Anson Aces the Equitation at the 2026 Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships
Las Vegas, Nev.—Nov. 13, 2026—The Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships, hosted by Desert International Horse Park from November 9-15, continued on Thursday with national titles awarded across Equitation and Jumper divisions. Dane Anson led the day's top performances, earning Overall Leading Equitation Rider honors after capturing the USHJA Equitation 15-17 Championship. Alessandra Smit also reached the top of the podium, claiming the USEF/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper National Championship, and Lauren Piombo took the $25,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby aboard Messenger Blue. Additional champions were also crowned in the Affiliate Equitation and Open Jumper divisions.
Overall Leading Equitation Rider
Returning to the Equitation at the National Championships in a new age group, Dane Anson, of Nanaimo, British Columbia, made an impressive mark in the 15-17 section, capturing the USHJA Equitation 15-17 Championship title aboard his own Celestino. The Canadian topped the Flat and one Over Fences class, while also earning second in another Over Fences class. For his efforts, Anson was named the Overall Leading Equitation Rider and presented with the Overall Top Equitation Rider Perpetual Trophy, donated by Showplace Productions and Patrick and Nicole Boyle.
“I'm really excited about that,” Anson said of his win. “This is the perfect way to end the long eight weeks of indoors, and I couldn't ask for more.”
Riding with Catherine Cruger, of Hobe Sound, Florida, Anson entered the competition following a successful 2025 season, during which the pair won the USHJA Gladstone Equitation Cup Classic – West and earned reserve champion honors in the USHJA Equitation 14 and Under Championship in Las Vegas. This year's championship marked yet another milestone in Anson's partnership with Celestino, affectionately known as “Tino” in the barn. Now 8 years old, Celestino has been Anson's partner for nearly two years, during which the pair have developed together through many of Anson's first major Equitation accomplishments.
“I basically started the Equitation on him, so all my first Equitation achievements and accomplishments so far have been with him, and it's also been his first time doing all that,” Anson said. “It's been a special two years together. I'm very proud of all the hard work we've put in with him, how much he's excelled, and how far he's come.”
“I've ridden a lot of different types of horses, and I think I've gotten pretty good at adapting to whatever horse I'm on and making sure that I can give them a confident and correct ride,” Anson continued of his success. “No matter what horse I'm on, I have the background and the skill set to produce good rounds that are great for the horse, and I think that's what makes me a good Equitation rider.”
$25,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby
The second National Hunter Derby of the week welcomed 46 Junior and Amateur competitors to the South Point Arena, where riders contested a Hunt and Go course designed by Skip Bailey and judged by Sue Ashe and Chance Arakelian. Setting the pace as the first to compete, Laurel Piombo, of San Anselmo, California, in Zone 10, delivered a winning performance aboard Messenger Blue, owned by Nicasio Valley Barn LLC. Earning a score of 174, Piombo collected the tricolor and was named the Leading Amateur National Hunter Derby Rider.
“I liked going first. I think it took a little bit pressure off in a way, and then I could just go in and ride my own ride. Leading the way can definitely be a little intimidating sometimes, but I just was thinking about as a prep for tomorrow,” said Piombo, who hopes to continue her success in Friday’s West Coast Equestrian Junior/Amateur Medal Final, presented by the California Professional Horsemen’s Association Foundation.
“I think my favorite part was definitely the inside to the hedge, that slice,” she continued of Bailey’s course. “That was really fun and I think it really allowed it for people to show off their horses.”
Stella Saunders, of Corona del Mar, California, in Zone 10, earned reserve champion honors aboard Prost, owned by K & L Phillips, with a score of 171. Saunders was also named the Leading Junior National Hunter Derby Rider.
USEF/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper National Championship
After finishing as the reserve champion in the USEF/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumpers in 2025, Alessandra Smit spent the past year working hard toward the goal of this year earning the top honor. On Thursday, she accomplished that mission, earning the USEF/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper National Championship aboard Famke.
Smit and her mare earned the championship after winning the $1,000 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Speed, finishing second in the $10,000 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Grand Prix, and taking home fifth in the $1,000 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Welcome.
“It means so much [to win this championship], especially this year,” said Smit, who hails from Reno, Nevada, in Zone 10. “We’ve been putting in a lot of work at home. [Famke] is jumping better than ever. We’ve been kind of chasing this for a while now, and I’m just really grateful that the work is paying off.”
Smit continued, “I would say my favorite part [of the USHJA National Championships] is probably just seeing everyone take pieces from the season and being really competitive and showing their best selves and their horses and just ending the season on a high note.”
As Smit’s trainer, Elizabeth Reader was presented with the Leading 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Trainer award. The reserve championship went to Paris Mahoney, of Watsonville, California, in Zone 10, after she rode Tangelo to the win in the $10,000 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Grand Prix.
USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 and Over 2' Championship
Earning the first Affiliate tricolor of the week was Sarah Lafayette, of Incline Village, Nevada, a nominee of the Sierra Nevada Horse Show Association. Aboard Millennium Farm LLC’s First Look, the Zone 10 rider topped two Over Fences classes to collect the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 and Over 2' Championship title.
“This is a little shocking! It’s my second horse show on him, so I didn’t expect anything. I just came to have fun,” said Lafayette. “My nephew rides him, and I am just riding him this week. He’s leased for the family, so we ride together.”
Taking reserve was the Washington State Hunter Jumper Association’s India Shockey, of Bellingham, Washington, in Zone 9, on her own Santé.
The day’s additional award winners include:
USEF/USHJA 1.20m Open Jumper National Championship and Leading 1.20m Open Jumper Owner
Beda Wachter and her own WH Chicscarina
USEF/USHJA 1.30m Open Jumper National Championship and Leading 1.30m Open Jumper Owner
Zacko Hardin and Izzi Top De La Noue AA, owned by Alora Sporthorses LLC
USHJA Equitation 14 and Under Championship and Equitation 14 and Under Leading Rider Perpetual Trophy, donated by Showplace Productions and Patrick and Nicole Boyle
Maggie Li and Bassano, owned by Jenna Edgar
USHJA Equitation 15-17 Championship and Equitation 15-17 Leading Rider Perpetual Trophy, donated by Showplace Productions and Patrick and Nicole Boyle
Dane Anson and his own Celestino
USHJA Equitation 18 and Over Championship and Equitation 18 and Over Leading Rider
Jaime Krupnick and her own Troubador
USHJA Affiliate Equitation 17 and Under 2' Championship
Kinley Hollway Keim and Sugarbrook Georgia Peach, owned by Lynne Maclean and nominated by Sierra Nevada Horse Show Association
USHJA Affiliate Equitation 17 and Under 2'6" Championship
Emma Driscoll and Caravaggio 12, owned by Tierney Smith and nominated by Los Angeles Hunter Jumper Association
USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 and Over 2'6" Championship
Alexa Woods and Jimminey DG, owned by Alyssa Wichman and nominated by Sierra Nevada Horse Show Association
The USHJA thanks the Desert International Horse Park team for hosting the Championships and longtime Title Sponsor Marshall+Sterling. Special thanks also go to Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti, Stridefull, and Exhibitor’s; and Championship Sponsors Essex Classics, Human Touch, Prize Possessions, RingSide Pro, SmartEquine, GumBits, and the US Equestrian.
Live streaming coverage of all classes is available on USEF Network, and complete results are available here.
For more information about the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships, visit ushja.org/NationalChampionships
Press Release: Desert International Horse Park and USHJA
Photos: Andrew Ryback Photography, Desert International Horse Park, Terisé Cole/USHJA
