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
The 3'6" Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division was the first to set the tone for the week and delivered. Presley Wade (Wellington, Fla.) and Circa, a 2012 Holsteiner mare (Cassall x U2 II) owned by Wade Equestrian Farms, LLC, rose to the occasion in the classic phase, earning the top score of 273.52, with a polished and flowing round, setting the bar early. Olivia Sweetnam (Wellington, Fla.) and Kapatero, a 2015 Warmblood gelding owned by Alice Goodwin, followed in second place with a strong performance of their own. Violet Tatum (Los Angeles, Calif.) rounded out the top three aboard Case Closed, a 2017 Belgian Warmblood mare (I'm Special de Muze x Hera van de Kruissstraete) owned by Serenity Wolk, capping off a competitive opening class.
The division's talent carried into the Rolex Stadium, where Georgia Spector (New York, N.Y.) aboard RSH Kallahan Z, a 2016 Zangersheide gelding (Vagabond de la Pomme x Ouverture), owned by Ellie Goodfriend, impressed the judges on the flat to claim the under-saddle win with a score of 266.3. Porter Campbell (Greenwich, Conn.) with Pursuit of Happyness, a 2015 Hanoverian gelding (Perigueux x Drossellklang’s Lady), owned by Jaquelyn Ventorino, finished closely behind and was just .2 points for second, with Taylor Cawley (Wellington, Fla.) and Bel Air, a 2013 Warmblood gelding (Unknown x Unknown), owned by Ellsworth Sporthorses, LLC, rounding out the top three.
3'6" Small Junior Hunter 16-17
The 3'6" Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division brought forward a deep field of 28 competitors, with Elizabeth Rinehart (Carmel, Ind.) ultimately rising to the top of the class. Rinehart and Soireé, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Samba Hit I x Contara), owned by Charlotte Rossetter, delivered a winning classic round with a score of 268.6, standing out in a highly competitive class. Lilly Herzog (Pepper Pike, Ohio) and Styles, a 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Quadros x Virginia VIII) owned by Rivers Edge, produced a smooth and fluid effort to claim second place. Just .1 point behind to round out the top three, was Emma Bao (Ottawa, O.N.) aboard Bakers Dozen, her own 2015 Holsteiner gelding (Dinkin x Cormint).
When the action shifted to the Rolex Stadium, Presley Wade and Leisure, a 2015 Hanoverian mare (Comte x Quanta Costa), owned by Wade Equestrian Farms, LLC, delivered a standout under saddle performance to claim the top score of 269.7. Elizabeth Rinehart and Soireé once again found themselves in the ribbons, finishing in second, with Lexi Dodson (Mississauga, O.N.) and Pinot del Sole, her own 2012 Italian Warmblood gelding (Canturano x Cassini I) rounding out the top three.
3'3" Large Junior Hunter 16-17
Anika Spaeth (Aiken, S.C.) and Modern Man, a 2016 Warmblood gelding (Casallco x Galdaire), owned by Sophia Graham, laid down a commanding performance in the 3'3" Large Junior Hunter 16-17 over-fences class, earning the top score of 265.6 to claim the win. Baylee Rowan (Little Compton, R.I.) and Fair Game, a 2010 Oldenburg mare (Diarado x Hauptstutbuch Gracia), completed a stellar round to land them in second place. Emerson Nolte (Downingtown, Pa.) rounded out the top three aboard Blue Jay Way, a 2015 Oldenburg gelding (Cornet Obolensky x Esperanza), owned by Teagan Smith, narrowly finishing behind the top two combinations.
3'3" Small Junior Hunter 16-17
The 3'3" Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division delivered a tight and competitive over-fences class, with Catie Karpowich (Chesterfield, Mo.) and Romano, her own 2015 Oldenburg gelding (Rubin Star N x Love Melodie). The combination earned a winning score of 265.8 with a smooth, consistent trip. Cate Urquhart (Florence, S.C.) and MTM Post Script, her own 2011 Warmblood mare (Cero x Graefinsandra), captured second place in the class, ahead of Tegan Price (Aiken, S.C.) and Animated, a 2013 Oldenburg gelding (Catoki x Cara), owned by B R Farms, LLC, rounded out the leaderboard in third.
Both the 3'6" and the 3’3” Large and Small Junior Hunter 16-17 National Championships will continue Friday, June 19, at 7:30 a.m. ET with the handy rounds.
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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