A Storybook Start to the 2026 Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships

Las Vegas, Nev.—Nov. 11, 2026—Competitors have returned to the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the 2026 competition hosted by Desert International Horse Park. Now in its eighth year, the championships will welcome more than 830 entries competing for over $350,000 in prize money across 45 divisions spanning rated and affiliate Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation competition, from November 9-15.

$25,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby

The first featured Hunter win of the week went to Jamie Sailor and Love Story on Tuesday evening, November 10. From a field of 31 entries, Sailor piloted the 8-year-old Oldenburg, owned by KHC Farms Inc., to victory in the $25,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, which marks the first of three $25,000 National Hunt and Go Derby classes offered throughout the week.

Love Story’s performance over the Skip Bailey-designed Hunt and Go course earned the gelding scores of 90 in the Classic phase and 92 in the Handy phase from judges Chance Arakelian and Mark Jungherr. That total score of 182 held up atop the leaderboard by a large margin, giving “Romeo” and Sailor the win. Second place with a score of 173 went to Nicole Bourgeois and Stout, owned by Hilary Sosne. Rounding out the top three with a 172.5 total score were Alex Heimann and Krista Blew’s Ideal.

For the win, Sailor was also named the Leading Professional National Hunter Derby Rider.

“Being a Hunt and Go format, I knew I just wanted to keep him calm and relaxed,” said Sailor, who hails from Moorpark, California, in Zone 10. “He's very handy. So, the first [phase] I really wanted to show off just a nice smooth pace because he has a beautiful canter. I tried to be just a little more conservative and just show off the big stride but not really put a lot of pressure on him. Then when I got to the Handy part, I was able to kind of turn and burn with the slow canter, and he just followed me so beautifully. I'm so proud of him. He's only 8, and we've had a pretty good year. For him to come out here and win this is a big deal for him. I'm really, really proud of him.”

For Sailor, the win only adds to her already great experience at a horse show that she says she looks forward to each year.

“Las Vegas is my favorite show!” said Sailor, who has now earned numerous wins in both the Hunter and Jumper rings at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center. “I think it's just such a different atmosphere. It's indoors, which we don't really get to experience in the West Coast at all really. The footing has always been amazing, and the jumps are beautiful. I think it's really important to come here and see where you're at in your riding and see where these horses are. So, like I said, for him to come out here and shine is a huge deal for me.”

The week continues with $167,000 in rated Hunter prize money, highlighted by championships in 18 sections and several feature classes, including a $25,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby for Junior/Amateur riders. New for this year are the rated 2’6” Low Adult Amateur Hunter and 2’6” Low Children’s Hunter sections, along with a $25,000 USHJA 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby. The USEF/USHJA National Jumper Championships will feature 10 sections ranging from 1.00m to 1.40m height and offer $168,000 in prize money to Junior, Amateur, and Open competitors. Rated competition also includes three Junior and Amateur age-group Equitation divisions, along with the IHSA/USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal Final – West.

This year's Affiliate Championships will bring together riders nominated by 29 USHJA Affiliate Organizations nationwide, along with five competitors who earned their place through the Outreach Backstage Pass program. More than 250 entries are expected to vie for $17,000 in prize money across 14 championship sections, including Hunter and Equitation classes at 2' and 2'6" and Jumper sections ranging from .70m to .90m.

Beyond the competition arena, exhibitors and spectators can take advantage of a variety of free educational experiences offered during the week. Programming includes a Judge with the Judge session, sport psychology presentations with Dr. Jennifer Speisman, and guided course walks led by top Hunter and Jumper professionals.

The USHJA thanks the Desert International Horse Park team for hosting the Championships and longtime Title Sponsor Marshall+Sterling. Special thanks also go to Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti, Stridefull, and Exhibitor’s; and Championship Sponsors Essex Classics, Human Touch, Prize Possessions, RingSide Pro, SmartEquine, GumBits, and the US Equestrian.

Live streaming coverage of all classes is available on USEF Network, and complete results are available here.

For more information about the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships, visit ushja.org/NationalChampionships

Press Release: Desert International Horse Park and USHJA

Photos: Andrew Ryback Photography, Terisé Cole/USHJA