Burton is Best in 2026 USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs - West

Thermal, Calif.—Nov. 2, 2026—Robyn Burton, of Nicasio, California, in Zone 10, closed out the West Coast's USHJA Amateur Festival with a win in the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs - West on Sunday, November 1, at Desert International Horse Park.

Judges Cynthia Hankins and Jessie Lang saw 36 entries take on the first-round's Hunter Style Equitation course designed by Kevin Holowack. From there, the field for the prestigious class—held as part of National Sunshine Series 1—was narrowed to the top 20 to return for a second Handy Hunter Round. 

At the end of first round, Burton and her winning mount, Noaber van de Wolfsslenke, sat in second place with a score of 85, hot on the heels of first-round leader Claire Archer who had earned an 85.5. A Handy score of 86 then quickly shot Burton to the top of the leaderboard. However, with the top five riders all remaining in close contention, Burton’s win was not sewn up quite yet. 

The judges asked each of the top five to return for further testing over a shortened course, and Burton again delivered, ultimately confirming her spot as the winner. Second place went to Alicyn Roy, of Altadena, California, in Zone 10, on her own Portobello, and Victoria Southwick, of Pasadena, California, also in Zone 10, rounded out the top three with her own Luciano. Zone 10's Madeline O’Grady, of Los Gatos, California, rode her own Mondiaal to fourth place, and Archer, also representing Zone 10 from Atherton, California, grabbed fifth place with her own Fanta Light B.  Samba K, ridden by Kaitlin Perry, of Sacramento, California, in Zone 10, and owned by Kassy Perry, earned the Best Equitation Horse honor.

"I like the format of the first-round Hunter Style round and the second round Handy," said Burton. "There were quite a few places to be handy, so that was fun to go inside, make some inside turns, and the hand gallop. [Noaber van de Wolfsslenke] really just felt like he was right there with me." 

Noaber van de Wolfsslenke, or “Slinky” as he is known in the barn, remained right with Burton through the final test in the Grand Eq Arena.

“I have been working on learning the numbers, and I was super confident that after they read [the test] the second time, I knew for sure where I was going to go," said Burton, who trains with Heather Roades and Kylee Arbuckle. “The test was hard. The counter-canter turns were tight, so it was definitely a good test. I thought that my horse just handled it beautifully. It was really, really fun. To feel him think out there and really be with me and follow me is really rewarding.”

The 8-year-old Warmblood gelding was just imported to the U.S. in June, and in the short time since then, the Gladstone Cup already marks Burton and Slinky’s second major Equitation win together, as they also topped Marshall+Sterling/USHJA Adult 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final – West earlier this fall.

“He’s a love,” said Burton of Slinky. “The grooms love him, and he's just so honest and ready to learn. I trust him 100 percent. ‘Slinky’ is very fitting. Slinkies are fun, and he just makes people happy. He's always got a smile on his face and his ears are forward. He is really a beautiful soul."

The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs is a three-round class that combines the precision of Equitation and the handiness of Hunters over a course set at 3’. The Gladstone Cup is open to amateur riders who have placed first, second, or third in Adult Equitation classes at 2’9” or higher, or in the 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal, Taylor Harris Insurance Adult Medal, or Ariat National Adult Medal classes at competitions held between June 1 and 45 days prior to the Classic.

The USHJA extends its thanks to Desert International Horse Park for hosting the event; Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti, and Stridefull; and Supporting Sponsors Frank & Eileen, Essex Classics, and RingSide Pro.

For more information about the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs, visit ushja.org/Gladstone.

USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs - West Results

Rider | Horse | Trainer | Owner

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

1. Robyn Burton | Noaber van de Wolfsslenke | Heather Rhodes | Robyn Burton

85 | 86 | 171

2. Alicyn Roy | Portobello | Kim Tasker | Alicyn Roy

84 | 79 | 163

3. Victoria Southwick | Luciano | Kate Considine | Victoria Southwick

83 | 81 | 164

4. Madeline O’Grady | Mondiaal | Matty Ringel | Madeline O’Grady

81 | 89 | 170

5. Claire Archer | Fanta Light B | Allison Kroff | Claire Archer

85.5 | 82 | 167.5

6. Brianna Hammerman | Didorina EZ | Michael Dennehy | Brianna Hammerman

84.5 | 77.5 | 162

Edited Release: Desert International Horse Park and USHJA

Photos: High Desert Sport Photo