French and O’Rockstar Claim $251,105 3'/3'3" Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 14, 2026—Record-breaking scores and historic performances continued in the Rolex Stadium during the 3'/3'3" Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship at the Kentucky Horse Park, in Lexington, Kentucky, where a new championship record was set for the highest score in the championship’s history.

Held over two rounds on August 13 and 14, with a total prize money purse of $251,105, the championship saw John French and O'Rockstar dominate the competition from start to finish. The pair swept both rounds and captured the top title with an unprecedented overall score of 280.5. Also making history was Quinn Larimer and Religiously, who claimed reserve champion honors with a score of 277 and became the first Tier III rider to earn reserve. Rounding out the top three were Scott Stewart and Cosette, who finished third overall on a score of 271.5.

With Wednesday's 3'/3'3" Championship preliminary round unable to take place due to inclement weather, the format was adjusted, and Thursday's round featured combined prize money awarded to the top 60 finishers. Course designers Tom Hern and Meghan Rawlins welcomed 151 horse-and-rider combinations to compete over a single course on Thursday, where Judges David Beisel, Archie Cox, Ginny Edwards, Troy Hendricks, Bobbie Reber, and Chris Wynne awarded French the top two placings. The Wellington, Florida, rider from Zone 4 took home two checks of $12,555.25 each after piloting Maddock Horses, LLC’s O’Rockstar to victory with a score of 275.5, and Robinson Ridge, LLC’s Dallas to second on a score of 273.5. A three-way tie for third place, each on a score of 271, included Stewart of Flemington, New Jersey, from Zone 2, aboard Alexa and Krista Weisman’s Fiyero; Tracy Fenney of Ocala, Florida, in Zone 4, riding MTM Farm’s MTM Catchy; and Brady Mitchell of Wellington, Florida, also in Zone 4, aboard Float On Equestrian, LLC’s Silver Lining. For their third-place efforts, each rider was awarded a $7,641.96 check.

After only showing two times in the 3’ Green division together recently this year, this was O’Rockstar’s first time competing at the 3’3” height. “I was hurt a little in the spring, so I didn't get to show him until Upperville, and that was his first show. Then he did the Classic at one show in Saugerties, and those are the only shows that he has done,” said French of his mount. “I moved him up after the first two shows from the 3' to the 3'3", and I wasn't sure how he would do. I thought 'Oh, maybe I should have just done the 3',’ but he is scopey.”

The top 30 horse-and-rider combinations advanced to the Championship Round on a clean slate of scores, along with an additional 10 Tier II combinations from Round One. The Championship Round kicked off Friday morning, featuring 10 jumping efforts and two optional fences that allowed riders to select the track best suited to showcasing their horses. Capturing a clean sweep across the 3’/3’3” rounds, French and O’Rockstar wowed the judges with an untouchable score of 280.5, claiming the championship and adding another check to their winnings worth $18,832.88.

“Yesterday I did a warm-up class in the 3'3" Green,” French said of his preparations with O’Rockstar. “In the small warm-up area, I couldn't really get him in front of my leg and going, so I went out into the field afterwards for a minute and galloped him around and made him go forward, then I came down and did my round yesterday. He felt great in the warm-up, like I've never felt him feel before. I think in the four days of riding here and schooling and getting prepared for this, he grew up even a little more. Luckily, I don't have to worry about him looking at anything. He's pretty brave and confident. He's kind of more mature for just being a 7-year-old than you would think.”

Each year, the Green Hunter Incentive Championships provide additional recognition and prize money opportunities through the Rider Ranking System, which places riders into three tiers based on their earnings from the previous competition year within the program. Tier I includes riders ranked 1-45, Tier II encompasses riders ranked 46-100, and Tier III consists of riders ranked 101 and below.

In the Tier II Championship Round, an additional 10 eligible Tier II and below riders returned to compete for separate awards and prize money. Tier II competitors contended for an additional 20% of the Championship purse, worth $50,221, based on their Championship Round or Tier II Championship Round results, while Tier III riders were eligible for an additional 10%, totaling $25,110.50, based on their Preliminary Round results.

