Edited Press Release

Lexington, KY – October 16, 2023 – Hundreds of talented amateur and junior riders competed in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series throughout the year, vying for prestigious titles in the East Conference Presented by Rood & Riddle and West Conference Presented by LAURACEA. Congratulations to Hilary McNerney, Marieka Maesen, Olivia Sweetnam and Sydney Chmel for claiming top honors in their respective divisions!

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame conducts the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series with classes at approximately 80 horse shows each year. The Series hosts separate divisions for junior and amateur riders in two Conferences – the East Conference presented by Rood & Riddle and the West Conference presented by LAURACEA – and follows Grand Prix rules and specifications. The Series is designed to give amateur and junior riders the opportunity to compete at higher levels and serves as a proving ground for many riders who aspire to represent the United States in international competition.

The Series culminates in a West Conference Championship Final at Blenheim EquiSports’ International Jumping Festival in San Juan Capistrano, California, and the overall Series Final at the Washington International Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The riders who top the year-long Series standings receive an engraved Tiffany crystal trophy and the winners of the Series’ two Finals receive one of LAURACEA’s best-selling Convertible Backpack Totes.

A resident of Wellington, FL, McNerney competes in the SJHOF Jumper Classic Series Amateur East Conference Presented by Rood & Riddle. Her successful show season included her being named the Hall of Fame’s Rider of the Month Sponsored by Charles Ancona for April following her victory in the $15,000 SJHOF High Amateur Jumper Classic at WEF 12. She topped the final standings for 2023 with her 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Chato Lou, who was also named the Hall of Fame’s Horse of the Month Sponsored by Markel in March.

Maesen, of Spring, TX, claimed victory in the SJHOF Jumper Classic Series Amateur West Conference Presented by LAURACEA with CR Supernova DBS, Daybreak Sporthorses LLC’s 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding. The pair brought home several blue-ribbon honors throughout the year, including a Hall of Fame Series win at Summer in the Rockies where they also had other top finishes in Series classes.

In the SJHOF Jumper Classic Series Junior East Conference Presented by Rood & Riddle, Sweetnam, of Wellington, FL, soared above the rest. Sweetnam piloted HDB Quality, Sweet Oak Farm’s 10-year-old Westphalian mare, to several top-five placings in WEF’s $10,000 SJHOF High Junior Jumper classics, then continued her competitive ways into the summer during the Split Rock tour and Great Lakes Equestrian Festival.

From Lake Quivira, KS, Chmel and her own 16-year-old Warmblood mare Laissez Faire 3E finished first in the SJHOF Jumper Classic Series Junior West Conference Presented by LAURACEA. The two successfully competed at Summer in the Rockies with top placings in multiple Series classes.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame was organized to promote the sport of show jumping and to immortalize the legends of the men, women and horses who have made great contributions to the sport. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame is located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Plaques honoring those who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame can be seen at the Horse Park’s Rolex Stadium. Mementos and artifacts from the sport’s history are on display as part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame collection at the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Wheeler Museum at the Horse Park.

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame is sponsored by Blenheim EquiSports, Charles Ancona, CMJ Sporthorse, Hampton Classic Horse Show, Kentucky Horse Park, LAURACEA, Markel, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), Washington International Horse Show and Wellington International.

Blenheim EquiSports is an equestrian event management company based in San Juan Capistrano, CA, producing horse shows in San Juan Capistrano, CA and Las Vegas, NV. These competitions include USEF “Premier” rated hunter-jumper shows; Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA; a Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League Qualifier; USHJA International, National, & Pony Hunter Derbies & Finals; the Whitethorne Equitation Challenge, Medal Finals, and so much more.

Charles Ancona jackets are made in the USA using the finest Italian stretch fabrics to provide both stylish looks and high-performance functionality. Machine washable, water repellent, and lightweight to help keep you cool on the hottest days, each jacket features a fully customizable design and is made to order in New York City’s garment district – no two jackets are alike! Charles Ancona is the Official U.S. Team Supplier through USEF. Charles Ancona Show Jackets were worn in the Tokyo Olympics and will be for all U.S. teams through the 2024 Paris Olympics. Charles Ancona takes pride in designing and manufacturing the highest quality products for their customers, including top riders such as Show Jumping Hall of Fame inductee Margie Engle, five-time Olympic veteran McLain Ward, Aaron Vale, Beat Mandli, Brian Moggre, Brianne Goutal-Marteau, Laura Chapot, Sydney Schulman, and John French.

The Hampton Classic is the prestigious culminating event of the Hamptons’ famed summer season. Top jumper and hunter riders from around the world compete for some of the richest prize money in the nation. The Classic hosts more than 100 classes of competition in six rings for horses and riders of all ages and abilities. The Classic also features a Boutique Garden with more than 70 vendors, a wide selection of dining options and a Farmer’s Market, all on its 60-acre showgrounds.

The Kentucky Horse Park is the leading tourist attraction for all things “horse” and one of the world’s best equine competition facilities and only park open to the public. The Kentucky Horse Park hosts a handful of events each year such as the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Kentucky Summer Horse Show and BreyerFest.

LAURACEA is a collection of finely crafted leather goods inspired by the true equestrian lifestyle. Designed for equestrians with quality, function, and sophistication in mind, LAURACEA is the brainchild of founder Tamara Makris, designer, entrepreneur, and mother of two equestrians.

Backed by a team of equestrian and insurance experts, Markel is the insurance company with horse sense. At the shows and in the barns, Markel serves its clients with the highest standards. Markel has a team of insurance specialists across the country who know the product inside and out. Visit Horse Specialist | Markel Specialist (markelinsurance.com) and find the Markel Insurance Specialist that’s right for your horse, farm and liability needs.

Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital began as an ambulatory practice in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1982 and established a full-service equine hospital in 1986. Today the practice is known and respected worldwide for innovative and highly skilled treatment of horses. Rood & Riddle continues their tradition of excellence into the twenty-first century serving as a referral center for horses requiring specialized medical and surgical care and providing ambulatory care for all breeds and disciplines. With the original hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, and locations in Saratoga Springs, New York, and Wellington, Florida, Rood & Riddle maintains an unwavering commitment to quality, both in the care of horses and in our relationships with clients and the community.

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), as the official hunter/jumper affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation, is a competition-based sport organization that serves our members through educational programs, awards and recognition, communication and rules. They provide a wide array of programs for all hunter/jumper levels and are mindful of the well-being of our equine partners. Additional information is available at www.ushja.org.

Founded in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show presented by MARS Equestrian™ is one of the most prestigious, competitive and exciting equestrian sporting events in North America. Held annually in October, WIHS brings together the finest and most talented horses and riders from across the country and around the world for seven days of top jumper, hunter and equitation competition, equestrian entertainment, and community and charity events.

Wellington International is the home of the internationally recognized Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in addition to 28 weeks of the Annual Series horse shows. WEF came to Wellington in 1974 and boasts more than 155 acres, 18 competition arenas, over 400 permanent equine stalls, horse trails, pedestrian paths, and golf cart tracks. This award-winning venue operates the largest and longest-running hunter/jumper horse show in the world while annually welcoming thousands of riders from all 50 states and more than 42 countries. In addition to equestrian sporting events, Wellington International offers VIP, hospitality, event spaces, world-class shopping and much more! With the support of their parent company, the Global Equestrian Group (GEG), Wellington International is focused on the future of equestrian sport to better serve exhibitors, stakeholders, and community.

For more information about the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, including the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series, please visit the Show Jumping Hall of Fame website at www.ShowJumpingHallofFame.net.