Top Honors Awarded at the Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships - West
Thermal, Calif.—Nov. 2, 2026—The Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships - West welcomed over 30 athletes from Zones 8, 9, and 10 to Desert International Horse Park's National Sunshine Series 1, held October 28-November 1. Competitors contested 1.30/1.35m and 1.40/1.45m divisions, earning points toward both Team and Individual honors.
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1.30/1.35m Team GOLD: Snowman Wendy Brownlee | Contana | Zone 10 Erin Prutow | Edelweiss | Zone 10 Jialin Xu Miss | Moneypenny | Zone 10 Camryn Chalmers | Golden Cygano JAP | Zone 10
Amanda McConnell | Ice Tea | Zone 8 Grace Gallagher | Ragnar | Zone 8 Sierra Warner | Casaltino Denfer | Zone 8 Allison Kroff | Imara M | Zone 8
Anna Le Grix | Babouche van't Coseveld Z | Zone 10 Parker Abe | Powerball 31 | Zone 10 Vincent Lin | Aconit 18 | Zone 10 Jill Humphrey | Linda BF | Zone 10
1.30/1.35m Individual GOLD: Jamie Barge | Ross Vita | Zone 10 |
1.40/1.45m Team GOLD: Balbuco Jan Humphrey | Replica PR | Zone 10 Danielle Morrow | Navajo van de Padenborre | Zone 10 Darcy Hurley | Unique MB | Zone 10 Laura Hite | Aviator Z | Zone 10
Natasha Ferrara | Tailormade Chazetta Blue | Zone 10 Jennifer Vancheri-Porter | Laithinus | Zone 10 Sophia Austin | K'Yandro | Zone 10 Grace Wahlberg | Cruise Quality | Zone 10
Karen Kang | Lugana 111 | Zone 10 Kennedy Chang | Edonna D'Udine | Zone 10 Allison Kroff | T-Quick Hurricane Z | Zone 8 Sierra Warner | Valdez | Zone 8
1.40/1.45m Individual GOLD: Natasha Ferrara | Tailormade Chazetta Blue | Zone 10 |
"It's been such a fun week. I love doing this competition; I did it last year with my other mare. I was just really happy with Rossi. She just jumped so well this week," said Barge, who earned the Individual Gold Medal in the 1.30/1.35m section. "I think it's a good experience for the horses to be able to do a Championship-type format at a smaller height when they're young and coming up. That way, if they do ride for the team later, they don't have to start at 1.50m in the Development Tour. I think USHJA has done a good job of creating programs for young riders and young horses to bring them along, so if they ever get to that stage, it's not a shock—it's like 'Oh, this is how it's done.'"
The Platinum Jumper Championships are part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program. The Program serves as the entry point for the Show Jumping Athlete Pathway, a joint USHJA-US Equestrian effort that identifies and nurtures Jumping athletes as they advance through the sport to enhance future success for Olympic and international teams representing the United States.
The USHJA sends a special thank you to Chefs d'Equipe Beth Nielsen, Debbi Long, Sean Lecki, and Ali Nilforushan for their leadership and support throughout the Championships.
The Markel/USHJA Platinum Jumper Championships are open to Juniors, Amateurs, and Professional riders at the 1.30/1.35m and 1.40/1.45m levels. Participants are recognized as USHJA Platinum Jumper Riders, with individual medalists recognized as USHJA Show Jumping Platinum Athletes.
The USHJA extends special thanks to the team at the Desert International Horse Park for hosting this Championship. The USHJA also thanks official sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti, and Stridefull; title sponsor Markel Insurance; and supporting sponsor Essex Classics.
Photos: High Desert Sport Photo
