USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships – East, Presented by Frank & Eileen, Conclude with Low Adult Amateur Hunter 2’6” and Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6”​ Champions

Lexington, Ky.—June 28, 2026—The USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships - East, presented by Frank & Eileen concluded on June 28 during the USHJA Amateur Festival – East, hosted by Split Rock Jumping Tour, in Lexington, Kentucky, with championship titles awarded in the 2’6” and 3’6” divisions. Amy Hanes and High Society captured the Low Adult Amateur Hunter 2’6” Championship and the overall Grand Champion title, while Mark Dorfman and Can’t Touch This HS earned the Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6” Championship. 

Low Adult Amateur Hunter 2’6” Championship

The Low Adult Amateur Hunter 2’6” Championship featured a field of 53 entries competing for top honors across the division. Earning the overall championship title, the 50+ age group honors, and the coveted Grand Champion title was Amy Hanes, of Pasadena, California, in Zone 10, aboard High Society, owned by Michael Britt-Leon, with a winning overall score of 262.14. The pair showcased consistency throughout the competition to secure the tricolor, topping the Classic and Handy Rounds.

"My favorite part of the entire Festival experience was getting to come all the way from California," Hanes said. "I actually started riding with Michael because my daughter wanted to ride with him, and I thought it would be something we could do together. Since then, he’s invited me to events like this, and the Split Rock venue was just surreal. Everything from the ring and crew to the announcers was kind, welcoming, and fun. The food and overall experience were amazing, and I feel so blessed to have been here."

"Winning the overall 2’6” division today means a lot to me," Hanes continued. "Last year I didn’t perform my best, so coming back this year, I was very nervous. I really had to calm myself down, listen to the feedback I was getting, and try to apply as much of it as possible. I’m so excited that I was able to come through for my team."

Libby Gordon, of Charlotte, North Carolina, in Zone 3, secured reserve honors aboard her own Allbright, with an overall score of 259.11, highlighted by second-place finishes in the Classic and Under Saddle and third in the Handy Round.

The 18–35 title went to Hannah Eddlemon, of Gainesville, Florida, in Zone 4, aboard Masterpiece, owned by Ted Wright, on a score of 258.872. The 36–49 championship was earned by Carolyn Cole, of New Berlin, Illinois, in Zone 5, riding her own Take Note, with a total of 246.48.

Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6”​ Championship

The Amateur Owner Hunter 3’6” Championship brought together 17 horse-and-rider combinations to compete for top honors. Mark Dorfman, of Atlanta, Georgia, in Zone 4, and his own Can’t Touch This HS earned an overall score of 257.85 to claim the overall championship and the 36+ age group title. Their winning performance included a first-place finish in the Classic, second in the Handy, and third Under Saddle.

“I've had [Cant Touch This HS] for just under two years, and we purchased him as a horse for me to do 3’6” Amateurs on. 
He's an amazing horse. He likes to study all the jumps. His ears are always forward,” Dorfman said of his mount. “He also competed in the International Hunter Derby Championships last year with my trainer, Michael Britt-Leon, and he actually finished first in the tier II results. He loves being here, and I look forward to him coming back in August.”

“This is a wonderful event. I think there are so many competitors in these divisions, and so many really nice horses as well, so it's nice that a competition like this was created to kind of mimic what has been done for the Juniors,” he continued.

Overall reserve honors and the 18-35 age group champion title were awarded to Katelyn Martin, of Tampa, Florida, in Zone 4, riding her own Relevé, with a total score of 252.47. The pair placed second in the Classic and third in the Handy Round to secure the reserve tricolor.

The American Quarter Horse High Score Award, presented by AQHA with Judy Canfield Power and Rick and Lori Bucholz, was awarded to Sweet N Fabulous, owned by Sarah Elder Chabot, of Maryville, Tennessee, in Zone 4, in recognition of the highest-scoring American Quarter Horse of the competition. The pair finished on a three-round score of 122.99 in the Low Adult Amateur Hunter 2’6” Championship.

Held bicoastally, the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships provide Amateur Hunter riders with a national championship experience across four divisions: 2’6” Low Adult Amateur, 3’ Adult Amateur, 3’3” Amateur Owner, and 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunters. Each Championship includes three phases—Under Saddle, a Classic Round, and a Handy Round—and riders qualify by earning champion or reserve at a USEF-licensed Channel I or Channel II competition. The West Championships will be held during National Sunshine Series I at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, on October 28–November 1.

The USHJA extends its thanks to the host, Split Rock Jumping Tour; Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti, and StrideFull; Presenting Sponsor Frank & Eileen; Live Stream Presenting Sponsor Windsor Stables; and Supporting Sponsors Essex Classics, RingSide Pro, GumBits, SmartEquine, and Sidelines.

For more information about the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships, visit ushja.org/AmateurChampionships.

Photos: Winslow Photography