greenley Achuck, the owners of this amazing horse,” concluded Felix. “I’m so grateful for the ride. They have blessed me with this amazing opportunity, and I wouldn’t be here without them and Chelsea and Jenn, and honestly, just such a great team behind me. It’s just so nice to have such an amazing team.”
For complete results of the 2026 USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West, click here, and to learn more about all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.