San Juan Capistrano, CA – In an amazing dual victory of sorts, Stephanie Danhakl of Pacific Palisades, California, and her horse In Sync, claimed their second National Championship victories respectively, at the fifth annual Show Circuit Magazine/USEF National Junior Hunter Championships, West Coast, in San Juan Capistrano, California, August 16-17.
Stephanie won the 2004 Championships on the West Coast, riding Callaway, while her winning Thoroughbred gelding In Sync, trained by Archie Cox, III, took the title at the 2003 Championships on the East Coast, making him the first horse in history to claim wins at the Championships on both coasts.

“Being my last year, it was really great that I could have a repeat performance and do just as well on a different horse,” shared the 18-year-old Stephanie. “I went into the last round just wanting to ride my best. I didn’t really know that I had won overall until later on—it was kind of a surprise.”

The University of Pennsylvania-bound student said she shares a special bond with the nine-year-old gelding, In Sync, who she says is “at the top of his game.” Just two years ago, Charlie Jayne rode the same horse to win the 2003 Monarch International/USA Equestrian National Junior Hunter Championships, East Coast.

“I’m really lucky be able to ride him,” Stephanie continued. “In Sync is so different from any other horse I’ve ever ridden. I can’t even describe it. I love my horse so much and every time I get to ride him, it’s so much fun.”

Stephanie received the Show Circuit Magazine perpetual trophy, a crystal trophy that she will be able to display until next year’s championships. The trophy, donated by Show Circuit Magazine, tops a list of prizes, including a Pessoa saddle and a Blue Ribbon Blanket by Royal Rider.

Claiming the overall Reserve Champion spot was 15-year-old Shelby Wakeman of Westlake Village, California, riding the nine-year-old Warmblood gelding, Mandarin, owned by Jane Fraze and also trained by Archie Cox, III.

Other proud winners include:

Small Junior Hunters 15 and Under, winner of the Huntover Perpetual Trophy:
Shelby Wakeman, 15, of Westlake Village, CA, riding Mandarin (1996 Warmblood gelding), owned by Jane Fraze

Small Junior Hunters 16-17, winner of the River Edge Farm Perpetual Trophy:
Stephanie Danhakl, 18, of Pacific Palisades, CA, riding Galatea (1995 Oldenburg mare), owned by Stephanie Danhakl

Large Junior Hunters 15 and Under, winner of the Escort Me In Perpetual Trophy:
Mallory Olson, 14, of Newport Coast, CA, riding Gracious Me (1997 Warmblood-Thoroughbred mare), owned by Mandeville Farm, Inc.

Large Junior Hunters 16-17, winner of the Magic Word Trophy:
Stephanie Danhakl, 18, of Pacific Palisades, CA, riding In Sync (1996 Thoroughbred gelding), owned by Stephanie Danhakl

For photographs, contact the official show photographer of the 2005 Show Circuit Magazine/USEF National Junior Hunter Championships, JumpShot Photography, by phone at (530) 621-1379, or visit them online at www.jumpshotusa.com.

~~~For more information, please contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager at (859) 225-6974 or via e-mail at [email protected]. USEF press releases are available on our web site – www.usef.org.