Junior Hunter Finals - East

Lexington, Ky. – The first day of summer arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park on Sunday, June 21, and with it came a new set of champions. The 2026 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East came to a close with four 15 & Under division titles decided, alongside the prestigious 3'6" and 3'3" overall grand championships. After four days of competition in the Walnut Ring and Rolex Stadium, the crowning moments of the 2026 JHNC did not disappoint. Large...

There is a reason Grier Van Rooyen's barn nickname for Oswald van de Leeuwerk is "Ozzy." The 2014 Belgian Warmblood (Indouglas van het Bevrijdthof x Persinaa), owned by Calogera Borrello, has a rockstar personality as big as his jump. Van Rooyen and Oswald van de Leeuwerk (©US Equestrian) Van Rooyen grew up around horses from the start. Riding runs in the family as her mother rides, and Grier was in the saddle by age four. She grew up in Wyoming where she and her mother spent time in...

Lexington, Ky. – The sun was shining at the Kentucky Horse Park on Saturday, June 20, as day three of the Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East got underway in spectacular fashion. With blue skies overhead, the 15 & Under divisions took to the Walnut Ring for their first classic rounds while the Large and Small Junior Hunter 3'6" 15 & Under divisions also competed in the iconic Rolex Stadium for their under-saddle classes. Large Junior Hunter 15...

Lexington, Ky. – The first 2026 national champions emerged on the second day of competition at the Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East on June 19. All four of the sections for the 16-17 age group tackled a challenging test over Skip Bailey’s handy course at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Walnut Ring. Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17 National Champion: Presley Wade and Circa Presley Wade and Circa (©US Equestrian) Overnight leaders...

The moment 12-year-old Caden Nolt swung his leg over the newly minted off-the-track Thoroughbred; he knew it was meant to be. Since the beginning of their partnership, the pair have paved the way for fellow Thoroughbreds competing within the hunter discipline and continue to outshine fellow competitors in the ring. Caden and Gio (Photo courtesy of the Nolt family) It’s not most parents’ dream to give their child a Thoroughbred that had only finished racing three months prior, but...

Lexington, Ky. – Despite a rainy start to the morning, the 2026 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East (JHNC) got underway Thursday, June 18, at the Kentucky Horse Park, where the 16-17 age groups wasted no time making their mark in the first classic rounds of the week. The courses, designed by Skip Bailey, are set in the Walnut Ring while the under-saddle classes take place in the Rolex Stadium. 3'6" Large Junior Hunter 16-17 Presley Wade and Circa...

When Truth Samuels walks into the show ring aboard A Colorful Affair, heads tend to turn. Iggy and Truth at the 2025 Adequan/USEF Junior Hunter Championship – East (©Winslow Photography, Courtesy of the Samuels family) Known around the barn as "Iggy," the striking Danish pinto stands out in a sea of bay and chestnut hunters. His unique coloring draws compliments from fellow competitors and spectators alike, but according to Samuels, it's what's behind those colorful markings...

Lexington, Ky. – Ten National Champions will be crowned this week at the Kentucky Horse Park. More than 400 junior athletes and horse entries are set to compete in the 2026 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East (JHNC), hosted by Split Rock Jumping Tour. This year marks the 25th anniversary of championships, established in 2001 as a showcase of the best junior hunters in the nation while also providing riders the opportunity to meet and spend time with...

From the moment she could talk, Savanna McMichael had one request for anyone who would listen: a real pony. Not a stuffed animal from Build-A-Bear, a real one. Now at 17, the O'Fallon, Missouri, junior hunter rider has turned the early obsession into a decorated competitive career, a Division I college commitment, and a partnership with one very special horse named Latido. A Childhood Dream Becomes Reality Savanna's love of horses was apparent almost from birth. By age three, she was...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championships – East Grants, generously provided by Split Rock Jumping Tour. ©US Equestrian The grants are awarded to ten participants competing at the 2026 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championships – East at the Kentucky Horse Park from June 17-21, 2026, in Lexington, Ky. They will cover the costs associated with one stall fee, division...

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian would like to invite those eligible to apply for the 2026 USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East Grants. The grants, provided by Split Rock Jumping Tour, will be awarded to ten (10) Junior Hunter National Championship East participants and will cover the costs associated with one (1) stall fee, division fees, ticketed schooling, and other standard showing fees (excluding third party vendor costs). ©Avery Wallace/US Equestrian “Split Rock...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce updated specifications for the 2026 Adequan ® /USEF Junior Hunter National Championships (JHNC), which were approved by the Executive Committee on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. The full updated 2026 USEF Junior Hunter National Championship Specifications document can be found here . Some of the noteworthy changes are outlined below. Updated Qualification Period Beginning with the 2026 championships, the 12-month qualifying period has...