Amateurs Take Center Stage at Inaugural USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships - East

Lexington, Ky.—Sept. 22, 2025—The inaugural USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships - East debuted September 20–21 at the Split Rock Kentucky National in Lexington, Kentucky, marking the first of this new national final for Amateur Hunter riders. The Championships featured four divisions—Low Adult Amateur 2'6", Adult Amateur 3', Amateur Owner 3'3", and Amateur Owner 3'3"—crowning a champion in each as well as recognizing the highest-scoring riders in each age group.

Held as part of the USHJA’s Amateur Festival, the event ran alongside the USHJA 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final and the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs, creating an exciting weekend of top-level competition for Amateur riders.

Low Adult Amateur Hunter 2’6”​ Championship

The Low Adult Amateur Hunter 2’6” Championship brought a competitive field of 84 exhibitors to the ring, each vying for age group titles and overall honors. With strong performances across three rounds, Ashley Eatmon of Greenville, North Carolina, emerged at the top. Piloting her own Debonair, Eatmon posted a final three-round score of 86.015 to capture the coveted Overall Championship. The pair also collected the 18-35 Champion section title, along with the blue ribbon in the Hunter Round after posting the highest score of the day, an 87.475.

"I’m speechless, really. I just couldn’t thank my horse enough, along with my trainers and the whole team of people behind me,” said Eatmon upon her win. “Going from the top of my section to winning overall out of all these entries, it's like a dream.”

Overall Reserve honors went to the 36-49 Champions, Shannon Frances Santos, of Double Oak, Texas, and her own MTM Perfect Fit with a score of 84.75. Claiming the 50+ Champion tricolor and fourth overall was Mary Beth Canfield, of Chicago, Illinois, with Laura Scanlon's Stylized on a score of 84.25.

"This is a big week for Amateurs. It's super exciting. I think everyone I talked to loved being here and loved the event. It's just been really fun! This is all so special," added Canfield.

Adult Amateur Hunter 3’​ Championship

The Adult Amateur Hunter 3’ Championship saw Lauren Reid catch ride Deja Blue for Isabella Fioretti and rise to the top out of 101 combinations with a score of 86.285. Reid, of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, also secured the 18–35 section title, and the Hunter Round with a strong score of 88.75.

"I am so happy and grateful to have won this championship today," Reid said. "It was my first real course on him, as I just got to know him yesterday. I wanted to give him a confident ride and be bold where I could. I’m catch riding him, and I’m incredibly thankful to Isabella Fioretti and Michael Britt-Leon's team for letting me have this opportunity."

The Overall Reserve went to Kayla Jacobs, of Savannah, Georgia, who piloted Ansley Beman's Cumberland to a score of 85.653. Laura G. Bartee, of Warrenton, Virginia, captured the 36-49 section with her own Ris K, earning a score of 80.025, while Susan J. Myers, of Nashville, Tennessee, rode her own Quite Fair to the 50+ title on a score of 84.835.

"I think this championship is great for Amateurs," Reid continued. "It creates a big championship atmosphere that everyone deserves to be a part of, and it really sets us up well for the upcoming indoor season."

Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3”​ Championship

The Amateur Owner Hunter 3’3” Championship and its 18-35 title went to Elle Gibbs, of Charlotte, North Carolina, who rode her own Soirée to a clean sweep of the division out of 61 combinations. The pair earned top scores across all three phases, posting an 88.55 in the Under Saddle, an 86.533 in the Hunter Round, and an 86.35 in the Handy Round, for an overall total of 86.863.

"I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to show against so many great riders and horses this weekend," expressed Gibbs. "A year ago, I was praying for a second chance at riding, and to now be surrounded by such an incredible team and to have won this championship is nothing short of a blessing. I cannot thank Liz Reilly, Erica Quinn, and the whole Makoto Farm team enough for all their support."

Taking the Overall Reserve Championship, as well as the 36+ section title, was Kathi-Jo Haselsberger of Farmington, New York, aboard her own Beautify SV, finishing on an overall score of 86.863.

"Soirée is such a joyful horse who shows up to the ring ready to take on any challenge, and I’m so proud of how far he’s come as a Hunter," she continued. "This new championship is also such a wonderful way to highlight the many talented Amateurs in our sport who deserve to be showcased on a bigger stage."

Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6”​ Championship

The Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6” Championship saw Augusta Iwasaki pilot her own Small Love to the top of a field of 25 on a three-round score of 87.42. The Morriston, Florida, rider swept the over fences phases to secure both the Overall Championship and the 18-35 title, starting with an 88.4 in the Hunter Round and following it with an 88.267 in the Handy Round.

"Winning this is really special. I got [Small Love] a little bit before I aged out as a Junior, and she's just been such an awesome Amateur horse for me," said Iwasaki of her mount. "I'm going into my last year of college, so it's just really special to get to do all of these different milestones with her."

The Overall Reserve Championship was presented to Mark Dorfman, of Atlanta, Georgia, aboard Can't Touch This HS, whose consistent rides earned them a score of 83.93 and the 36+​ Champion title.

The new USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships give Amateur Hunter riders a national final across four divisions: 2’6” Low Adult Amateur, 3’ Adult Amateur, 3’3” Amateur Owner, and 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunters. Each Championship features three phases: Under Saddle, a First Hunter Round, and either a Classic Round or Handy Round, depending on the height. Riders qualify by earning champion or reserve at a USEF-licensed Channel I or Channel II competition, or if their horse ranks in the top 10 of their Zone Horse of the Year standings. 

The West Championship will take place during the National Sunshine Series I at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, October 29-November 2.

The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Split Rock Jumping Tour team for hosting the Championships; to Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and Award Sponsor Essex Classics.

For more information about the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships, visit ushja.org/AmateurChampionships .

Photos: Winslow Photography, Terisé Cole/USHJA