Hunters Take Top Honors at 2025 Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships

Las Vegas, Nev.—Nov. 16, 2025—Championship action continued at the 2025 Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships in Las Vegas, where Hunter riders delivered standout performances across the Amateur Owner and Junior sections.

USHJA Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3"/3'6" Championship

Karin Binz and her own Vatikan delivered a dominant performance to sweep Section A of the USHJA Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3"/3'6" Championship, besting their 2024 finish. The Lomita, California, rider topped the Welcome, Handy, Stake, and Under Saddle classes on her way to the tricolor, as well as securing the win in the $2,500 Amateur Owner Hunter 3'3"/3'6" Classic. For their standout efforts, the pair earned Grand Champion Amateur Owner Hunter honors and were awarded the Soon To Be Grand Amateur Owner 3'3" Champion Perpetual Trophy, sponsored by the Smith Family.

“I'm very proud, because last year I came in and I got around, but there were some good parts and then some dicey parts. This time, I felt like I really kept my head together,” said Binz. “He's a full year older, and he just really has become a really good horse and trustworthy. You have a finite period of time to make or break a horse, and you've got to listen to them, and we did, and it's paying off.”

In Section B, Paris Theodosakis, of Rancho Santa Fe, California, took top honors aboard her own A Big Boss after winning the Welcome, Handy, and Under Saddle. Highlighted by an impressive score of 89 in the Handy, the pair also claimed the High Score Amateur Owner Hunter Rider title and received the Soon To Be Grand Amateur Owner 3'3" Champion Perpetual Trophy, sponsored by the Smith Family.

Nicole Lean, of Bend, Oregon, and her own Pence WTF, earned the reserve championship in Section A, while Morgan Beyler, of Rancho Santa Fe, California, and her own Sligo secured the reserve in Section B.

USHJA Small Junior Hunter 3'3" Championship

Hailey Eynon, of Rolling Hills Estate, California, rode KHC Farms, Inc.’s Love Story to the top of the USHJA Small Junior Hunter 3'3" Championship, delivering consistent rounds across the division’s classes. 

Reserve honors were awarded to Isabel Dyckerhoff, of Woodside, California, aboard Einstein, after a strong performance in the Handy.

USHJA Large Junior Hunter 3'3" Championship

Ellie Aitchison, of Woodinville, Washington, topped the USHJA Large Junior Hunter 3'3" Championship aboard Stacey Lucko’s Dominion. The pair produced standout rounds in the Handy and Under Saddle classes, earning the championship tricolor and the Large Junior Hunter Division Perpetual Trophy, generously donated by Balmoral Farm and Mr. and Mrs. Carleton Brooks.

Reserve honors went to Olivia Whiting, of Scotts Valley, California, riding her own Edesa’s Cameroon.

USHJA Junior Hunter 3'6" Championship

For the second consecutive year, Violet Tatum, of Pacific Palisades, California, led the victory gallop in the USHJA Junior Hunter 3'6" Championship, this time with Braavos, owned by Brookway Stables. The pair took the blue in the Handy, Stake, and Under Saddle, as well as the $2,500 Junior Hunter 3'6" Classic. Their consistent efforts also earned them the Grand Junior Hunter title and the Grand Junior Hunter For Fun Perpetual Trophy, donated by Bridgeport Farm.

Olivia Aul, of Woodinville, Washington, and her own Cheers! earned reserve honors.

With a three-way tie, the High Score Junior Hunter Award was shared by Violet Tatum and Braavos, Aul and Cheers!, and Aitchison and Dominion, each earning an impressive score of 88.

Bling Award

Throughout the day, Jumper competitors were invited to showcase their Las Vegas spirit by dressing themselves and their horses in their finest blinged-out attire for a chance at two Bling Awards, supported by Herm Sprenger and Exhibitor’s. The Junior Bling Award was presented to Sheree Hawkins, of Austin, Texas, aboard her own Kobe Bean, and the Amateur Bling Award went to Kristina Matthews, of Denver, Colorado, riding her own Catibo M.

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.

Release: USHJA and Desert International Horse Park

Photos: Andrew Ryback Photography