It was a whirlwind championship week for Larimer of Mableton, Georgia, of Zone 4, who began the competition by riding Nestledown Equine Services, LLC’s Religiously to the top Tier III spot after the First Round with a score of 265. The pair then captured the Tier II championship and earned reserve overall champion honors with an impressive score of 277 in the final round. For their efforts, Larimer and Religiously took home a combined total of $37,741.09 in championship prize money.

“The fact that I am even sitting at this table right now is still amazing to me,” Larimer reflected. “Yesterday, to have finished just outside the top 12—I was thirteenth—and to then get to go back in and pick up the championship ribbon for being the top Tier III rider was the most incredible feeling. There are so many big names and incredible horses jumping out there that I felt like a winner when I was thirteenth yesterday, and to be recognized for that was really incredible. I think USHJA has done a really good job of implementing some programs and awards to recognize those at the top of the sport and those that are up and coming.”

Wrapping up the overall top three was Stewart and Cosette, owned by Stephanie Danhakl, improving on their previous sixth-place finish to earn a score of 271.5 and a check of $7,721.48.

Between rounds, additional awards were presented to 3’/3’3” competitors.

Rider Style Award: John French
$2,000 High Score Texas Super Series Bonus Award, presented by Colleen McQuay, Peter Pletcher, and Patrick Rodes: SWS Cheers, owned by Steve Weder and ridden by Jeff Gogul
$2,500 High Score American-Bred Award in remembrance of Candie Owens, presented by Oakwell Farms and DS Holdings, LLC: Prosecco, owned by Molly Banfield and ridden by Victoria Colvin
$1,000 High Score Mare Award: Cosette, owned by Stephanie Danhakl and ridden by Scott Stewart
$1,000 High Score 4- and 5-Year-Old Award: MTM Rico Suave, owned by MTM Farm and ridden by Tracy Fenney
$1,000 High Score 6-Year-Old Award, supported by Merryburn Farm and Carl Weeden: Basano, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker and ridden by Scott Stewart
$1,000 High Score 7-Year-Old Award, supported by Merryburn Farm and Carl Weeden: O’Rockstar, owned by Maddock Horses, LLC and ridden by John French
High Score Sallie B. Wheeler/US National Hunter Breeding Championship Alumni Award: Chancellor WH, owned by Whitehedge Farm and ridden by Macy White
$1,000 High Score Thoroughbred Award: Loverly, owned by Melanie Roy and ridden by Miranda Scott

The USHJA thanks the sponsors who help make these championships possible, including Title Sponsor Platinum Performance and Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti International, and Stridefull. Thanks also go to Official Broadcast Provider ClipMyHorse.TV; Championship Official Sponsor Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Pharmacy; Livestream Presenting Sponsor Windsor Stables; and Supporting Sponsors GumBits, Essex Classics, RingSide Pro, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Human Touch, Horseflight, and Texas Super Series.

The USHJA also thanks the donors whose support helps make these championships a continued success and an unforgettable experience for exhibitors, including Diamond Donor Mark Dorfman; Challenge Round Supporter Douglas Wheeler; Gold Donors Louise Riggio and Rivers Edge's Ken Berkley and Scott Stewart; Silver Donors Ceil and Ken Wheeler; Exhibitors' Party Supporters John Ingram and Laura Karat; and Bonus Award Supporters Oakwell Farms, DS Holdings, LLC, Colleen McQuay, Peter Pletcher, Patrick Rodes, Ron Danta, and Danny Robertshaw.

Special thanks go to Show Manager Hugh Kincannon and the entire Kentucky Horse Shows team for their support of the Platinum Performance/USHJA Hunter Championship Week.

Wall-to-wall live streaming coverage is available at no additional cost to members at ClipMyHorse.TV. Additional coverage will be available in the upcoming issue of In Stride.

For more information about the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships, visit ushja.org/GreenChampionship. For online results, visit ushja.org/competition/hunter-week-championships.

Photos: Winslow Photography

3'0"/3'3" Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship Results

Horse | Owner | Rider | Score