Thermal, Calif. – November 1, 2026 – Robyn Burton of Nicasio, California, closed out the West Coast USHJA Amateur Festival with a win in the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs – West on Sunday, November 1, at Desert International Horse Park.
Judges Cynthia Hankins and Jessie Lang saw 36 entries take on the first-round, hunter-style course designed by Kevin Holowack. From there, the field for the prestigious class – held as part of National Sunshine Series 1, presented by Kubota – was narrowed to the top 20 to return for a second handy hunter round.
Robyn Burton and Noaber van de Wolfsslenke. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
At the end of the first round, Burton and her winning mount, Noaber van de Wolfsslenke, sat in second place with a score of 85, hot on the heels of first-round leader Claire Archer who had earned an 85.5. A handy score of 86 then quickly shot Burton to the top of the leaderboard. However, with the top five riders all remaining in close contention, Burton’s win was not sewn up quite yet.
The judges asked each of the top five to return for further testing over a shortened course, and Burton again delivered, ultimately confirming her spot as the winner. Second place went to Alicyn Roy of Altadena, California, on Portobello, and Victoria Southwick of Pasadena, California rounded out the top three with her own Luciano. Madeline O’Grady of Los Gatos, California, rode Mondiaal to fourth place, and Archer of Atherton, California, held on to fifth place with Fanta Light B. The Best Equitation Horse title went to Samba K, owned by Kassy Perry and ridden to seventh place on Sunday by Kaitlin Perry.
Robyn Burton and Noaber van de Wolfsslenke were presented as the winners of the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs – West. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I like the format of the first-round hunter round and the second round handy,” said Burton. “There were quite a few places to be handy, so that was fun to go inside, make some inside turns and the hand gallop. [Noaber van de Wolfsslenke] really just felt like he was right there with me.”
Noaber van de Wolfsslenke, or “Slinky” as he is known in the barn, remained right with Burton through the final test in the Grand Eq Arena.
Second place went to Alicyn Roy. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I have been working on learning the numbers, and I was super confident that after they read [ the test] the second time, I knew for sure where I was going to go,” said Burton, who trains with Heather Roades and Kylee Arbuckle. “The test was hard. The counter-canter turns were tight, so it was definitely a good test. I thought that my horse just handled it beautifully. It was really, really fun. To feel him think out there and really be with me and follow me is really rewarding.”The 8-year-old Warmblood gelding was just imported to the U.S. in June, and in the short time since then, the Gladstone Cup already marks Burton and Slinky’s second major equitation win together, as they also topped Marshall+Sterling/USHJA Adult 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final – West earlier this fall.
“He’s a love,” said Burton of Slinky. “The grooms love him, and he’s just so honest and ready to learn. I trust him 100 percent. ‘Slinky’ is very fitting. Slinkies are fun, and he just makes people happy. He’s always got a smile on his face, and his ears are forward. He is really a beautiful soul.”
All of the top three were recognized for competing out of the 36 and over age group. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
With a big win at National Sunshine Series 1 under her belt, Burton will now set her sights on National Sunshine Series 2’s CPHA Style of Riding Championship – South.
The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs is a three-round class that combines the precision of equitation and the handiness of hunters over a course set at 3’. The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs is open to any amateur rider who has placed first, second or third in adult equitation classes at 2’9” or higher, or 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal class, Taylor Harris Insurance Adult Medal class and Ariat National Adult Medal class at a competition with a start date of June 1 and an end date 45 days prior to the Championship date. Riders must be an active USHJA Amateur member at the time of competition in order to compete.For more information about the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs visit ushja.org/Gladstone.
For full results of Sunday’s class, click here, and to learn more about all competition at Desert International Horse Park, head to deserthorsepark.com.