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 & Under 3'6" Classic
Charlotte Morassutti (Toronto, O.N.) and All Inklusive set the tone in the 3'6" Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under classic, delivering a clean and consistent round to claim the blue ribbon with a score of 261. The 2016 Holsteiner gelding (Adagio Detalm x Davina), owned by Ava Berman, proved an impressive partner throughout, and the pair emerged as the ones to beat heading into the under-saddle and handy phases. Kendall Dey and Jaguar, a 2020 KWPN (I'm Special de Muze x Sielottie), owned by Richard Rinehart, put together a strong performance to land in second with a 259.05, just under two points off the lead. Emi Richard (Middlefield, Conn.) rounded out the top three aboard Encore, a 2013 Selle Français gelding (Tsunami de Hus x Mouette de Cresnay), owned by Rivers Edge, finishing with a 254.1.
Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under 3'6” Classic
Kenzie Smith (Shoreham, N.Y.) and Call Me Cassy made a statement in the Small Junior Hunter 3'6" 15 & Under classic, producing a smooth and impressive round to claim the top score of 266.7. The 2018 Holsteiner mare (Cascadello x Leonie III), owned by Ashland Farms, head into the handy atop the overall standings. Sofia Hall (West Vancouver, B.C.) and Confidant, her own 2015 Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Korrada S), delivered a solid effort to land in second with a 260.4, more than six points back but well within striking distance heading into the next phase. Katherine Mercer (Wellington, Fla.) and Maui, a 2016 Oldenburg gelding (Crumble x Die Cera), owned by Frog Pond Stables, rounded out the top three with a 257.4, capping off a competitive class.
Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under 3'3" Classic
Paige Buzby (Chester Springs, Pa.) and A La Minute Z, her own 2018 Zangersheide gelding (A La Carte NRW x Unknown) impressed the judges with a consistent and polished round to claim the blue ribbon in the Large Junior Hunter 3'3" 15 & Under classic phase, earning a score of 259.6. The class was the largest of the day, drawing a field of 67 entries, making the victory all the more impressive. Sienna Rossano (Wellington, Fla.) and Mirage, a 2012 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Biscayo x Alberta), owned by Charlotte Rossetter, followed in second place with a strong 256.9. Hot on their heels in third was Grier Van Rooyen (Fair Hills, N.J.) aboard Oswald van de Leeuwerk, a 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding (Indouglas van het Bevrijdthof x Persinaa), owned by Calogera Borrello, finishing just 1.28 points back with a 255.62, a tight and exciting finish to a competitive class.
Small Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under Classic
In a competitive field of 42, Lacey Powers (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Small Love rose to the top of the Small Junior Hunter 3'3" 15 & Under classic, posting a winning score of 261.6. The 2013 Hanoverian mare (Chacco Blue x Wisilvia), owned by Elizabeth Reilly, Augusta Iwasaki, and Chris Iwasaki, was a picture of consistency throughout the round, and the pair head into the handy with momentum on their side. Hot on their heels in second was Elizabeth De Meric (Ocala, Fla.) aboard PS Call Me, her own 2013 Holsteiner mare (Casall x Charleen), finishing with a 255.3. Elizabeth Giokas (St. Louis, Mo.) and Carige, a 2004 Holsteiner gelding (Cassini I x Ocay), owned by Wesley Whitworth, rounded out the podium in third with a 252.3, keeping the top three tightly bunched heading into the last day of competition.
Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 15 & Under Under Saddle
Ashley McCaslin (Wellesley Hills, Mass.) and Swoon, a 2015 Belgian Warmblood mare (Unknown x Unknown), owned by Kimberly McCaslin, commanded the attention of the judges on the flat in the Large Junior Hunter 3'6" 15 & Under under-saddle class, claiming the top score of 267.87 in a field of 26. Campbell Cauthen (Lexington, Ky.) and Story Hour, a 2016 Hanoverian gelding (Casalico x Antonia), owned by Donald Stewart and Double E, LLC, were close behind in second with a 267.3, with .57 separating the top two in a razor-thin finish. Kenzie Smith (Shoreham, N.Y.) and Wonderlust, a 2017 Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Wunderfull), owned by Rivers Edge, rounded out the top three with a 264.9.
Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under 3’6” Under Saddle
Grace Stenbeck-Werner (North Salem, N.Y.) and Adler, a 2014 Oldenburg gelding (Cheetano x Abundantia von Basu), owned by Swede Ventures, LLC, took the top score of 269.7 in the Small Junior Hunter 3'6" 15 & Under under-saddle class, impressing the judges on the flat in a field of 14. India Kulkin (Santa Barbara, Calif.) with Timing, a 2016 Warmblood gelding (Comme il Faut x Amee), owned by Kulkin Equestrian, LLC, followed in second with a 265.7, with Ainsley Powers (Rye, N.Y.) and On Call, her own 2013 Holsteiner gelding (Conrato x Akela) rounding out the top three with a 264.3.
Competition comes to a close on Sunday, June 21, with the 15 & Under division completing the handy and under-saddle phases at 7:30 a.m. ET. Along with four new 15 & Under division champions, the overall grand champions of both the 3’6” and 3’3” divisions will be crowned.
Schedule and Full Results | USEF Event Page
How to Watch
The 2026 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East will be livestreamed on USEF Network. US Equestrian fans, subscribers, and members can access the live stream, and subscribers and members will be able to watch replays on demand.
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