USHJA Announces Participants for 2026 Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals, Presented by East West Equine Sports Medicine, and Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals

Lexington, Ky.—Oct. 15, 2026—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the participants invited to this year’s USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals, presented by East West Equine Sports Medicine, which will be held at Midway University in Midway, Kentucky, November 6-8, and USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals, which will be held virtually November 4-21. 

Congratulations to the following members who were invited to compete: 

Horsemanship Quiz Challenge

  • Emily Arriaga of Zone 3*
  • Olivia D'Apolito of Zone 8*
  • Sarah Dinsmore of Zone 5
  • Skylar Fivecoat of Zone 4*
  • Madeline Hall of Zone 2
  • Coriander Houser of Zone 3
  • Amelia Lebsack of Zone 7
  • Michaela Munson of Zone 7
  • Carrie Murray of Zone 3*
  • Addison Perry of Zone 4*
  • Charlotte Powell of Zone 4*
  • Zoe Santilli of Zone 1
  • Clara Silva of Zone 6
  • Catherine Sun of Zone 1
  • Delaney Svensson of Zone 5
  • Kaitlynn Washington of Zone 2
  • Taya Wykert of Zone 10
  • Riley Chamblin of Zone 7*
  • Patricia Farmer of Canada
  • Emily Bruss of Zone 1
  • Katherine Nunez of Zone 4
  • Payton Gault of Zone 9*
  • Clara Westerfield of Zone 4
  • Ella Clark of Zone 4

Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge

  • Jen Jones of Zone 2*
  • Lauren Gramlich of Zone 3
  • Casondra Fivecoat of Zone 4*
  • Jessica Eastman of Zone 7
  • Alexandra Dennis-Renner of Zone 10
  • Susan Davidson of Zone 4
  • Isa Berdugo of Zone 2
  • Sarah Hallman-Luhn of Zone 9*
  • Madeline Rideout of Zone 2*
  • Meaghan Croteau of Zone 3*
  • Allie Calderon of Zone 4*
  • Kristen Forster of Zone 2
  • Megan Maleno of Zone 2*
  • Ellen Cooper of Zone 1
  • Ashlie Perry of Zone 4*
  • Leah Feldman of Zone 10
  • Lauren Simoneau of Zone 4*
  • Susannah Cooper of Zone 3
  • Alexander Miller of Zone 8*
  • Lilly Johnston of Zone 3*
  • Ashton Zullo of Zone 3
  • Jaymee Houser of Zone 3
  • Jamey Lebsack of Zone 7
  • Alexander Alston of Zone 5*

*Denotes members who also competed in the IHSA Team Challenge or USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Stable Challenge.

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The USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals is an in-person, multi-phase event that tests the top-scoring participants who advanced through Levels One and Two of the HQC online test. The competition consists of a written exam, horsemanship/identification exam, a practicum exam, and an interview. Scores from the written exam and the horsemanship/identification exam will be combined, and the 12 individuals with the highest combined scores will compete in Practicum A on the second day of Nationals. Finalists ranked 13th-24th based on their combined scores will compete in Practicum B on the second day of Nationals but will not be eligible for prizes. Prizes will be awarded to the highest-scoring participants in each phase, as well as to the overall top finishers. The top three overall finishers at HQC Nationals will also receive training grants to continue their equine education, supported by the USHJA Foundation.

Offered virtually, the USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals is a multi-phase event that consists of a written exam, an interview, and a final practicum that will require participants to demonstrate their mastery of horsemanship knowledge across a variety of topics. Prizes will be awarded to the highest-scoring participants in each phase, as well as to the overall top finishers.

East West Equine Sports Medicine provides four $250 grants to support Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals participants by helping offset travel and related expenses for those who qualify to compete. Applications close October 15, 2026.

The USHJA extends special thanks to USHJA Official Sponsors Stridefull, Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and Parlanti; Presenting Sponsor East West Equine Sports Medicine; Supporting Sponsors Essex Classics, Spy Coast Farm, and SmartEquine. 

The Horsemanship Quiz Challenge is supported in part by grants from US Equestrian and the USHJA Foundation. To help support the HQC program, click here to make a charitable donation today.

Learn more about the USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge at ushja.org/HQC and ushja.org/AdultHQC.

Photos: Rachel Milewski/USHJA