French and Valentino BF Victorious at 2025 Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships

Las Vegas, Nev.—Nov. 12, 2025—For a seventh year, the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships kicked off at the South Point Hotel, Casino, & Spa for a week of top Hunter, Jumper, Equitation, and Affiliate competition. From November 10-16, nearly 600 entries from across the country will compete for a share of $320,000 in prize money and 45 coveted division championships.

$25,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby - Open

Claiming the first tricolor of the week was John French and Valentino BF, marking French’s first return to the Championships since 2018. Judges Jessica Lohman, Alan Lohman, and Irving Evans saw a field of 37 competitors take to Skip Bailey’s two-part course in the Championship’s second year utilizing the Hunt and Go format. The Wellington, Florida, rider piloted the 5-year-old Oldenburg stallion, owned and bred by Branscomb Farms, LLC, to an 89.5 in the Classic phase, followed by a 90.5 in the Handy phase, to rise to the top of the leaderboard with a total score of 180.

“This is the most chill 5-year-old. When I was first told to come and see if I could ride this horse, I thought, ‘5-year-old? And then go in the Derby?’ I wasn’t sure. But I know KC [Branscomb] well, and I don’t think she would steer me wrong, so I rode him for the first time yesterday, and he felt good and I thought, ‘You know, he might be able to do this!’ And it turned out great,” said French of his mount, who he is also competing in the Green Hunter 3’3” section throughout the week.

“The course tonight was a little twisty-turny and you had to go through a lot of jumps. There was only one lead change, I think, that I had to do. He landed on all his leads, and he didn't seem to be bothered at all about making those turns,” he continued. “I didn't go crazy tight. I just wanted to make it smooth because he is a baby. And I think the judges rewarded that because he jumped so well and had a great round.”

For his win, French also earned the Leading Professional National Hunter Derby Rider honor.

Karli Postel, of Westlake Village, California, and Azucar, owned by Erin Boatwright, followed close behind French, taking reserve with a 179.25. Sarah Moberg, of Menlo Park, California, and Cowtown Barn, LLC’s Caramba rounded out the top three on a 179.

The week continues with $132,000 in rated Hunter prize money, featuring championships across 20 sections and another USHJA National Hunter Derby for Junior and Amateur riders. The USEF/USHJA National Jumper Championships will showcase 10 sections ranging from 1.00m to a new 1.40m height, offering $168,000 in prize money to Junior, Amateur, and Open competitors. Age-group Equitation divisions for Juniors and Amateurs, as well as the IHSA/USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Final – West, round out the rated competition.

This year, 30 USHJA Affiliate Organizations nominated 250 riders to compete in the Affiliate Championships, alongside competitors who earned the Outreach Backstage Pass. More than 170 riders have entered to vie for $20,000 in prize money across 16 Affiliate Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation sections throughout the week.

In addition to the competition, the Championships provide free educational opportunities for both exhibitors and spectators. Highlights include a “Judge with the Judge” session led by Dan Urban, Sport Psychology seminars with Dr. Jennifer Speisman, course walks with top Hunter and Jumper trainers, and a Bit Fit seminar with Herm Sprenger.

The USHJA extends its thanks to the Desert International Horse Park team for hosting the Championships and to longtime Title Sponsor Marshall+Sterling. Special thanks also go to Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti, and Exhibitor’s; and Championship Sponsors Essex Classics, Human Touch, Prize Possessions, RingSide Pro, SmartEquine, Stridefull, and the US Equestrian.

Live streaming coverage of all classes is available on USEF Network, and complete results are available on ShowgroundsLive.

For more information about the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships, visit ushja.org/NationalChampionships.

Photos: Andrew Ryback Photography, Terisé Cole/USHJA