LAS VEGAS — For Savannah Strebinger, the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships were a week of final chances. At 18-years-old, the event at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa was the last competition of her last season as a junior rider. On the final day of the championships, Strebinger laid all her cards on the table to win the IHSA/USHJA 3’3″ Hunter Seat Medal Final – West riding her own Gladstone.
“I’m a little bit in shock, but I’m so, so happy,” said Strebinger. “I don’t think there is a better way to end my junior years than with a win.”
The Finals featured two technical rounds, with only the top 19 riders from the original field of 39 advancing to Round Two. After the first round, Strebinger, of North Vancouver, British Columbia, sat seventh on a score of 80. She returned determined in Round Two, earning an 84 for a combined score of 164—good enough to move her into third and secure a callback for the final work-off.
Savannah Strebinger and Gladstone. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Joining her in the work-off was Violet Rheingold, of Boulder, Colo., aboard her own Cornetaro, who led on a score of 167.25; and Olivia Whiting, of Scotts Valley, Calif., riding her own Diamant De Cassini with a score of 165.
From there, judges Alan Lohman and Richard Slocum put the top three to the test on a shortened, highly technical course. Riders were asked to quickly memorize the track, which included a trot jump followed by a halt, as well as two lead changes on the judges’ quarter line.
When the dust settled, Strebinger emerged as the champion, with Whiting earning reserve honors, and Rheingold rounding out the top three.
Historically, Strebinger said medal final classes have not always gone her way. November 16 was the day that all changed. In the final round, she was the only rider to demonstrate flying changes instead of simple changes.
Violet Rheingold and Cornetaro. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
“My first round, I was a little bit nervous for the first jump, but after the first three I settled in,” said Strebinger. “I thought everything rode really, really nicely. Then going into the second round, I just wanted to have a nice, solid round to be in the top 12.”
Strebinger went above and beyond her goal of being in the top 12 slots and wound up holding onto third place. The final round of testing placed the riders under intense pressure. With only three riders in the ring, each of whom were fighting for the top spot, the atmosphere in the South Point Arena ramped up. Each horse and rider fell under the microscope with little to no time to prepare. This type of on-the-spot competition can test the mettle of even the most experienced competitor.
“I just really wanted to have a solid round, and I knew I’d be in the ribbons, which I was already happy with,” Strebinger said. “I just tried to breathe as much as I could, to stay calm for my horse as well, and then just tried to ride the way that my coach was telling me to ride. It ended up awesome!”
Strebinger’s bay gelding shone underneath the lights in the South Point Arena, as they floated through the courses, designed by Archer Bailey. A 14-year-old KWPN gelding, Gladstone is an experienced partner who has excelled with Strebinger in the saddle for the last three years. Prior to their partnership, the bay gelding spent most of his time in the show jumping ring and was only introduced to the equitation when Strebinger stepped into the irons.
“He’s just the best horse to be around,” she said. “He’s so kind, and he just wants to please you all the time. He’s not the easiest ride, but when you ride him correctly, he really just gives it his all. He’s such a nice horse to have in the barn. He gets treats before and after his rounds, which I think helps him perform better.”
While this marks the end of Strebinger’s junior career, she has determined this will not be the last she will see of the equitation ring. As a matter of fact, she has already been signed to the Fresno State Equestrian Team.
“I’m hoping to still continue doing the equitation as an amateur, and hopefully next year I’ll be back for WCE Finals. I’m hoping to do [the CPHA] Foundation Finals and all those fun amateur medals,” she added.
2025 marked Strebinger’s second time competing in Las Vegas. The unique venue and location contributed to her decision to choose the show as the endcap to her junior career.
“I just think it’s so fun,” she said. “Staying above your horse and having your horse in the same building is such a special experience. I was not able to go indoors or out east. So, having my own little indoor experience was really, really fun as well. I think Gladstone really, really liked it.”
The IHSA/USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal serves as a stepping stone for equitation riders, providing an opportunity to qualify and compete in a national equitation final at fence heights of 3’3”. The medal is open to junior riders, who have not competed in any of the following national equitation finals with fences at 3’6” within the same competition year, including USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, ASPCA Maclay Finals, USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals (East or West), WIHS Equitation Classic Finals, Jump Canada Medal Finals or the North American Equitation Championship.
To learn more about the IHSA/USHJA 3’3″ Hunter Seat Medal, visit ushja.org/HunterSeatMedal.