First Division Champions Crowned at Second Annual AON/USHJA National Championships

Las Vegas—Nov. 15, 2019—The first division champions were crowned Thursday at the second annual AON/USHJA National Championships at The Las Vegas National, CSI3*-W, with Leading Open Jumper Rider, High Score Green Hunter Rider, and Leading Owner and Leading Trainer titles awarded for both USHJA National Hunter Championships and USEF/USHJA National Jumper Championships.

USEF/USHJA 1.20m Open Jumper Championship

Professional Jason McArdle of Rancho Santa Fe, California, captured the first division Championship of the 2019 AON/USHJA National Championships. McArdle also captured the win in the $10,000 1.20m Open Jumper Grand Prix, and the Open Jumper Leading Rider title. Kristin Hardin of New Cuyama, California, earned the Reserve Championship, after a blazing fast round in the Speed class and top finishes in the Welcome class and Grand Prix.

"This year I made a point of doing those young horses in open classes throughout the year so they could qualify for the Championships," said McArdle. Luckily, they got in and it was great. I’m super happy with them and excited for them to grow up next year and mature. My horses have been absolutely fantastic all week. The show has been great, and I couldn’t be happier."

USEF/USHJA 1.30m Open Jumper Championship

Champion in the USEF/USHJA 1.30m Open Jumpers was Michelle Parker of San Marcos, California. Parker also earned top honors in the $10,000 1.30m Open Jumper Grand Prix. Earning the Reserve Champion title was Molly Talla of Bozeman, Montana, after top placings in each of the divisions classes.

USEF/USHJA 1.40m Open Jumper Championship

Kendall Bourgeois of Wilsonville, Oregon, rode to the top of the $10,000 1.40m Open Jumper Grand Prix as well as earned the USEF/USHJA 1.40m Open Jumper National Champion title. Sixteen-year-old Violet Lindemann-Barnett from San Francisco, California, took the Reserve Champion title after a first place finish in the Speed class and a third place finish in the Grand Prix.

USEF/USHJA 1.00m Children's Jumper Championship

New to the National Championships in 2019, the USEF/USHJA 1.00m Low Children's and Adult Amateur Jumper Championships saw exciting competition in the Priefert Pavilion. Taylor Black of Paradise Valley, Arizona, earned the Championship title in the Low Children's division after a first place finish in the $5,000 Grand Prix. Lauren Little of Lafayette, California, earned the Reserve Champion title.

The Leading Trainer title for the 1.00m Children's Jumper Championship was awarded to Black's trainer, Lucy Alabaster, and Black earned the Leading Owner Title for her own mount Ludwig's Concept.

USEF/USHJA 1.00m Adult Amateur Jumper Championship

Madison Papariello of Chicago, Illinois, captured the the USEF/USHJA 1.00m Low Adult Amateur Jumper Championship title and the win in the $5,000 Grand Prix. Earning the Reserve Champion title was Duncan Peters of Lexington, Kentucky, who had top three finishes in all three of the division's classes.

"It is our first time here; I love it so much," said Papariello of the Championships. "It’s so convenient being able to come down and say goodnight to the horses and wake up and have it be the first place you come. It’s definitely worth the travel. It’s a long way but I’m glad we’re here...We’ll 100 percent be back."

Janet Sassmannshausen earned the Leading Trainer title as Papariello's trainer, and Papariello earned the Leading Owner title for her own mount Chipie B F Z.

USHJA Green Hunter 3' Championship

Taking home the Green Hunter 3' Championship and the Grand Champion Green Hunter title was Nicole Bourgeois of Wilsonville, Oregon, aboard Tic Tac Toe. Nick Haness and Alajolie took Reserve. As division Champion, Bourgeois was also awarded the Green Hunter 3’ Championship Perpetual Trophy, sponsored by Tapestry Farm and the Struve Family.

USHJA Green Hunter 3'3" Championship

Sweeping the Green Hunter 3'3" Championship was Nick Haness of Temecula, California, earning both the Champion and Reserve Champion division titles aboard Crowd Pleaser and Reese's, respectively. Haness also had a one-two finish with the same two mounts owned by West Coast Equine Partners, LLC in the Green Hunter 3'/3'3" Classic with Reese's in first and Crowd Pleaser in second. As Champion, Haness was also presented with the Green Hunter 3’3” Championship Puissance R Perpetual Trophy, sponsored by Steve and Lisa Hankin.

Adding to his Green Hunter success at this year's Championships, Haness was also named the High Score Hunter Rider for his score of 90 aboard Crowd Pleaser in the $500 Green Hunter 3'3" Welcome Over Fences.

USHJA Green Hunter 3'6" Championship

Haness' success continued in the Green Hunter 3'6" division securing the win in the Green Hunter 3'6"/3'9" Classic and the division Championship title aboard Grateful. Gabriela Pattinson of San Juan Capistrano, California, and Secret Romance were Reserve Champions.

USHJA Green Hunter 3'9" Championship

Traveling all the way from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, paid off for Kathleen Caya who captured the Green Hunter 3'9" Championship title aboard Scirocco. Arielle Black of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Coraline earned the Reserve Champion title.

EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal

Topping a field of 24 riders in the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal was Charlotte Murray of Los Angeles, California. Jessie Rechs of San Diego, California, earned the Reserve. Murray was also presented with the USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Perpetual Trophy, sponsored by Ledges Sporting Horses and Clay and Donna Struve.

Free Educational Opportunities

In addition to competitive opportunities, exhibitors have taken advantage of free educational offerings hosted by the USHJA. Renowned sports psychologist Mario Soto lead engaging and interactive sessions to help athletes prepare their mental game for the show ring. A course walk of Friday’s $25,000 Junior/Amateur USHJA National Hunter Derby will also be held, and on Saturday afternoon a Judge with the Judge clinic will be held during Round 2 of the WCE Finals in the VIP Cinch Saloon. 

USEF Network is hosting wall-to-wall coverage of the AON/USHJA National Championships. Check out all the details here:

• Schedule
• Orders of Go
• Results
• Live Stream on USEF Network

The USHJA extends special thanks to presenting sponsor AON with Great American Insurance Group; USHJA official sponsors Charles Owen, CWD, Parlanti and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital; award sponsors Essex Classics, FITS, Prize Possessions, Schneider’s, Shapley’s, SmartPak and State Line Tack; Championship competition manager Pat Boyle, and Stephanie Lightner and the entire Las Vegas National and Blenheim EquiSports team. 

For more information about the AON/USHJA National Championships, visit ushja.org/NationalChampionships.

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 aon.com for more information on Aon and 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.

About the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association

The United States Hunter Jumper Association, as the official hunter/jumper affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation, is a competition-based sport organization that serves our members through educational programs, awards and recognition, communication and rules. We provide a wide array of programs for all hunter/jumper levels, and we are mindful of the well-being of our equine partners. Additionally, we are committed to preserving the history of our sport and through our Foundation we support charitable and benevolent services. Learn more at ushja.org.