National Hunter Derby, Jumper, and Equitation Titles Awarded at 2025 Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships

Las Vegas, Nev.—Nov. 14, 2025—Competition at the 2025 Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships continued in full swing on Thursday at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa as riders took to the rings for an action-packed day featuring the $25,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby, the first USEF/USHJA Jumper National Championships of the week, and the age-group and Affiliate Equitation divisions.

$25,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby

The $25,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby capped off a day of stiff competition with a field of 47 entries, where Olivia Aul and Copyright rose to the top to secure the win and the title of Leading Junior National Hunter Derby Rider. Scoring a total of 186—ten points ahead of the rest of the field—Aul impressed with a 92 in the hunt portion of the round and a 94 in the go. Designed by Archer Bailey, the class utilized the Hunt and Go format, combining the Classic and Handy elements into one seamless test.

“He’s brilliant and he knows that we know it. I think the Hunt portion—he was so lovely to get a nice rolling canter on and kind of keep it around, so that was pretty straightforward. And then for the Go, again, lovely balance,”  Aul said of her round with Elizabeth Aul's Copyright. “After the ninth fence, taking the inside turn really helped make the gallop to the oxer a little more efficient… I think any chance you get, you should take."

Aul has had the ride on “Copy” since he was just 4 years old. While their partnership has grown over the years, Olivia said he’s been “pretty much perfect” since the start. 

“He has a lot of personality. He's sassy. He is so good, so we let him get away with it, and he is such a dream to ride,” she said. “Lovely balance, clean to the jumps, and he really helps the rider, too. He snaps his knees every time.”

Evie Becky, of Pacific Palisades, California, left the ring with a red ribbon in hand, riding Twain, owned by Becky Equestrian, LLC, with a total score of 176. Clara McDanniel, local to Clinton, Washington, finished out the top three slots in the leaderboard with a score of 175.4. McDanniel rode her own Seven Kingdoms and received the additional honor of being named the Leading Amateur National Hunter Derby Rider.

USEF/USHJA 1.20m Open Jumper National Championship

Jamie Sailor, of Moorpark, California, and Callen Johnson’s Riptide TW, dominated the USEF/USHJA 1.20m Open Jumper National Championship, sweeping all three classes to secure the division title. The duo consistently led the field, finishing nearly three seconds faster than their closest rivals in the $1,000 1.20m Welcome; $1,000 1.20m Speed; and the $10,000 1.20m Grand Prix. 

“Riptide TW, known as Lex in the barn, won all three of his classes, which I’m just thrilled with because this was his first time showing indoors," exclaimed Sailor. “We did the hat trick, winning all three classes, and I couldn’t ask for anything more from him. The course was beautiful today, the horses were all jumping great, and I’m just so proud and thrilled with his performance all week. Now he’s earned some rest, and I’m really happy with him.”

Riding in from Parker, Colorado, on her own Cartier 130, Marisa Metzger claimed reserve champion honors after a second place finish in the $10,000 1.20m Open Jumper Grand Prix. 

USEF/USHJA 1.30m Open Jumper National Championship

Alexandra Pielet, of Dallas, Texas, rode Lununa, owned by Co-Pielet, LLC, to the top of the $1,000 1.30m Speed on her way to taking the USEF/USHJA 1.30m Open Jumper National Championship title. The pair also took second place in the $1,000 1.30m Welcome.

Reserve went to Amanda Gomez, of Norco, California, on Rising Star Equestrian’s Charly-Ann.

USEF/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper National Championship

Owner and rider Cameron Brown, of Albuquerque, Oregon, earned the USEF/USHJA 1.30/1.35m Junior/Amateur Jumper National Championship title after posting the fastest fault-free round in the $10,000 1.30m Junior/Amateur Jumper Grand Prix aboard Flinton M. Long-time partners of seven years together, Brown loves his personality and dependability.

“I can count on him with anything. He’s the most trustworthy and safe partner I’ve ever had,” Brown said of Flinton M. “I’ve never felt more confident or at peace on a horse. He’s an incredible partner. I can make mistakes, and he always keeps us safe. I feel so lucky. Being in Vegas has been such a treat, fun nights with friends, and spoiling Levi with cookies!”

