Las Vegas, NV – November 13, 2024 – For the second year in a row, the Marshall + Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships’ Grand Champion Green Hunter title is going home with Dustin Goodwin.
On Wednesday, November 13, at the Las Vegas National Horse Show in Las Vegas, NV, Goodwin piloted Reputation to the USHJA 3’6”/3’9” Green Hunter Championship before also being presented with the grand championship award. In addition, Goodwin and Reputation, owned by Kalli Heffner Gay, earned wins in both the $2,500 3’6”/3’9” Green Hunter Classic and the $1,000 3’6”/3’9” Green Hunter Incentive Stake Class, as well as the High Score Green Hunter honor with a score of 90.
Dustin Goodwin and Reputation. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
“I’m very, very lucky!” said Goodwin, who hails from Seattle, WA. “Last year, we won all these same awards with my horse Out of the Blue who is another really, really wonderful horse. It feels pretty crazy and surreal to come back and do that again with [Reputation]. It’s honestly not surprising. When I don’t have good results with this horse, I know that it was my fault. She is just such beautiful quality, and she’s always right there. It’s more like, ‘I hope I don’t let her down.’”
Goodwin certainly did not let the 10-year-old Holsteiner mare down this week at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center, as the pair swept all of their division’s over fences classes.
Dustin Goodwin and Reputation. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
“She has her quirks; she’s not the easiest animal in the world, but she is just a perfect match for me,” said Goodwin of the mare that they imported to the U.S. in December of 2023. “She hasn’t even been here for a year yet. She was a grand prix horse in Europe. She’d usually have a couple rails, which is lucky for me! She is a horse of a lifetime. I love her so much. She’s super brave. She just needs someone to kind of hold her hand, and I’m happy to do that. I’m obsessed.”
Reserve champion honors in the 3’6”/3’9” Green Hunters went to Michael Dennehy of Littleton, CO, riding Major Contention, owned by Sylvie Haas.
USHJA 3’3″ Green Hunter Championship
The USHJA 3’3″ Green Hunter Championship and the Puissance R’ Trophy, donated by Steve and Lisa Hankin, went to Save the Date, owned by Meredith Pleasant and ridden by Joie Gatlin. The pair earned two wins over fences on their way to the division tricolor.
Joie Gatlin and Save the Date. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
“I’ve been catch riding [Save the Date] for Kerron and his owner, Meredith Pleasant,” said Gatlin of the 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding that Pleasant also competes in the 3’3” Amateur-Owner Hunters. “We are just a new partnership; this is my second week showing him. He’s a lovely animal. He’s like a big, squishy teddy bear. He’s so comfortable to ride and has a huge stride. Shelly Kerron and I go way back to the days of Richard Keller, so it’s fun to catch ride for her.”
Lindsay Stefanko, of Venice, CA, collected the division reserve championship, as well as blue ribbons in both the $2,500 Green Hunter 3’/3’3″ Classic and the $1,000 Green Hunter Incentive 3’/3’3″ Stake Class, with Chimansky 3, owned by Lily Stewart.
Joie Gatlin and Save the Date. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
USHJA 3′ Green Hunter Championship
In the USHJA 3’ Green Hunters, the championship and the Green Hunter 3′ Division Perpetual Trophy, donated by Tapestry Farm and The Struve Family, went to Julia Rossow and What’s Up, owned by Eve Aron.
“This week was my second time ever riding him, and he is just wonderful,” said Rossow of the 9-year-old Warmblood gelding. “His trainers, Joe Thorpe and Tyler Thomas, and his owner, Eve Aron, they approached me and asked, ‘We have a new horse. He’s kind of little, and we think he’d be a really good match with you. Why don’t you come out and ride him and see?’”
Julia Rossow and What’s Up. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Rossow tried What’s Up and was immediately impressed, so when the opportunity was presented to compete the gelding at the Las Vegas National, Rossow jumped at the chance.
“He has a great brain,” said Rossow. “He goes with the flow, and he’s confident and comfortable in all surroundings and environments. He just likes to go out and do his job. He’s still young, but mentally he’s definitely an old soul. He exceeded any expectation I had for this week.”
Taking home the reserve championship in the USHJA 3’ Green Hunters were Jamie Sailor and Heritage, owned by Lisa Bolle.
Julia Rossow and What’s Up. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Competition at the Las Vegas National Horse Show, host to the Marshall + Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships, continues through Sunday, November 17. To learn more, visit deserthorsepark.com.