Under the sunny skies that Southern California is known for, Junior Hunter riders took the field for a second day of competition at the USEF Junior Hunter National Championships - West Coast. The riders competed Tuesday over Scott Starnes' Handy Hunter course and in the under saddle portion of the competition. Wednesday, they came back for the Classic phase to determine who would go home with the Junior Hunter Finals title.

The judges-Sue Ashe, Mindy Darst and Leo Conroy-were impressed with the accuracy and skill of the competitors. Starnes provided the riders a chance to demonstrate the skills that they had been perfecting all year and allowed them the ability to showcase their mounts' form.

The Large Older winner and Overall Winner, Hannah Goodson-Cutt's Superman, took home the win by winning two of the three phases and totaling a score of 251 under the guidance of Kate Considine. Coming in with a score of 250.8 and winning the Small Olders was Taylor Ann Adams riding Ashley Pryde's Wesley. Right on her heels was Hasbrouck Donavan aboard Cruise, winner of the Small Youngers. The grey scored 250.6, missing the title of Overall Reserve Champion by two-tenths of a point. Both Cruise and Wesley were shown under instruction of trainer Archie Cox.

Other winners of the day included Ashlyn Matheus and her mount, Einstein, who took away the win in the Large Younger Section. Hannah Goodson-Cutt on her second mount, Caretano, won the Classic phase of the Small Olders with a 90 and two 88s, and Amber Henter's ride, Victory Road, took the win in the Classic section of the Large Olders.

For more information, contact Marion Maybank at [email protected].

ENDS