Equitation Champions Crowned at the AON/USHJA National Championships


Las Vegas—November 17, 2018—Equitation riders shined on Saturday at the AON/USHJA National Championships at The Las Vegas National Horse Show-CSI 4*W, as Kate Abajian earned the Leading Equitation Rider title in her last equitation competition as a Junior.

“I’m super thrilled about sweeping the division,” Abajian said after winning the Equitation 15-17 division.

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Kate Abajian and Don Stewart's Tip Jar were named High-Point Equitation Rider and Leading Equitation Rider of the AON/USHJA National Championships. Photo Credit: Tricia Booker/USHJA.

Abajian’s smooth and consistent trips aboard Tip Jar, owned by Don Stewart, earned her top honors as she won every class she contested in her age group section. The 17-year-old from San Juan Capistrano, California, who trains with John Bragg and Lee Flick of Bridgeport Farm, also earned the High-Point Equitation Rider and Leading Equitation Rider titles.

“[Tip Jar] is an amazing horse. I like his personality, and he’s such a hard worker,” she said. “I love how easy going he is, and he doesn’t care about what’s in the ring or what he jumps, as long as I tell him where to go. He’s such a good guy and so much fun to ride.”

Earning the Reserve Championship title in the Equitation 15-17 division was Sophia Sanders, 17, of Palos Verdes Estates, California, riding her own Cipriani.

Elisa Broz, 13, of Freedom, California, returned from the Jumper ring after winning Friday’s $10,000 USEF/USHJA Children’s Jumper Grand Prix and earning the Co-Champion title for the Children’s Jumper section, to claim the Championship title in the Equitation, 14 and Under, section. Broz, riding Constance Broz’s Beforeanythingelse, placed first in one of two over fences classes, as well as the flat class to secure her second National Championship title of the week.

Reeve Sykes, 14, of Pacific Palisades, California, riding Karina Sanchez’s Ciabatta, earned the Reserve Championship title of the Equitation, 14 and Under, section.

In addition to the age group equitation, two USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal classes were held, one for the 15-17 age group and one for the 14 and Under age group. Earning the class win for the older group was Sanders and Cipriani. Lilly Clarkson, 16, of San Diego, California, earned second place riding Miriam McNally’s Duberlin.

Clara McDanniel, 14, of Clinton, Washington, riding her own Champagne, won the 14 and Under USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal class, with Broz placing second.

While Equitation took center stage in the South Point Arena, the Priefert Pavilion featured Small, Medium and Large Pony Hunter conformation and under saddle classes, as well as Children’s and Adult Amateur Hunter Handy classes. The USHJA Affiliate Hunter Championships also kicked off with over fences classes for 2’ and 2’6” sections. Tomorrow, the week will wrap up by crowning Champions in the Pony Hunter, Children’s Hunter, Adult Amateur Hunter and USHJA Affiliate Hunter sections.

Where To Watch

The inaugural Championships continue through Sunday, and USEF Network is hosting wall-to-wall coverage of the AON/USHJA National Championships. Check out all the details here:

As the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services, AON is the title sponsor for the USHJA National Championships for 2018, 2019 and 2020.

USHJA extends thanks to AON, as well as Championship awards sponsors Essex Classics, Prize Possessions, FITS, Shapley's, SmartPak, C4, and Savannah School of Art and Design, and USHJA Official sponsors: Charles Owen, Official Helmet; CWD, Official Saddle; Parlanti, Official Riding Boot; Professional's Choice, Official Horse Boot; and Rood and Riddle, Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy. 

USHJA also thanks the following perpetual trophy donors: Balmoral Farm & Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Brooks (Large Junior Hunter Championship Perpetual Trophy), Tapestry Farm and the Struve Family (Green Hunter 3' Championship Perpetual Trophy), Steve and Lisa Hankin (Green Hunter 3'3" Championship Puissance R Perpetual Trophy), Cheryl and Michael Rubenstein (Grand Adult Amateur Riesling Perpetual Trophy), Showplace Productions & Patrick and Nicole Boyle (Equitation 14 & Under Leading Rider Perpetual Trophy and the Equitation 15-17 Leading Rider Perpetual Trophy), Patrick and Nicole Boyle (Showplace Productions Overall Top Equitation Rider Perpetual Trophy donor).

For more information, schedule, orders of go, visit showpark.com.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 50,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative and effective risk and people solutions and through industry-leading global resources and technical expertise. Aon has been named repeatedly as the world's best broker, best insurance intermediary, reinsurance intermediary, captives manager and best employee benefits consulting firm by multiple industry sources. Visit  www.aon.com for more information on Aon and www.aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon's global partnership and shirt sponsorship with Manchester United.  Aon is a broker for Great American. Great American is a contributor to the AON/USHJA National Championships.