Alessandra Smit, of Reno, Nevada, rode her own Chaccalanda to the reserve champion honors after taking first place in the $1,000 1.30m Junior/Amateur Welcome.

USHJA Equitation 14 and Under Championship

Kathryn Padilla, of Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, earned the Equitation 14 and Under Leading Rider Perpetual Trophy donated by Showplace Productions and Patrick and Nicole Boyle and the USHJA Equitation 14 and Under Championship title with Georgetown, owned by Highland Farm, LLC. On the way to the title and trophy, Padilla placed first and second in the Over Fences classes.

Reserve went to Dane Anson, of Nanaimo, British Columbia, riding his own Celestino to a first and second in the Over Fences classes. 

USHJA Equitation 15-17 Championship

Riding Kruz, owned by Bridgeport Farms, LLC, Violet Tatum, of Pacific Palisades, California, claimed blue ribbons in both Over Fences classes on her way to taking the USHJA Equitation 15-17 Championship title. For her riding efforts, Tatum won the Equitation 15-17 Leading Rider Perpetual Trophy donated by Showplace Productions and Patrick and Nicole Boyle. 

Olivia Aul, of Woodinville, Washington, rode Elizabeth Aul’s Copyright into reserve honors after claiming second in both Over Fences classes. 

USHJA Equitation 18 & Over Championship

Clara McDanniel, of Clinton, Washington, swept the Over Fences classes aboard her own Seven Kingdoms on the way to taking home the USHJA Equitation 18 & Over Championship. 

Reserve honors went to Lauren Burke, of Las Vegas, Nevada, riding EEAS Cape Town, owned by EEA Sporthorses Inc.

USHJA Affiliate Equitation 17 & Under 2'​ Championship

Breckyn Maxwell, of Scottsdale, Arizona, rode Kristen Hillenbrand’s Cherrybrook Blue Bobbie Socks to two blue ribbons in Over Fences classes on the way to earning the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 17 & Under 2'​ Championship title. Maxwell was nominated by the Arizona Hunter Jumper Association. 

Nominated by the Sierra Nevada Horse Show Association, Sterling Sennhenn, of Incline Village, Nevada, and Marvel, owned by Lynne Maclean, took first in an Over Fences class to take reserve champion honors. 

USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 & Over 2'​ Championship

Brittney Parker, of Zephyr Cove, Nevada, claimed the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 & Over 2’ Championship aboard Lynne Maclean’s Gucci St. Anne after topping two Over Fences classes. The pair was nominated by the Sierra Nevada Horse Show Association.

“I took about ten years off riding in between college and starting again as an adult, and Gucci has been a great, great helper to that,” said Parker. “Gucci’s also like a big puppy dog. He’s very playful and loves the attention. It feels awesome to be champion!”

Claiming reserve honors was Saltaire Farm Equestrian Center nominee Mackenzie Gamage, of Ogden, Utah, aboard Andrea Willden’s Chewbacca. Gamage took one blue and two red ribbons in the Over Fences classes. 

USHJA Affiliate Equitation 17 & Under 2'6"​ Championship

A nominee from the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association, McKenzie Currie, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, rose to the top of the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 17 & Under 2'6"​ Championship with her own Ucelo de Kergane. The pair took first and second in the Over Fences classes on their way to the win.

Morgan Gidney, the Zone 7 Outreach Backstage Pass recipient from McKinney, Texas, piloted her own Apple Jack 12 to reserve. 

USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 & Over 2'​6" Championship

Heidi Schmutz, of Longmont, Colorado, rode her own Over Ice to the top of an Over Fences and Flat class to earn the USHJA Affiliate Equitation 18 & Over 2'​6" Championship title. Schmutz rode for the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association. 

“I feel so blessed and lucky to be here," Schmutz said. "Lola is a tremendous partner and I couldn't be luckier. I felt like I relaxed and she relaxed and that made it come together a lot better. I just felt like it was a great experience and all the better because I'm here with my team and my amazing trainer. This horse show is beautiful and everybody does an amazing job. It's really fun to stay in the hotel and come down and visit my horse whenever I want."

Nominated by the Yellowstone Hunter Jumper Association, Sarah Alke, of Bozeman, Montana, collected the reserve champion title after topping an Over Fences class with her own SS Skywalker.

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