Richard Rises to 2026 USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - East, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University, Win

Lexington, Ky.—June 18, 2026—Among a competitive field of 122, Emi Richard, of Middlefield, Connecticut, captured the top honors in the 2026 USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - East, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University, on Wednesday, June 17. The Zone 1 rider secured the title at the Kentucky Horse Park during the Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter National Championships aboard Nick Haness’s Maybach. Parker Peacock finished second with Montverdi, while Faith Schuttemeyer placed third overall on Markanto A.

"The first time I competed in the Gladstone was about three or four years ago, and I made it to the top 25, but then I chipped the first jump in the second round," Richard reflected. "To come in here this time, put in two good rounds and then a strong third round during the horse swap was very special and really exciting."

Course designer Skip Bailey set the course for judges Rob Bielefeld and Robin Rost Brown to sort the 122 competitors that contested the Classic Hunter Style round in the Walnut Ring. With 11 jumping efforts, riders showcased their Equitation over a series of natural fences and bending lines.

At the end of the first round, the leaderboard remained tightly contested, with only a few points separating the top riders. Taking a strong lead early in the order was Faith Schuttemeyer, from Boynton Beach, Florida, in Zone 4, with a first-round score of 90 aboard Castlewood Farm, Inc.'s Markanto A. Richard posted a score of 89.75 on Maybach to sit in a close second, followed closely by Amy Krebs, from Franklin, Tennessee, in Zone 4, on a score of 89.5 with Indiam Star Du Lozon owned by Milestone, LLC.

The top 25 returned in reverse order for the Handy Hunter Round, which featured trot fences and hand gallop questions. An impressive 91.5 propelled Richard into the lead with a 181.25 overall. Olivia Sweetnam, of Wellington, Florida, in Zone 4, earned a 91 in the second round to combine with her 88.5 for a 179.5 total aboard Ashland Farms’ Class Act. Schuttemeyer added an 88.5 to move into third on a 178.5, followed by Campbell Cauthen, of Lexington, Kentucky, in Zone 5, on Chris Craft, owned by DCTM, LLC, in fourth with a 177.5. A score of 177 resulted in a three-way tie for fifth among Krebs; Lilly Herzog, of Pepper Pike, Ohio, in Zone 5, aboard Rivers Edge’s Tiebreaker; and Eleanor Pieters, of Chepachet, Rhode Island, in Zone 1, riding Tibri’s Purple Rain, owned by Tibri, LLC. Parker Peacock, of Pfafftown, North Carolina, in Zone 3, rounded out the top group with a two-round total of 176.5 on Ashland Farms' Montverdi.

"In the first round, I was definitely nervous," said Richard. "I wanted to put in a solid round and stay near the top so it would be easier to hold my position. My horse was a little fresh, but we kept it together. In the second round, he really settled in and was amazing."

"He was imported not too long ago, and kind of got thrown right into Equitation," she continued about Maybach. "I think his first Equitation class was just last week, so I’m really proud of him. He’s so new, and to come into a big ring like that is really special."

With a minimum of six to return and a three-way tie, judges asked the top eight riders to switch horses and return for a third round. A standout performance on Class Act secured Richard the win over the shortened course.

"In the third round, with the horse swap, I knew I was getting a more difficult horse, but he ended up being amazing for me," she said.

Rising from eighth was Peacock, who collected the reserve ribbon after her round on Indiam Star du Lozon, while her original mount, Montverdi, earned the Best Equitation Horse honor.

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The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University, 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 Hunter Seat Medal, ASPCA Maclay, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, either phase of WIHS Equitation Classic or Overall WIHS Equitation Classic during the qualifying year. This year's West Coast competition will take place at HITS at Del Mar in Del Mar, California, on July 23.

The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Split Rock Jumping Tour team for hosting the Classic. The USHJA also thanks Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti, and StrideFull; Presenting Sponsor Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University; and Supporting Sponsors Essex Classics and Frank & Eileen.

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

USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - East, presented by Intermont Equestrian at Emory & Henry University Results

Rider | Horse | Trainer | Owner

Round 1 | Round 2 | Two-Round Score*
*The Final Round was not scored.

Photos: Winslow Photography