Amanda Gomez and Charly-Ann, owned by Rising Star Equestrian, earned their second win of the week at the Marshall+Sterling USHJA National Championships on Thursday, November 13. At the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, Gomez and Charly-Ann laid down a near foot-perfect round to win the $20,000 1.30m Grand Prix with 33.366 seconds on the clock. Earlier this week, the pair also took home the blue ribbon in the $5,000 1.40m Welcome.
“[I am] super excited about the placement here, today, in the 1.30m before the grand prix tomorrow,” Gomez said of her result with the Holsteiner mare. “My ultimate goal coming here, of course, is to win the [$50,000 Grand Prix], but having this class today, it’s a nice 1.30m for her before Friday.”
Amanda Gomez and Charly-Ann. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Gomez says Charly-Ann thrives in indoor competitions. If this week is anything to go by, that is certainly true. The 14-year-old mare has absolutely shone in the South Point Arena this week.
“She felt amazing,” Gomez said. “She jumps great indoors, so we’re just happy to be here, and I think she’s shown that she’s happy to be here as well.”
The show jumping track for the 1.30m Grand Prix was designed by Anderson Lima, a well-known course designer who may be best known for his work at multiple FEI World Cup Finals, including in Las Vegas.
Amanda Gomez and Charly-Ann. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
“I thought the course was really, really pleasant today. Anderson always does a beautiful job designing, so when I saw him here, I was really excited,” Gomez said. “Sometimes this indoor can be a bit tricky. He’s really fair to the horses but also technical enough. I was really, really thrilled with the course. I thought it fit my horses very well. Throughout the week of jumping here, the horses have only gotten better and better and better, and that’s the telltale sign of a good course.”
Finishing in second place in the $20,000 1.30m Grand Prix were Michelle Parker and Vivalunaika Blue, and Kylie Clarkson and Gylord Carthago BH rounded out the top three.
Second place went to Michelle Parker and Vivalunaika Blue. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
The 1.30m Open Jumper Champion was also crowned after the conclusion of the 1.30m Grand Prix. While Gomez and Charly-Ann took home a reserve champion ribbon, Lununa received the title of champion with Alexandra Pielet in the irons. Pielet and Lununa, owned by Co-Pielet, LLC, won the $1,000 1.30m Speed class and came in second in the $1,000 1.30m Welcome.
Next, the top show jumpers in Las Vegas will turn their attention to Saturday’s $50,000 1.40m Grand Prix. The entry list is filled with stiff competition, including Gomez herself, as well as Jamie Sailor and Elizabeth “Lumpy” Kilham’s Magic Mike, who won the $5,000 1.40m Speed Class Wednesday evening.
Alexandra Pielet and Lununa. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
For the full results of the $20,000 1.30 Grand Prix, click here.
Live streaming coverage of all 2025 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championship classes is available on USEF Network, and complete results and schedules are available on ShowGroundsLive.
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.