For the second year in a row, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Grand Junior Hunter Championship title went to Babylon, this time with Paige Walkenbach in the irons.
On their way to the grand championship, Walkenbach and Babylon first earned the division tricolor in the 3’6” Small Junior Hunters 16-17, sweeping all three of the over fences classes and taking second in the under saddle on Thursday, October 10 and Friday, October 11.
“Babylon’s always ready to do his best; he always tries his best for you,” said Walkenbach of the 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding that she began leasing at the end of 2023. “He jumps amazing and moves amazing. He’s honestly one of the best hunters out there, and he’s just cool to look at too!”
Babylon, or “Crumbles,” as the gelding is known in the barn, was previously shown in the junior hunters by owner Ariana Marnell and in the professional divisions by John French. With French’s training a vital part of Babylon’s ongoing success, Walkenbach began riding Babylon with him, while also continuing her longtime training relationship with West Coast-based trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar.
“[Babylon’s] just been amazing,” said Walkenbach, 17. “I was in awe honestly to try him and even sit on him, and the fact that I’m training with John and still riding him is just amazing. I’m so blessed.”
Not only did Walkenbach have French in her camp for her big win on Friday, Marnell made a special guest appearance to ride Crumbles in the under saddle.
“It was kind of like a reunion,” said Walkenbach, who rode her second mount, Ever So Often, to the win in the flat class. “Ariana’s really supportive. I love her, and she’s honestly the best. She’s helped me through this whole journey. It’s definitely a lot of pressure to follow in her footsteps, but she makes it look easy.”
In addition to being presented with the Ovation Perpetual Trophy as the Grand Junior Hunter Champion and the Tindle Perpetual Trophy as the champion in the 3’6” Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division, sponsored by Hesslink Williams, Walkenbach also piloted San Pedro 15 to the 3’6” Large Junior Hunters 16 & 17.
On their way to the top honor in the division, sponsored by Fort Myer Construction Corporation, Walkenbach and the 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding, owned by Walkenbach Equestrian, earned a win over fences and the win under saddle.
“‘Parker’ has had a great year so far,” said Walkenbach of San Pedro 15. “We had a good day the first day, and then today, he really shined. He got a 91, and I’m so proud of him because he’s still a little new to the hunters, still developing a bit. This ring is a little scary with the atmosphere, but he just came together really nicely.”
For the championship with San Pedro, Walkenbach was presented with the John Bryner, Jr. Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Bedard Family. Taking home the reserve championship honors in the 3’6” Small Junior Hunters 16 & 17 and the 3’6” Large Junior Hunters 16 & 17 were Lillian Geitner on Coltrane and Maddie Tosh on Cerano, respectively.
In the 3’6” Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under, sponsored by the Sugg Family, both the championship and the reserve championship went to Violet Tatum. The California native earned the top award with Jagerbomb, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding that she rode to a first and second over fences, and the reserve championship went to Cayman, owned by Bridgeport Farms LLC.
“[Jagerbomb] and I just started in August, and this is only our fifth show together,” said Tatum. “He’s a really good boy. He’s lazy but in a good way. You can really control your pace and get a nice rhythm. He’s a little scared of other horses so we try and be really cautious in the warmup ring to keep him happy.”
For her championship win, Tatum was awarded the Rev. Dr. Betsee Parker Perpetual Trophy, donated by Dr. Betsee Parker.
Rounding out the list of champions in the day’s 3’6” Junior Hunter divisions, presented by Bikoff Equestrian, was Pennsylvania native Vivian Golden. Golden piloted her own Chamonix to a win over fences and a win on the flat to secure the championship in the 3’6” Large Junior Hunters 15 & Under, sponsored by Bikoff Equestrian. As the winner, Golden was awarded the Irene L. Armstrong Memorial Trophy.
“I just wanted to have a good show and be consistent,” said Golden, who has been partnered with Chamonix for the past two years. “It’s a lot of fun to show here, and it’s close to home too so it’s nice. It’s such a fun atmosphere.”
Taking home the reserve championship were Brooke Hagerty and Casino Cash.
This year’s 3’6” Junior Hunter competition concluded with the $10,000 3’6” Junior Hunter Winners Stake, sponsored by Don Stewart Stables. Taking home the win and the Plain Brown Wrapper Challenge Trophy, donated by Don Stewart, Jr., was Djuna Lauder and Estimated Prophet. For full results of the Winners Stake, click here.
From within the $10,000 3’6″ Junior Hunter Winners Stake, the inaugural BioStar Happy Horse Award was presented. The award acknowledges and honors the horses and riders who maintain harmony and happiness at the highest levels of the sport. Taking home the first BioStar award at the PNHS were Ella Tarumianz and Remedy.
