THERMAL, Calif. – In 2024, Violet Tatum made the top 10 of the USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West, but a minor error in the flat phase kept her from of advancing to the top four and the bracket phase. After that, Tatum made improving her results in the class a goal, and on Sunday, November 9, at Desert International Horse Park, she did just that.
The 17-year-old from Pacific Palisades, Calif., topped a 46-rider field to be crowned the 2025 USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West champion.
“It feels really good to win this Medal; it’s been a goal of mine since last year,” said Tatum, who rode Kruz, owned by Bridgeport Farms LLC, to the win.
Violet Tatum and Kruz. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
The USEF/NCEA Medal Final is unique in that it is based on the format utilized in National Collegiate Equestrian Association varsity competition and challenges riders to demonstrate their skills over a 3’3” equitation course and through a flat phase. Following these first two phases, the top four are brought back for the bracket phase in which they switch horses to determine final placings.
At the end of Saturday morning’s opening jumping round, judges John French and Steven Rivetts had put Tatum into the top spot with a score of 90.
Violet Tatum and Kruz. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I was really happy with my first round, and then the flat, I was a little more nervous because it’s not my strong suit,” said Tatum. “The flat ended up going pretty well, and I ended up making the top four which was nice.”
Joining Tatum in the bracket phase were Kathryn Padilla, Olivia Aul and Adelaide Ellis. Padilla and Ellis each took their turn on Tatum’s mount, Kruz, while Tatum and Aul were mounted on Ellis’ horse, Linford 9. From there, it was Tatum and Ellis who advanced for one final face-off course, both aboard Aul’s mount Copyright.
Second place went to Adelaide Ellis. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“The bracket phase was nice because you both ride the same horse that you’ve never ridden before, rather than switching on to each other’s [horses] which kind of gave a newer feel to the switches I’ve done before,” said Tatum. “I thought it was really good and fair.”
The other thing that was really good was Tatum’s final performance on Copyright, as it ultimately clinched her the win. Second place went to Ellis, and Aul rounded out the top three.
“I’ve seen Linford 9 around, but [Copyright] was a little newer to me,” said Taturm. “They were both very, very nice. The people who rode the horses and the trainers gave me kind of a summary on the horses, but I really didn’t want to overthink it and just did what I felt.”
Olivia Aul took home third place. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
While the NCEA-style format is unique for the horse shows that Tatum frequents now, in two years, it will become commonplace for her has she has committed to Auburn University’s NCEA team beginning in 2027.
“I’m looking forward to being able to get the experience of riding new horses and getting better as a rider,” concluded Tatum. “It’ll be really fun to be able to have teammates and be able to cheer your teammates on.”
To see full results of the USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West, held during National Sunshine Series 2, click here. To learn more about all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit DesertHorsePark.com.