Another Round of Champions Crowned at 2021 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championships

Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 16, 2021—Twelve new champions were honored as the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championships expanded from five to six competitions in 2021. Tricolors were awarded in the 3’0”/3’3” and 3’6”/3’9” sections at championships held across the country from the East to the Southwest.

The North Central and Southwest Championships kicked off the regional competition on June 16-20 at Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic II in Lexington, Kentucky, and Blenheim June Classic II in San Juan Capistrano, California.

At the North Central Championship, Kelley Farmer, of Wellington, Florida, and Larry Glefke and Fairfield Lane’s Knowingly took the top prize in the 3’0”/3’3” section. Erica Quinn, of Wellington, Florida, and Glefke and Andrea Sandman’s Intangible took reserve. In the 3’6”/3’9” section, Chris Payne, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Still Water Farm LLC’s Gratitude were crowned champions, while Greg Crolick, of Clarkston, Michigan, and Jon Cotton’s Testify took reserve.

At the Southwest Championship, Leslie Steele of Calabasas, California, and Guess Who, owned by Irine Neuwirthm were named champions in the 3’0”/3’3” section. Joie Gatlin, of San Juan Capistrano, California, and Clover Lane Farm LLC’s Educated Guess took reserve. Victoria Lacagnina, of Santa Rosa, California, rode her own Positano to the tricolor in the 3’6”/3’9” section. Jamie Taylor, of Tarzana, California, and Ecole Lathrop’s Starburst took reserve.

The North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association Annual Horse Show hosted the South Championship, June 30-July 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The 3’0”/3’3” section saw Sarah Tyndall, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Karen Robinson Dickman’s First and Goal won the title. Taylor Shearin, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Mary Shearin’s Lemieux took reserve. In the 3’6”/3’9” section, Chris Wynne, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Terrie McLeskey’s Landon took the top prize, and Erin Dombroski, of Grimesland, North Carolina, and Diane Semer’s Spider Too took reserve.

The East Championship took place at the Brandywine Summer Series II, July 6-11, in Devon, Pennsylvania. Patricia Griffith of Wellington, Florida, and Lexi Maounis’ Cesandro were named champions in the 3’0”/3’3” section. Michael Britt-Leon, of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Kelly Sims’ Power Play took reserve. John French, of Wellington, Florida, took the top two spots in the 3’6”/3’9” section aboard Ashland Farms' Cassario 8 and Kent Farrington LLC/Marnell Sport Horses’ Babylon.

The Oregon High Desert Classic 2 hosted the Northwest Championship, July 28-August 1 in Bend, Oregon. Nicole Stern, of Redmond, Washington, and her own Delegate took the top honors in the 3’0”/3’3” section. Nicole Dicorti Bush, of Soquel, California, and Imperial, owned by Taryn Jane, took reserve. In the 3’6”/3’9” section, Dezraye Choi, of Pacifica, California, and Eavan Bronfman’s Quax took the win. Reserve went to Sara Petersen, of Kingston, Washington, and Lily Swift’s Galileo.

The championships wrapped up with the South Central Championship at Harvest on November 3-7 in Katy, Texas. Bill McMorris of Del Valle, Texas, and Nourah Caskey’s Cassio were named champions in the 3’0”/3’3” section. Jef Lauwers, of Magnolia, Texas, and Jana Rodes’ Hands Up took reserve. Nada Wise, of Hempstead, Texas, and Samantha Brown’s Stevie Ray took top place in the 3’6”/3’9” section. Julie Cleveland Beam, of Argyle, Texas, and Meghan Looney’s CR Cresus Es took reserve.

Each year, USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Program participants can choose from six regional championships held across the country to compete in and vie for a regional title.

In 2022, horses may compete in a maximum of two Regional Championships with six championships to choose from:

• East Championship - Brandywine Summer Series in Devon, Pennsylvania, June 29- July 3, 2022
• South Championship - NCHJAAnnual Horse Show in Raeford, North Carolina, June 29-July 3, 2022
• North Central Championship - Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic I in Lexington, Kentucky, June 8-12, 2022
• South Central Championship - Harvest in Katy, Texas, November 2-6, 2022
• Southwest Championship - Blenheim June Classic II in San Juan Capistrano, California, June 15-19, 2022
• Northwest Championship - Oregon Summer in Bend, Oregon, August 24-28, 2022

The USHJA would like to extend a special thanks to Regional Championship hosts Split Rock Jumping Tour and Derek Braun; Blenheim Equisports and Alexandra Zulia; North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association and Patrick Rodes; Summer Series LLC and Paul Jewell; J BAR J BOYS RANCH and Jewell; and Southbound Show Management and Rodes.

The USHJA would also like to thank Title Sponsor Platinum Performance; Official Sponsors CWD, Parlanti, Nutrena, and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy.

Learn more about the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championships at ushja.org/GHIRC.

Photos: Anne Gittins Photography, Grand Pix Photography and McCool Photography