No Chance CMB Rises to the Top at USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships, Presented by Saddle Lake Equestrian Center & Missy Jo Hollingsworth

Lexington, Va.—Aug. 25, 2026—Ponies took the spotlight at the Virginia Horse Center on Sunday, August 23, during the USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships, presented by Saddle Lake Equestrian Center & Missy Jo Hollingsworth. Nearly 60 entries competed for top honors and a share of $10,000 in prize money. Emerging as the standout of the day was No Chance CMB, a 2021 German Riding Pony gelding owned by Oakland Training and Sales LLC, trained by Jessica Chappell, and ridden by Vivienne Noel to claim the Overall Grand Champion title. 

"This was actually No Chance CMB’s first real horse show, which made this weekend even more exciting," remarked Chappell. "We have been working with him throughout the summer for [his owners], and he has been nothing but a professional. We do a lot of cross-training with our ponies, and we felt very confident bringing him out for the first time."  

Performances from No Chance CMB with Noel, of Warrenton, Virginia, in Zone 3, in the irons throughout the 4- and 5-Year-Olds 2' division earned high marks from judges Winn Alden and Alice Coke, including over courses set by George Heston. The impressive young pony, known as "Chad" in the barn, capped off the competition by claiming Overall Grand Champion honors and collecting numerous awards courtesy of USHJA sponsors.

"[No Chance CMB] is easy to work with, consistent, and the job just comes naturally to him," added Chappell, who earned Leading Trainer honors. "He is truly lovely to ride. Vivienne had been riding him at home, and the two of them really put all the pieces together [over the] weekend."

Under the expert guidance of Chappell, owner of Folklore Farm LLC in Amissville, Virginia, in Zone 3, Noel earned Champion honors in the 6- and 7-Year-Olds 2'3"/2'6" division with Midnight Moonshine (Heidepeel's Sydney x Heidehof's Alena), a 2020 Welsh Pony gelding owned by Midnight Rose Stables LLC. Noel also claimed Reserve Champion in the 4- and 5-Year-Olds 2'3" division riding Lucky Devil (Hulst Moonlight x Castenrayseweg Blac Dancer K), a 2021 Welsh Pony gelding owned by Rebecca McCarty.

"[Chad] is a very willing-to-work young pony, and he definitely has quite the personality in the barn," Noel said of her mount. "He really put a lot of effort in when he stepped into the ring this weekend, which was outstanding. As a young pony, sometimes it can be hard for them to take everything in at a show, but he really handled everything so well and was such a good boy."

The USHJA congratulates the following division champions at the 2026 event:

5-Year-Old and Under

• Champion – Voxton Party Favor (Telynau Bronze Statute x HNH Star Games), a 2022 Welsh Pony Cross mare owned by Megan Sullivan, trained by Jennifer Campbell, bred by Katherine Klein, and ridden by Lydia Campbell
• Reserve Champion – FC Meadowlark (Barkmeadow Black Gold x Tegan Tina), a 2023 Welsh Cross Pony mare owned and ridden by Emma Flores, trained by Jamie Sullivan, and bred by Leanne Krick

4- and 5-Year-Olds 2'

• Champion – No Chance CMB, a 2021 German Riding Pony gelding owned by Oakland Training and Sales LLC, trained by Jessica Chappell, and ridden by Vivienne Noel
• Reserve Champion – Midnight Blue (Islyn Ffrwydryn x Nantdwywyll Lowri), a 2021 Welsh Pony gelding owned and trained by Rebecca McCarty, and ridden by Irelyn McCarty

4- and 5-Year-Olds 2'3"

• Champion – Cherrybrook Blue Cadet (Cherrybrook Blue and Gold x Dress Code), a 2021 Welsh Pony Cross gelding owned by Cassidy Leigh-Dillsburg, trained by Jennifer Staley, bred by Cherrybrook Hunter Ponies LLC, and ridden by Savannah Staley 
• Reserve Champion – Lucky Devil (Hulst Moonlight x Castenrayseweg Blac Dancer K), a 2021 Welsh Pony gelding owned by Rebecca McCarty, trained by Jessica Chappell, and ridden by Vivienne Noel

