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 

Overnight leaders Presley Wade (Wellington, Fla.) and Circa, a 2012 Holsteiner mare (Cassall x U2 II) owned by Wade Equestrian Farms, LLC, secured the national championship for the Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17 division after a competitive class. 

“Wins like this mean a lot because we've put in so much hard work together over the past year,” said Wade. “It's incredibly rewarding to see that effort pay off.”  

Course designer Skip Bailey created a handy course that offered several options for riders to be strategic and choose how to show off their horses’ abilities, including a trot jump and several fences that offered multiple approaches. 

“Going into the arena, I wanted to stay consistent and level-headed,” Wade said about her handy course. “I wanted a nice, smooth round and hoped to stay in the top four or five.We landed right in fourth, which was exactly what I was aiming for.” 

When asked about her time with Circa, Wade said, “It's been a long journey with her, and I'm really proud of her. She's handled everything so well, and I'm proud of myself, too, for staying calm under the pressure.”  

With three exquisite phases, Case Closed, a 2017 Belgian Warmblood mare (I'm Special de Muze x Hera van de Kruissstraete) owned by Serenity Wolk and ridden by Violet Tatum (Los Angeles, Calif.), secured the reserve national champion title. Kapatero, a 2015 Warmblood gelding owned by Alice Goodwin and shown by Olivia Sweetnam (Wellington, Fla.), rounded out the top three ending on a 265.5. 

3’6” Small Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17 National Champions: Elizabeth Rinehart and Soireé.  

Elizabeth Rinehart (Carmel, Ind.) and Soireé, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Samba Hit I x Contara) owned by Charlotte Rossetter, maintained their

overnight lead to win the national championship title for the Small Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17 division on a 263.8 

“It's super special,” Rinehart said about the significance of their big win. “This is my third year competing here, and even before that, I came to watch my brother show here. So, it’s really special to be able to come back and win today.” 

When asked about her partnership with Soireé, Rinehart said, “Soireé is a very sweet horse. He's super cuddly back at the barn and he's so much fun to ride. He always tries his best. He's a little younger, but that really doesn't affect him.”  

Emma Bao (Ottawa, O.N.) aboard her own Bakers Dozen, a 2015 Holsteiner gelding (Dinkin x Cormint), earned the reserve national champion title with a score of 262.3. Lilly Herzog (Pepper Pike, Ohio) and Styles, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Quadros x Virginia VIII) owned by Rivers Edge, finished third in overall placings with a total score of 260.4 

Large Junior Hunter 3’3” 16-17 National Champion: Ivy Bonds and Lysander 

Ivy Bonds (Aiken, S.C.) aboard Lysander, a 2015 Oldenburg gelding (Lyjanero x Perdita), owned by Holland Equestrian, LLC, clinched the overall national championship title in the large division of the Junior Hunter 3’3” 16-17, with a cumulative score of 255.7.  

Winning the championship meant a lot to Bonds after getting to know Lysander in a short time frame. “This was definitely a big one for me,” she said. “I just got on this horse on Monday, so it was a lot of fun and a really big accomplishment for both of us.”  

Bonds described the moment she felt most proud of in the handy course as, “fence three to the four A-B combination, when I really locked in and got him going. From there, everything felt great.”  

Emerson Nolte (Downingtown, Pa.) and her own Blue Jay Way, a 2016 Oldenburg gelding (Cornet Obolensky x Esperanza), took reserve national champion followed closely by Alexander Adkins (Fishers, Ind.) and MTM Favored, his own 2016 Warmblood gelding (Eras De Ste Heremelle x Vaso).  

 

Small Junior Hunter 3’3” 16-17 National Champion: Tegan Price and Animated 

Tegan Price (Aiken, S.C.) and Animated, a 2014 Oldenburg gelding (Catoki x Cara), owned by B R Farms, LLC, secured the national champion title

for the 3’3” division of the Small Junior Hunters 16-17.  

When asked about his favorite moment in the handy phase, Price said, “I was most proud of our hand gallop. I think that was the highlight of our handy course.” 

Catie Karpowich (Chesterfield, Mo.) and Romano, her own 2015 Oldenburg gelding (Rubin Star N x Love Melodie), secured the reserve champion title. Sarasen Jablon (Aiken, S.C.) and her own Kingstown, a 2013 Holsteiner gelding (Catoki x W-Carbella), followed closely behind to finish third place overall. 

Competition for the 15 & Under begins tomorrow in the Walnut Ring with the 3’6” Large and Small Junior Hunter Classic rounds beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET with the 3’3” Large and Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under Classic rounds to follow. The Large and Small Junior Hunters 3’3” 16-17 will wrap up their week with under-saddle classes in the Rolex Stadium beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET. 

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, with subscribers and members able to watch replays on demand.  

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