Shillingford and Perry Triumph in USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs - East

Lexington, Ky.—Sept. 19, 2025—Kicking off the East Coast USHJA Amateur Festival at the Split Rock Kentucky National, Equitation riders from across the East Coast competed in the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs - East on September 19, where champions were crowned in two age sections. Eleese Shillingford and her own Simply Stated earned the top spot in the 18-29 section, while Kelsi Perry captured the 30+ section aboard Linda Langmeier's Riviera.

The 18–29 age section kicked off with a Hunter Style Equitation Round over a thoughtfully designed course by Skip Bailey, featuring 67 talented riders vying for top honors. Judges Scott Williamson and Irving Evans scored the competitive field, which saw only an 8-point spread between the top 20 contenders.

Leading the pack early was Shillingford, of Alpharetta, Georgia, with her own Simply Stated, who set the tone with a commanding score of 88. Close behind was Katelyn Burke of Ocala, Florida, aboard Alwyn Stables LLC's Cozmo Z, earning an 87. Grace McReynolds, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Qui A Vu Merelsnest, owned by Redfield Farm, sat just behind in third with an 86.5. Lexington, Kentucky, local Michelle Newman rounded out the top ten in seventh with an 85 on Elizabeth Cook's Capstone, setting the stage for a dramatic second round.

"I got Apple when I was 16 and leased him from the Rudnicki family for two or three years as a Junior," Shillingford said of her partnership. "When I went to college, we just couldn’t say goodbye—he was part of the family, so we bought him. I have been doing the Adult Equitation on him for the past two years. He’s just the perfect horse and there’s nothing else to say about it."

The top 20 riders returned in reverse order for the Handy Hunter Round, which challenged riders with a more technical and strategic course. Shillingford held firm to her lead, not only improving her initial score but also becoming the only competitor of the day to break into the 90s and bringing her cumulative two-round total to an impressive 178.

Making a remarkable leap was Madison Orr Roberson of Canton, Georgia, riding Next Johnny WTF for Rose Hill Farm, LLC. She climbed 11 places on the leaderboard after delivering a beautifully executed Handy Round, securing a cumulative score of 170.5 and a place in the final work-off. Newman also surged forward to claim a top-four position with a total score of 170, followed closely by McReynolds with a 169.75.

"For the first round, I just wanted to make it through clean," Shillingford said of her strategy. "Going into the Handy, I knew I could show off a little; he has such a big stride, so I was confident there. In the test, I wanted to play it a bit safe, especially with that counter canter. It was such a short turn, so I went back to the walk, did a simple change to the counter lead, and just tried to hold it all together."

The top four advanced to the Final Work-Off Round, which featured a demanding four-fence test that included elements such as a counter-canter, lead changes, and a lengthening of stride into the final line-up. Shillingford once again rose to the occasion, laying down a confident and technically flawless test to sweep all three rounds and claim the section championship title.

Shillingford reflected on the significance of the moment. "This [win] means everything to me. I have been doing Equitation my whole life, and this is the last show I’ll do on Apple. He’s getting older and we’re stepping down, so to finish our partnership on a high like this it’s unbelievable."

Claiming the Reserve Champion honors was McReynolds, while Newman rounded out the podium in third.

Thirty-six riders took to the ring for the 30 and Over section, and setting an early benchmark was Katie Christiansen. The Mount Kisco, New York, rider delivered a commanding performance that earned her a leading score of 86 aboard her own Jericho. Hot on her heels was Perry of Alpharetta, Georgia, piloting Riviera to a strong 85, followed closely by Kiera Corbin Phlipot from Manchester, Michigan, who scored a solid 84 aboard her own Red Roc.

Reflecting on her partnership, Perry shared, "I just met Thunder about six weeks ago. He’s perfect, never puts a foot wrong, a true diamond in the rough. After retiring my big Hunter last year, I was riding whatever I could get. Then, when I got the email saying I qualified, I thought, ‘Why not?’ Thunder was at a local sale barn, and I was lucky enough to lease him. It’s been a whirlwind, but getting to know him has been so much fun. He’s for sale, and someone’s going to be very lucky to have him."

Twenty riders returned for the more technical Handy Round, with cumulative scores on the line and a spot in the Final Round at stake. Perry seized the moment, delivering the highest score of the round with an impressive 89, boosting her total to a commanding 174 and solidifying her place at the top of the leaderboard.

The top four were asked to return and compete in the Final Round, including Jaclyn Mazzarella and her own Lodit, who climbed three spots to sit second overall with a two-round score of 171, and Jennifer Giles Morton aboard her own Cavalier with a total score of 167. Phlipot’s solid performances earned her the final spot in the work-off with a 166.

On her strategy going into the test, Perry explained, "I didn’t want to do anything stupid; I wanted to be smart. Since I don’t know him well yet, my goal was to set us up for success, leave no questions, and take no prisoners. I gave it my all in the ring, and Thunder made it easy."

After the conclusion of the Final Round, Perry and Riviera were crowned champions, taking home top honors. Mazzarella, of Middlefield, Connecticut, claimed Reserve, and Morton, of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, rounded out the top three.

Reflecting on her win, Perry said, "This feels incredible,” Perry reflected on her win. “I’ve never won anything like this before." She added, "It’s such a great experience to see Amateurs get a real shot at something meaningful. I’ve loved competing indoors, but as a working Amateur, having another attainable goal beyond the traditional circuit is exciting. Especially in Equitation where I can’t point chase, having a goal like this, something tangible I could aim for, has been amazing. I’m on cloud nine. Thunder was with me the whole way through the class, stepping up exactly when I asked him to. It felt incredible."

Earning Best Equitation Horse Overall and coming in sixth overall was Hyperion Du Stiquot, owned by River Hollow Enterprises, LLC, and ridden by Jennifer Kemp.

The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs is a three-round class that combines the precision of Equitation and the handiness of Hunters over a course set at 3’. The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs is open to any Amateur rider that has placed first, second or third in Adult Equitation classes at 2’9” or higher, or 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal class, Taylor Harris Insurance Adult Medal class, and Ariat National Adult Medal class at a competition with a start date of June 1 and an end date 45 days prior to the Championship date. Riders must be an active USHJA Amateur member at the time of competition in order to compete.

The West Final will take place during the National Sunshine Series at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, October 29-November 2.

The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Split Rock Jumping Tour team for hosting the Classic; to Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and Award Sponsor Essex Classics.

For more information about the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs visit ushja.org/Gladstone.

USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs - East Results

Rider | Horse | Trainer | Owner

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

Photos: Winslow Photography