Las Vegas, NV – November 14, 2024 – With Paige Walkenbach in the irons, Princeton, or “Prince” as he is known in the barn, could deservedly be crowned king of the $25,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur at the Las Vegas National Horse Show.
On Thursday, November 14, Walkenbach and Princeton rode away with the win in the class – held as part of the Marshall + Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships – for the third year in a row.
Paige Walkenbach and Princeton. Photo by DIHP
“It’s really nice [to win the class again], especially with my horse Princeton because he’s kind of like my steady Eddie,” said Walkenbach, of Paradise Valley, Arizona. “I’ve had him since 2021, so we know each other really well. It’s just always a nice moment with him.”
Walkenbach and the 11-year-old Selle Français gelding were one of 48 entries to take on the one-round, Hunt & Go course at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, NV. Their efforts over both phases of the course earned them scores of 88 and 89 from judges Patricia Griffiths and Stacia Madden, giving them a winning 177 total score.
Paige Walkenbach and Princeton. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Second place with an overall score of 174.25 went to Violet Tatum of Pacific Palisades, CA, and Bel Ragazzo, and Walkenbach also took home third with a score of 174 aboard Walkenbach Equestrian’s Ever So Often.
“I think the course was super fun,” said Walkenbach. “The hunt section had a great flow, allowing riders to showcase brilliance, while also requiring the rider to support their horses jump at the skinnier fence. [In the handy section], it invited lots of options for turns. With Prince and Ever So Often, I opted for the inside turn in between the two skinnies. It worked out really nicely for me, and I took all the other inside turns with that other people did. So, it was great.”
Paige Walkenbach and Princeton. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
For her efforts, Walkenbach earned the Leading Junior National Hunter Derby Rider. The Leading Amateur National Hunter Derby Rider honor went to Jerra Mays, who finished 11th overall in the class aboard Heritage.
For full results of the $25,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur, click here.