USHJA Hunter Team Challenge Wraps Up a Successful Season Across All Four Regions

Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 3, 2025—In its fifth year, the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge concluded after nearly 110 combinations vied for medals across the Central, Northeast, West, and Southeast regions of the country. 

"This accomplishment means so much because it reflects all of the time, effort, and dedication we’ve put into both our horses and ourselves," remembered Avery Roper. "It’s not just about the ribbon—it’s about proving to ourselves that hard work and trust in our horses truly pays off."

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The Central Challenge saw 29 riders compete and was held July 16-20 at Lamplight Summertime III in Wayne, Illinois. 

Gold Medal Team

  • Avery Roper, of Hobart, Indiana, on Samantha Roper's Caspen
  • Florence Waite, of Winnetka, Illinois, riding her own Cobalt
  • Alison Roper, of Lowell, Indiana, on Roper Farms LLC's Synchronicity
  • Violet Macin, of Glencoe, Illinois, riding her own Royal Sunrise

Silver Medal Team

  • Sofia Barnett, of Evanston, Illinois, and her own Azaria
  • Brynn Huberty, of Mount Prospect, Illinois, and Blue A Kiss, owned by Anna Huberty
  • Violet Macin on Leslie Macin's Beachin'
  • Samantha Roper, of Hobart, Indiana, riding her own Vadim

Bronze Medal Team

  • Anna Huberty, of Mount Prospect, Illinois, on her own Pebble Beach
  • Matilda Gibson, of Omaha, Nebraska, riding her own Far Niente
  • Avery Roper riding Samantha Roper's Ella Enchanted
  • Savannah Jurs, of Union, Illinois, on Corduroy, owned by Christine Jurs

"Winning the team challenge felt really special because I got to help lift my whole team into first place," said Macin. "I really liked having teammates from different barns and cheering on riders who are sometimes my competitors."

The Northeast competition saw 30 riders compete and was held July 30-August 3 at New York Horse & Pony in Saugerties, New York. 

Gold Medal Team

  • Erin Keane, of Farmingdale, New York, and Randillo, owned by Gowe Farms
  • Jennifer Bryant, of Canton, Connecticut, on Fox Creek's Dark Knight, owned by Kate Cianfaglione
  • Nola Tingle, of Fayetteville, New York, riding her own Chacco Lido
  • Aubrey Borgesi, of East Syracuse, New York, and Morrisville College Foundation, Inc.'s Heuristic 20

Silver Medal Team

  • Sophia Ferolano, of Granby, Connecticut, and Amalia, owned by Ariel Grange
  • Kate Cianfaglione, of Canton, Connecticut, riding Jennifer Bryant's Polaris
  • Kate McEnroe, of Andover, Massachusetts, and Charmed, owned by Monica Hunt

Bronze Medal Team

  • Niffer Cancian, of Concord, Massachusetts, and Mary Cancian's Aramis Z
  • Eva Hankowski, of Portland, Maine, riding her own When September Ends
  • Bianca Matos, of Manchester, New Hampshire, on Con Sordino, owned by Katherine Shulenberger
  • Gabrielle Ferraiolo, of Clinton, Connecticut, and her own Rock Star

"Winning meant more than just the ribbons," added Tingle. "It was about all the time, effort, and teamwork that went into it. I’m so proud of what we accomplished together, and it’s definitely something I’ll never forget."

The West Challenge saw 13 riders compete during National Sunshine Series II in Thermal, California, over November 5-9. 

Gold Medal Team

  • Joann Niffenegger, of Corona, California, and her own Syncopation
  • Amy Brubaker, of Santa Ynez, California, and Millennium Farm Inc.'s Forsure
  • Ashley Andersen, of Huntington Beach, California, and her own Midsummer Reverie

Silver Medal Team

  • Abigail Steller, of Santa Monica, California, and Summerhouse Farm LLC's Mercurius II S
  • Claire Sears, of Claremont, California, and Catira, owned by Mary Gatti
  • Evie Becky, of Pacific Palisades, California, and Becky Equestrian LLC's Just Apple
  • Kristian Lupinski, of Lafayette, California, and her own KF Prettymuch

Bronze Medal Team

  • Martha Price, of Nampa, Idaho, and her own Oktoberfest
  • Amy Brubaker and Big Business, owned by Rebecca Glynn's
  • Seattle Lajoie, of Coto de Caza, California, and her own Just Heavenly

"It was so fun to participate and be a member of the winning team," remarked Andersen. "Our sport is often an individual sport, so it is a nice change getting to participate in the Hunters with a team. It makes showing more fun getting to cheer on and support your teammates."

The Southeast competition saw 35 riders compete during Jump For The Children II in Mill Spring, North Carolina, over November 12-16. 

Gold Medal Team

  • Alena Hodges, of Wilmington, North Carolina, on AC's Ivory Dragon, owned by Veronica Barringer
  • Maggie Sozzi, of Charlotte, North Carolina, riding her own Home Team
  • Lauren Hedley, of Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, on her own Rüdiger Blue
  • Sofia Parise, of Sharpsburg, Georgia, and her own Code of Honor

Silver Medal Team

  • Sarah Thompson, of Henrico, Virginia, riding her own Monopoly 
  • Hayden Hunter, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, on Madeline Rubin's Colin MR
  • Heather Conder, of Camden, South Carolina, and her own Hadrian HVH

Bronze Medal Team

  • Bailey Brandenburg, of Tyrone, Georgia, and her own Kingston TM
  • Caison Wright, of Raleigh, North Carolina, on her own Dumbledore
  • Paige Wolfe, of Sherrils Ford, North Carolina, on her own Due North
  • Elle Nutting, of Hickory, North Carolina, riding her own After Hours

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The USHJA would like to thank Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, and Parlanti. A special thank you also goes to the teams at HITS, Desert International Horse Park, Triangle Farms Horse Shows, and Tryon International Equestrian Center for hosting the Challenges.

Beginning in 2026, the Hunter Team Challenge will transition to the USHJA Zone Hunt & Go Team Challenge. This rebranded program will bring the team competition experience to the Zone level, allowing riders to compete across varying fence heights while earning bonus points toward USHJA Zone Horse of the Year standings. Additional details, including the full 2026 calendar, will be available soon. Learn more here.

Photos: Andrew Ryback Photography, ESI Photography, High Desert Sport Photo, and Kirsten Hannah Photography