Madison Nadolenco Tops USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - West, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College

Petaluma, Calif.—July 23, 2021—The 2021 USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - West, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College, held at the Sonoma Horse Park on Thursday, July 22, saw Madison Nadolenco top the class. Bella Primavera and Zoe Brown rounded out the top three, taking second and third.

"It was a really special one for me. I grew up watching the class and just hoping to compete in it one day. It’s just surreal to think that I came out on top," said Nadolenco.

Forty-four riders contested the three-round Equitation Classic, with Stella Buckingham, of Los Angeles, California, taking an early lead in the Classic Hunter Round with Vondel DH Z and a score of 90, the event's highest score of the day. The top 20 combinations then returned for the second round's Handy Hunter-style course, which moved the eventual top four from the middle of the pack to the very top.

With an 84 in the first round, Nadolenco sat in ninth heading into the second course. Aboard Couer de Lion, the Calabasas, California, rider added a score of 88 to move up eight spots and into first. Primavera, originally in fifth with an 87, added an 84 in the second round to sit in second aboard Carrico Sun, while Brown moved from eighth to third with The Original by adding a second-round score of 86 to her 84.50 in the first round. The final rider to make it into the third round as part of the top four, Hagerty, of Terrebonne, Oregon, rode Solitude to an 85, which put in fourth when combined with her first-round score of 84.75.

The third round consisted of the top four riders swapping mounts and returning to the ring for a final course. Aboard Primavera's mount, Nadolenco held onto the top spot to claim the Champion title, while Primavera, of Aptos, California, remained in reserve after a round aboard Couer de Lion. Brown, of Redwood City, California, swapped mounts and places with Hagerty to finish in third and fourth, respectively.

"I was just looking for a solid ride in Round 1. We were in a decent spot sitting in ninth. I was thrilled with Round 2; Simba really excelled at all the inside turns while maintaining a good gallop," said Nadolenco of her trips. "It’s always a little strange to get on a horse you don’t know, but all the horses in the work-off were wonderful and it made the final round tons of fun."

"A big thank you to team Ingenium Farm, Tasha Visokay for your endless support and wise words, Luis Cervantes for his dedication to us and all our horses, Katie Hauss for all the help in the warmup ring, my parents for all their guidance, and of course Simba for being the best partner I could’ve asked for," she added. "I’d also like to thank USHJA and Sonoma Horse Park for hosting such a wonderful event."

As Champion, Nadolenco was awarded a pair of Parlanti boots, a gift basket from Straight Arrow, a cooler and a keeper trophy. The champion of both coasts are also eligible for a $5,000 scholarship to Emory & Henry College, provided by presenting sponsor Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College. Primavera earned an Essex Classics riding shirt as Reserve. The top 10 riders received sashes and saddle pads from USHJA, and the top five riders also received a certificate for an Essex Classics riding shirt. Earning the honor of Best Equitation Horse and receiving a CWD Halter and a trophy was Couer de Lion, owned by Sydnie Young and ridden by Nadolenco.

The USHJA extends special thanks to Sonoma Horse Park for hosting this year's Gladstone Cup. The USHJA also thanks official sponsors CWD, Nutrena, Parlanti and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital; title sponsor Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College; and award sponsors Essex Classics and Straight Arrow Family of Brands.

The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College, is a three-round class that combines the precision of equitation and handiness of hunters over a course set at 3'6". Held during the East and West Coast Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter National Championships, the Gladstone Cup is open to any rider that is an Active USHJA junior member at the time of the competition and has won a USEF Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search or Overall WIHS Equitation Classic during the qualifying year.

For more information about the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry College, visit ushja.org/Gladstone.

Photos by Alden Corrigan Media

USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - West Results

Place - Rider - Horse - Round 1 - Round 2 - Round 3 - Final Score

1. Madison Nadolenco - Couer de Lion - 84 - 88 - 87.5 - 259.5
2. Bella Primavera - Carrico Sun - 87 - 84 - 87 - 258
3. Kate Hagerty - Solitude - 84.75 - 85 - 85 - 254.75
4. Zoe Brown - The Original - 84.5 - 86 - 82 - 252.5
5. Gabrielle Sokolow - Just Cavalli - 89 - 79.50 - 168.5
6. Sophie Bluhm - Munich - 82.5 - 83.5 - 166
7. Alexandra Lipacis - Cimmich X - 81 - 84 - 165
8. Avery Glynn - Carambo Z - 88.5 - 75 - 163.5=
9. Katie Jorczak - G-Star - 79.5 - 83 - 162.5
10. Aedan Mooney - Anthem - 83 - 79 - 162