6- and 7-Year-Olds 2’

• Champion – Dragonwyck Pink Champagne (Dragonwyck Bristol Illusion x Rosmel's Pixy Stix), a 2020 Welsh Pony gelding owned and trained by Jennifer Staley, bred by Belinda Meyers, and ridden by Bitty Wright 
• Reserve Champion – Utopia (Waxing Perrin x Utopia Lucky Lady Lunar), a 2019 Welsh Pony gelding owned and trained by Missy Jo Hollingsworth, and ridden by Amy Heppolette

6- and 7-Year-Olds 2’3”/2'6"

• Champion – Midnight Moonshine (Heidepeel's Sydney x Heidehof's Alena), a 2020 Welsh Pony gelding owned by Midnight Rose Stables LLC, trained by Jessica Chappell, and ridden by Vivienne Noel
• Reserve Champion – Royal Piano Man (Telynau Royal Charter x Barred Secrets), a 2020 Welsh Pony Cross gelding owned by Royal Fox Farm LLC, trained and bred by Missy Jo Hollingsworth, and ridden by Louisa Rehme

Adults on Ponies 7-Year-Old and Under, Supported by Ponies and Palms Show Stables 

• Champion – Rocketman RR (Rhiannon's Chocolate Dragon x Rhiannon's Dragonfly), a 2021 Welsh Pony Cross gelding owned by Pippa Lawford, trained by Carol Eichner, bred by Lesley Rhys Williams, and ridden by Amy Zettler
• Reserve Champion – Boca's Good Magic (Boca's Marvellous x Boca's Blue Fox), a 2020 Welsh Pony Cross owned and bred by Ponies & Palms Show Stables LLC and trained and ridden by Lisa Butzer

A number of special awards were also presented, including:

• Leading Owner – Rebecca McCarty 
• Leading Trainer – Jessica Chappell 
• Leading Breeder – Cherrybrook Hunter Ponies, LLC 
• Get of Sire –  Royal Party Shoes 
• Produce of Dam – HF Little Miss Priss 
• Style Award – Lydia Campbell 
• Best Child Rider – Savannah Staley 
• Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America - Highest Scoring Purebred – Dragonwyck Pink Champagne 
• Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America - Highest Scoring Half/Part-Bred Welsh – Voxton Party Favor
• Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America - Leading Welsh Breeder – Missy Jo Hollingsworth 
• Westfalen German Riding Pony – Sayretta SSF (Sempatico M x OFW Renata Ox), a  2021 Westphalian mare owned and trained by Megan Sullivan, bred by Carolyn Sanders, and ridden by Saylor Grace Orcel

The USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships aim to develop the Hunter Breeding sport and create opportunities for current and new owners, breeders, and handlers to showcase talented young Hunter pony prospects. The Championships feature competition for ponies aged 7 and under, with most sections comprised of a model, under saddle, and over fences classes. Classes are open to Juniors, excluding the popular Adults on Ponies division, supported by Ponies & Palms Show Stables, open to Amateurs and Professionals.

The USHJA extends a special thank you to the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, Manager Keedie Leonard, and Secretary Marianna Wade for hosting the Championships. The USHJA also thanks official sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Stridefull, and Parlanti; presenting sponsors Saddle Lake Equestrian Center & Missy Jo Hollingsworth and Ponies & Palms Show Stables; supporting sponsors Essex Classics and GumBits.

Sincere gratitude is extended to the following donors: Oliver and Joan Brown at Hunters Haven Farm, Robin Greenwood of GC Ponies, American Connemara Pony Society, Belgian Riding Pony, New Forest Pony Society of North America, Virginia Pony Breeders Association, Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America, and Westfalen German Riding Pony Society of North America.

For more information about the USHJA Young Hunter Pony Championships, visit ushja.org/YHPC.

Photos: KMK Photos LLC