Del Mar, Calif. – The last day of competition at the 2026 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – West arrived at the HITS Del Mar Horse Park on Sunday, June 26, and with it came a new set of national champions. The 2026 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – West came to a close with the prestigious 3'6" and 3'3" overall grand championships and after three days of competition on the iconic grass field and in the Main Hunter Ring, the crowning moments of the 2026 JHNC did not disappoint.
3’6” Overall Grand Champion – Hailey Eynon and Castelino 5
Hailey Eynon (Rolling Hill Estates, Calif.) and Castelino 5 rose to the occasion, claiming the overall 3'6" grand championship title at the 2026 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – West. The 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Castelan II x Antaria), owned by KHC Farms, LLC, proved himself one of the most competitive horses in the division throughout the week.
After winning both their Classic and Handy rounds, the crowning moment was made even sweeter knowing the work Eynon had put in, which was reflected by their results in the ring “I'm very grateful. Last year, I was leading overall in the Small 3’3” 16-17, and then my handy didn't go to plan. So, I was really hoping to have a nice round this time around, and ‘Castle’ helped me secure that.”
With the win in one hand and the reins in the other, Eynon couldn’t be more grateful for her partner Castle. “Our first ever show was the Gladstone last year together,” she explained. “He was originally a catch ride for me and we just fell in love with him.”
Eynon and Castle were awarded the Monarch International Perpetual Trophy, donated by Show Circuit Magazine, and the Magic Word Perpetual Trophy, donated by Karen Kay, as the Overall Grand Champion 3'6" Junior Hunter and Overall Large Junior Hunter 3’6” 16-17 Champion.
3’3” Overall Grand Champion – Sophia Donald and Mister Carrera
Sophia Donald (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) and her very own Mister Carrera, a 2017 KWPN gelding (Carrera VDL x Ibiza AK), stole the show with their outstanding performances in the 3’3” division at JHNC. After four years of attendance, Donald claimed the overall 3’3” Grand Championship title.
Last year, the duo won reserve champion in their respective division, and to return a year later and leave with the overall Grand Champion title is a remarkable feat. “It’s been a long time coming with him, so I’m very proud of him,” she said of the gelding, originally purchased as a rising young horse. “It’s awesome when all of your hard work can pay off, and I really feel like it did today.”
Donald didn’t earn this win alone; she had a herd of supporters cheering her on along the in-gate every step of the way and credits the teams at Wilmont Farms and Ingenium Farm for this win.
“Tasha [Visokay] has really built this horse from the ground up, so I credit her for all of ‘Mister’s’ success,” she said. “She’s truly amazing and is always there supporting many. Carol Willner has been a big part of my journey and has given me a lot of opportunities. So, I have an amazing support system, and I truly don’t think I would have been able to do it without them.”
As overall Grand Champion 3'3" Junior Hunter National Champions, Donald and Mister Carrera were awarded the Montserrat Perpetual Trophy donated by the Sonoma Horse Park.
Full Results | USEF Event Page
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