Anson Victorious in USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - West, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University

Del Mar, Calif.—July 25, 2025—After three rounds of competition at HITS Del Mar Horsepark on Friday, July 25, Dane Anson claimed the 2025 USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - West, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University, aboard Celestino. Taking reserve honors was Olivia Aul riding Iggy Pop, and rounding out the top three was Laura Jun on Casalito 4.

"Our partnership started in the Desert Circuit this year, I rode Celestino as a catch ride," Anson said of his horse. "We liked him so much, so then we bought him. He's fairly new to equitation, so we just wanted to have some good rides today. Last week was his first medal final, and he won round two of the CPHA Foundation 14 and Under Finals. That was really exciting, and then today we won the Gladstone!"

Drawing 27 athletes from across the West Coast, the Classic Hunter Round, artfully crafted by course designer Scott Starnes and adjudicated by Connie Hunt and Susan Ashe, set the tone for a Friday of elite equitation. Leading the pack early was Anson of Nanaimo, British Columbia, who delivered a commanding round that earned an untouchable score of 90. Close behind with a score of 88 was Laurel Piombo aboard R.K. Vincent Santa Monica, owned by Nicasio Valley Barn, LLC, and representing Nicasio, California. Securing third place after the Classic Round on an 87 was Aul, of Woodinville, Washington, riding her own Iggy Pop.

"I really liked the course, we were able to show off our strengths," Anson, who rides with trainers Karli Postel and Archie Cox reflected. "I liked the inside turns in the Handy Round because my horse is pretty good at them, and the course helped him land all his leads, so I didn't need to do any lead changes."

With an eight-point spread separating the top contenders, the top 12 riders returned for the Handy Round in reverse order of their standings, setting the stage for an exciting shake-up. Georgia Bass, of Sherman Oaks, California, delivered a strong Handy Round performance, scoring an 87 aboard her own Vivant, moving her into third place on a competitive two-round score of 171.5. Climbing to second place was Aul, who impressed the judges with an 85, bringing her overall score to 172. Holding steady at the top was Anson, whose consistent performance earned an 84 in the Handy Round and a final two-round score of 174 secured the lead heading into the horse swap.

"It was my first time switching horses in a work off, and I was really excited, but a bit nervous because I didn't want to mess up on someone else's horse," Anson said. "But it went really good. I was lucky to switch on Iggy Pop, which is a really good horse, and it all worked out well."

As the competition moved into its final round, the top six riders were tasked with swapping horses and jumping a shortened course. First to go was Piombo, sitting in sixth place, who rode in on Golden Hour Z, owned and ridden by Gabriella Anzelc, from Shingle Springs, California. The horse swap not only changed their mounts but also the rankings, with Piombo finishing in fifth while Anzelc dropped to sixth overall. Next, Jun took to the course aboard Vivant, while Bass rode Jun's Casalito 4. In this swap, Jun moved into third overall, with Bass following closely behind in fourth. The final pairings saw Aul and Anson switch horses, but despite the change, they held onto their respective positions, with Aul securing the reserve title and Anson finishing on top.

The Best Equitation Horse was awarded to Quathageno, ridden by Ella Dalton and owned by Dalton Equestrian, LLC.

The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University, is a three-round class that combines the precision of equitation and handiness of hunters over a course set at 3'6". Held during the East and West Coast Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter National Championships, the Gladstone Cup is open to any rider who is an Active USHJA junior member at the time of the competition and has won a USEF Hunter Seat Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, either phase of WIHS Equitation Classic at a National or Premier show, or Overall WIHS Equitation Classic during the qualifying year.

The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire HITS team for hosting the Classic. The USHJA also thanks Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and Parlanti; Presenting Sponsor Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University; and Supporting Sponsor Essex Classics.

For more information about the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University, visit ushja.org/Gladstone.

USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - West, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University Results

Rider | Horse | Trainer | Owner

Round 1 | Round 2 | Two-Round Score*
*The Final Round was not scored.

Photos: High Desert Sport Photo