Additional 3’6″ Junior Hunter special award recipients included the following:
- High Point Small 3’6″ Junior Hunter, sponsored by Hesslink Williams – Elizabeth Rinehart and Bond
- High Point Large 3’6″ Junior Hunter, sponsored by Bikoff Equestrian – Paige Walkenbach and San Pedro 15
- Best Junior Rider on a Horse, 3’6″, sponsored by Elvenstar – Paige Walkenbach
- PNHS 3’6″ Junior Hunter Rider Sportsmanship Award, sponsored by Capital Hill/Frank Madden – Brooke Hagerty
- Hollow Brook Wealth Management Sportsmanship Award, sponsored by Hollow Brook Wealth Management – Gigi Phillips
- Tack Room Awards:
- 1st – Windsor Stables
- 2nd – KPF
- 3rd – Beacon Hill Show Stables / Stonehenge Stables
- 4th – Capital Hill
- EMO Agency Junior Hunter High Five Award, sponsored by the EMO Agency – Paige Walkenbach and San Pedro 15
- Claire Mawdsley Scholarship Award, Small Juniors – Carleigh Carter and Rebecca Love
- Claire Mawdsley Scholarship Award, Large Juniors – Hampton Baker and Mary Van Pelt
Klee, Ramsey, Matalon and Slye Shine in 2024 3’3” Junior Hunters
Four new 3’3” junior hunter champions were named on Friday, October 11, at the 2024 Pennsylvania National Horse Show, with the honors going to Anna Klee on Lucky Luuk, Madison Ramsey on MTM Enchanted, Taylor Matalon on Remember Romance and Addison Slye on Conrido.
Klee and Lucky Luuk kicked things off with the first tricolor of the day after winning two over fences classes in the 3’3” Small Junior Hunters 16-17. Earning the reserve championship in the division was Madison Ramsey aboard No Nonsense.
“It’s very exciting; this is my first time here,” said Klee. “It’s also [Lucky Luuk’s] first time here, so I really just wanted to go around and have a good experience. Walking away with the championship is just really exciting.”
Klee and Lucky Luuk’s top results were enough to also earn them the 3’3” Junior Hunter Grand Championship, sponsored by Don Stewart Stables. For the grand championship title, they were presented with the Pat Dodson Memorial Challenge Trophy, donated by Don Stewart Stables and Finally Farm.
In the 3’3” Large Junior Hunters 16-17, the title went to Ramsey and MTM Enchanted.
“She’s a really excellent jumper when I stay out of her way, and this course just flowed really well,” said Ramsey. “She really truly is just the most special horse I’ve ever ridden. It’s kind of her way or the highway, but her way is the winning way so I try to just let her do her thing. Sometimes she’s a little sassy, but I love her all the same. It’s just an honor to show her.”
Finishing as the reserve champion behind Ramsey was Caroline Moore aboard Grand Romance.
In the 3’3” Small Junior Hunters 15 & Under, sponsored by Laura Karet and Glade Run Farm, the championship honors went to Taylor Matalon and Remember Romance, a pair who began their partnership together at last year’s Pennsylvania National Horse Show.
“We took him home from this show last year,” said Matalon. “He’s perfect. He’s a little slow sometimes, but he moves super cute, jumps awesome, and he’s just super fun to ride.”
The reserve championships honors were awarded in a three-way tie to Mimi Maddock and Ocean Road, Carleigh Carter and Bon Voyage and Mary Kate George and All Too Well.
Addison Slye and Conrido closed out the 2024 junior hunter competition with the championship title in the 3’3” Large Junior Hunters 15 & Under, also sponsored by Laura Karet and Glade Run Farm. The reserve honors were earned by Ava Berman and All Inklusive.
Conrido, a 2014 Holsteiner gelding, stepped into the junior hunters with Slye following a successful career with Slye’s mom, Jill, in the low adult amatuer hunters.
“He’s very sweet; he is never fresh, and he loves to cuddle. I hope I get to keep him forever!” said Slye. “Hopefully we’ll step up to do the 3’6” with him soon.”
Rounding out the 3’3” junior hunter offerings at the PNHS was the $10,000 Junior Hunter 3’3” Winners Stake, sponsored by the Kosloske Family Foundation. The win in the class went to Maddock and Ocean. Additional 3’3″ junior hunter awards included the PNHS Junior Hunter Rider 3’3″ Sportsmanship Award and the Best Junior Rider on a Horse 3’3″ title, both of which were presented to Grace Russo.
