Thermal, Calif. – World Championship Hunter Rider competition at Desert Circuit 5, presented by Frank & Eileen, concluded on Sunday, February 8, with the awarding of the week’s final WCHR Grand Championships and High Score Awards.
Throughout the week at Desert International Horse Park, the spotlight was on the hunters, with featured classes including the $25,000 DIHP Under Saddle Championship and the $20,000 Winners Circle Hunter Stake. In addition to special class offerings and the awarding of hunter division championships, a total of 13 WCHR Grand Championships and 11 High Score Awards were presented.
Taking home the overall High Score Professional Division Award – and turning in the highest score of the week – was Simba de Vinck, ridden by Halie Robinson and owned by Big Picture LLC. Robinson and “Simba” kicked off the show by earning a score of 95 in the 3’9” Green Hunters.
“For me, I think [Simba] is my dream ride,” said Robinson of the 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding. “He actually is really, really similar to an old horse of ours, Lifestyle, who was one of my favorite all-time horses. He has so many of the same qualities and more. He’s just, I think, a once-in-a-lifetime horse, and I think he’ll be one of the best hunters of all time. I hope to be able to help him accomplish that.”
Also taking home High Score Awards, generously sponsored by Equitex, were the following:
- Low Children’s Hunters – Aniela Hauser and Cantino 9 with a score of 84
- Low Adult Amateur Hunters – Cori Trudeau and Venco N with a score of 94
- 3’6” Junior Hunters – Slate Mellencamp and Positano with a score of 90
- 3’3” Junior Hunters – Kathryn Padilla and Cassario 8 with a score of 92
- Children’s Hunters – Anika Phillips/Keira Wong and Attractive Blue/Little White Lie with scores of 87
- Children’s Hunter Ponies – Frederika Bolt and Just Heavenly with a score of 83
- Pony Hunters – Kathryn Padilla and Honeymoon King with a score of 86
- Adult Amateur Hunters – Sybil Rose and Cardentos with a score of 88
- 3’3” Amateur Owner Hunters – Paris Theodosakis and A Big Boss with a score of 91
- 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunters – Paige Walkenbach and Babylon with a score of 92
Earning WCHR Grand Champions honors were:
- Low Children’s Hunters – Czech Point, ridden by Mirai Trimmer and owned by EEA Sporthorses Inc.
- Low Adult Amateur Hunters – Venco N, owned and ridden by Cori Trudeau
- 3’6” Junior Hunters – Totally, ridden by Slate Mellencamp and owned by Teddi Mellencamp
- 3’3” Junior Hunters – Cassario 8, ridden by Kathryn Padilla and owned by Zoe Wolf
- Children’s Hunters – Little White Lie, ridden by Keira Wong and owned by Calypso Equestrian
- Children’s Hunter Ponies – Never Mind, ridden by Emory Wuertz and owned by Wright Start Outsourcing LLC
- Pony Hunters – Manhattan, ridden by Violet Dalton and owned by Laurie Jueneman
- Adult Amateur Hunters – Hobbs, owned and ridden by Cathy Morris-Schmitt
- 3’3” Amateur Owner Hunters – A Big Boss, ridden by Paris Theodosakis and owned by Pam Theodosakis
- 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunters – On Point, ridden by Ashley Kaplan and owned by B R Farms LLC
- Green Hunters – Cadiz, ridden by Joie Gatlin and owned by Cathy Morris-Schmitt
- Conformation Hunters – Clear As Day, ridden by Jordan Kilkenny and owned by B R Farms LLC
- Performance Hunters – Jagerbomb, ridden by Karli Postel and owned by Jack Strang
While Sunday, February 8, marked the conclusion of Desert Circuit 5, WCHR competition returns to Desert International Horse Park during Desert Circuit 10, March 10-15, 2026. To learn more about all hunter competition offerings at DIHP, visit deserthorsepark.com/events, and for full results from Desert Circuit 5, click here.