Tatum and Just Apple are Just Amazing in $150,000 USHJA WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular
Thermal, Calif.—Mar. 14, 2026—Violet Tatum, 17, made history on Friday, March 13, by becoming the first Junior rider to win the $150,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider West Coast Hunter Spectacular. Tatum and Just Apple, owned by Becky Equestrian LLC, led the class from beginning to end to take home the victory during Desert Circuit 10.
The prestigious class – held on the West Coast since 2013 – attracted 58 entries for the opening, Classic Hunter Round on Friday afternoon at Desert International Horse Park, judged by Connie Dorsch, Richard Slocum, William Sparks, and Steve Whal. Following the first round, the field was narrowed to the top 18 horses for a Handy Hunter Round under the lights of the Grand Prix Stadium.
Tatum and Just Apple’s opening round over the Meghan Rawlins-designed course earned them an average score of 90 and put them on top of the leaderboard heading into Friday evening’s Handy.
“I was definitely very nervous!” said Tatum, of Los Angeles, California, in Zone 10, of coming back in the first-place position. “I've never really been on top in a professional class like that.”
Tatum’s nerves certainly did not show, however, as she and Just Apple returned to earn a second-round score of 87.625 for an overall, winning average score of 88.81.
Second place with scores of 89.25 and 87.75 for an overall average of 88.50 went to Halie Robinson, of Santa Barbara, California, in Zone 10, and Simba de Vinck, owned by Big Picture, LLC. Finishing in third was Zone 9 rider Mia Campf, of Aurora, Oregon, and In The End, owned by Lynn Olson. The pair earned scores of 87 and 87.50 for an 87.25 average.
“I was very, very happy with my round,” said Tatum. “I trusted my horse. It was incredible, and I was just very, very happy with the outcome.”
While Tatum and the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding looked every bit the veteran partnership, Tatum had not jumped a course aboard Just Apple prior to Thursday.
“My friend, Evie Becky, she asked me if I wanted to ride Apple in the Spectacular, and of course I would love to,” explained Tatum. “I do not know him, but he's a great horse. I trust him through everything. He's just incredible.”
The final WCHR Hunter Spectacular of 2026, the WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular, will be held on Saturday, July 11, at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, Michigan.
The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Desert International Horse Park team for hosting the Spectacular and to Official Sponsors Nutrena, Parlanti, Herm Sprenger, and Stridefull; Supporting Sponsor of the USHJA Hunter Championships, GumBits; and the Official Education Partner of the USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Spectaculars, ICL Academy.
For more information about the USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Program, visit ushja.org/WCHR.
$100,000 USHJA WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular Results
Horse, Rider, Owner
Round 1 Avg. | Round 2 Avg. | Final Score
1. Violet Tatum | Just Apple | Becky Equestrian, LLC
90 | 87.625 | 88.81
2. Halie Robinson | Simba de Vinck | Big Picture, LLC
89.25 | 87.75 | 88.5
3. Mia Campf | In The End | Lynn Olson
87 | 87.5 | 87.25
4. Simon Schroeder | Esquire | The Bridgeport Group, LLC
87.25 | 86.5 | 86.88
5. Jenny Karazissis | Big Shot | Dulcie Lou Morris
82.625 | 91 | 86.81
5. Karli Postel | Cavaletto Loma Z | West Coast Equine Partners, LLC
86.625 | 87 | 86.81
7. Emily Esau Williams | Star Quality | McKee Sport Horses, LLC
87.125 | 84 | 85.56
8. Simon Schroeder | Santino | Conway Hill Farms, LLC
85.5 | 85.25 | 85.38
9. Nicole Bourgeois | Mc Queen | Barbara Lovre
83.625 | 86.5 | 85.06
10. Chelsea Brittner | Harriett X | Dana Le & Joey Pedroni
85 | 83.5 | 84.25
11. Nina Alario | Oganos Edition | Estancia Farms Inc.
86 | 82 | 84
12. Tasha Visokay | Mister Carrera | Sophia Donald
82.5 | 84.25 | 83.38
Photos: High Desert Sport Photo
Press Release: USHJA and Desert International Horse Park
