Robinson and Simba de Vinck are Spectacular in $100,000 USHJA WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular

Williamsburg, Mich.—July 11, 2026—Halie Robinson of Santa Barbara, Calififornia, in Zone 10, rode 8-year-old Simba de Vinck to a celebrated victory in the $100,000 USHJA WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular on Saturday evening to put an exclamation mark on World Championship Hunter Rider week during the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival at Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City, Michigan. Claiming reserve honors was Alice Goodwin and Kapatero, with Augusta Iwasaki and Positano rounding out the top three. 

“He's so spectacular,” gushed Robinson after the victory with 8-year-old Simba de Vinck. “He’s like riding a Hunter with a mix of gymnastic sport involved at the same time—the feeling is great. It’s been a privilege to ride him since we bought him [in December]. We have made sure to do right by the horse and take our time with him. His whole village has trusted the process and given today, we've nailed that.”

The Central Hunter Spectacular is the final in a four-event series of WCHR Hunter Spectacular events that began with two in Florida in January and February and continued in California in March. Competitors qualified by winning champion titles in their respective divisions at the 3’6” height or above.

Robinson, a young professional at the helm of Huntridge in Santa Rosa Valley, California, was second in the desert this March before avenging that runner-up placing in this weekend’s Spectacular. 

Joe Carnicorn designed Saturday's two-round derby format course, allowing riders to show off their horses over a Classic Hunter Round and then a Handy track in front of two judging panels, consisting of Kristen Chance, Phillip Long, Andrea Wells, and Scott Williams. 

Robinson piloted the Belgian-bred son of Untouchable to a leading score of 92 in the opening round for owner Luciana Gonzalez and her father Guillermo’s Big Picture, LLC. Goodwin, of Richmond, Virginia, in Zone 3, riding her own Kapatero sat in second on a 90 going into the Handy. Both sitting on a score of 89.425 going into the Handy was Iwasaki, of Calabasas, California, in Zone 10, and Positano, owned by Victoria Lacagnina, and Greg Crolick, of Clarkston, Michigan, in Zone 5, riding Carole Chase's Chappy.

From a staggering 58-horse field at 3’6”, 3’9”, and 4’ heights, 12 returned for the Handy Round, which included several options to show off inside turns, scope, and adjustability. Robinson and Simba de Vinck impressed once again, earning a 90.25 and took the win on an averaged score of 91.125. 

“My plan for the Handy Round was definitely to keep it as risk-proof as possible,” said Robinson of her approach to returning with a two-point lead over the closest challenger. “We came in with a big lead, and he's only eight, so I didn't want to push too much. I wanted to also make it impressive enough to seal the deal.”

Seal the deal she did with a conservative approach to the Handy, but impressive efforts from Simba de Vinck. “Sometimes he can perhaps be a little too spectacular,” continued Robinson of the mount that will eventually transition to compete under the direction of owner Luciana. “I think, and I hope, that this horse can really evolve what Hunters are—he's so unique in his character, style, and athleticism.”

While their time together has been short, Robinson admitted that the horse usually rises to the top. Coming into the Central Hunter Spectacular, they boasted a championship in the 3’9” Green Hunter division to qualify, as well as a reserve championship in the 3’9” Greens at Devon this spring. “I for sure knew that I could trust him here tonight,” she said. “The handy showed off his talents, but I didn’t take too many risks.” 

Simba de Vinck’s village is a sprawling one, and Saturday night’s results came with support from Traverse City and beyond. “He deserves all the fans he has,” concluded Robinson, who admits she was on the phone most of the day with the gelding’s owners and connections.

Rounding out the podium finishes in the $100,000 USHJA WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular, the results from the opening round remained intact after the Handy with Goodwin and Kapatero to second on a final score of 90.5. Iwasaki and Positano capped the top three with a final average of 88.75.  

The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Traverse City Horse Shows team for hosting the Spectacular and to Official Sponsors, Nutrena, Parlanti, Herm Sprenger, and Stridefull; Official Education Partner of the USHJA WCHR Spectaculars, ICL Academy. Supporting Sponsor of the USHJA Hunter Championships, GumBits; and Supporting Sponsor, Essex Classics.

For more information about the USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Program, visit ushja.org/WCHR.

$100,000 USHJA WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular Results

Rider | Horse | Owner

Round 1 Avg. | Round 2 Avg. | Final Score

1. Halie Robinson | Simba De Vinck | Big Picture, LLC
92 | 90.25 | 91.125

2. Alice Goodwin | Kapatero | Alice Goodwin
90 | 91 | 90.5

3. Augusta Iwasaki | Positano | Victoria Lacagnina
89.425 | 88 | 88.75

4. Greg Crolick | Chappy | Carole Chase
89.425 | 88 | 88.712

5. Samantha Schaefer | Coventry Moon | R & R Hunter Horses, LLC
88.5 | 84 | 87.5

6. JJ Torano | Connect The Dots | VBK Equine, LLC
88 | 84.5 | 86.25

7. Kyla Makhloghi | Step Up | Andrea Block
86.375 | 84 | 85.187

8. Madison Stewart | Lantos | Madison Stewart
86.75 | 83.5 | 85.125

9.  Eleanor Rudnicki | Vex Freedom | Vex Sporthorse Ltd.
83.75 | 86 | 84.875

10. Augusta Iwasaki | Small Fortune | Elizabeth Reilly
88.875 | 80.5 | 84.687

11. JJ Torano | Bridgerton | Lexi Maounis
86.175 | 46.575 | 65.587

12. Mia Holstead | Malito | Mia Holstead
86.25 | 44.5 | 65.375

Press Release: Gable and USHJA

Photos: Natalie Suto Photography