Jarosinski-Holy Claims Top Honors at Sixth Annual USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals
Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 8, 2025—Sarah Jarosinski-Holy, of Suffolk, Virginia, topped the field at the sixth annual USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge National competition. Hosted virtually from November 5-23, the event welcomed the top 19 Amateur members who excelled in the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge quizzes to compete for both overall honors and phase awards.
"Speaking from the working Adult Amateur perspective, many of us are former barn rats who have seen our marathon barn days as Juniors evolve into weeks where we struggle to get to the barn regularly," remarked Jarosinski-Holy. "Not only is maintaining good horsemanship knowledge important to make us the best horsemen and horsewomen we can be, but it's also a welcome mental escape. I hope to remain a lifelong student of the sport, stay hungry to learn more, and advocate for the animals I'm so passionate about."
The three-phase competition kicked off with an online Written Exam to evaluate the finalists' knowledge of horsemanship and stable management. The top 12 performers on the Written Exam advanced to the Interview stage, which included essay-style questions and a video interview with the Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Committee.
The scores from the Written Exam and Interview were averaged to determine the top four finalists, who then progressed to the Practicum phase. In this final stage, participants showcased their horsemanship skills through a series of demonstrations on video.
After earning reserve honors in 2024, Jarosinski-Holy demonstrated her knowledge by earning first in both the Interview and Practicum phases, capturing the title in her second year competing. To prepare for Nationals, she made the most of her work travel schedule, using the time to focus on her studies.
Last year, Jarosinski-Holy completed the Practicum phase at Nationals with her childhood pony, Tyko, who is now retired with her parents. This year, she enlisted the support of Peg Seals, Laura Wright, and Lissy Naber of Freedom Farm, where she has been training to further her preparation.
"I discovered the program last year when I was going through breast cancer treatment," added Jarosinski-Holy. "Enrolling in the program gave me a tangible goal and helped me feel like I still had a foot in the horse world. It was also a welcome distraction from my health challenges. Once I was cleared by my medical team, I spent much of this year getting my fitness back, building my veterinary business, traveling for work, and finally getting back in the saddle more regularly. Learning that I had won the competition this year brought me so much joy."
Allie Calderon, of Gallatin, Tennessee, scored reserve honors in her second year participating, placing third in the Written Exam and second in both the Interview and Practicum phases. First-time competitor, Lori Morlock of Chicago, Illinois, finished in third place overall after coming in first in the Written Exam and third in the Practicum phase. Casondra Fivecoat of Joelton, Tennessee, rounds out the top four after finishing third in the Interview phase and fourth in the Practicum phase.
Jarosinski-Holy, Calderon, and Morlock were awarded training and education grants for their overall placings, receiving $2,000, $1,500, and $500, respectively. Additional prizes were presented, including fourth place overall and to the top scorers in each testing phase, courtesy of USHJA sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and SmartEquine.
The USHJA would like to thank Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and Parlanti; Educational Partner Spy Coast Farm; and Supporting Sponsors East West Equine Sports Medicine and SmartEquine.
The USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge is supported in part by grants from US Equestrian and the USHJA. For more information about the USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, visit ushja.org/AdultHQC.
Photos: Courtesy of Sarah Jarosinski-Holy
USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals Results
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Overall 1. Sarah Jarosinski-Holy 2. Allie Calderon Written 1. Lori Morlock 3. Allie Calderon 4. Kos Gilbert |
Interview 1. Sarah Jarosinski-Holy 2. Allie Calderon 3. Casondra Fivecoat 4. Nicole Imbeault Practicum 1. Sarah Jarosinski-Holy 3. Lori Morlock 4. Casondra Fivecoat |
