EDITED PRESS RELEASE
Olivia Sweetnam of Wellington, Florida, has won the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month Award for February.
A talented junior rider, Sweetnam competes in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series’ East Conference. She was on a successful streak at Wellington International throughout the month, kicking things off with a win in the $13,850 SJHOF 1.45m Junior Jumper Classic at WEF 4 aboard Big Beauty Z. She also earned fourth place with Coleccini and the overall division championship with Big Beauty Z. At WEF 7, she and Coleccini returned for second-place honors in the $15,000 Classic, while her other mount, Cervantes, finished fifth. These consistent placings helped Sweetnam, who was the Hall of Fame’s Junior Rider of the Year in 2023, secure the Hall of Fame’s Rider of the Month Award for February.
The Show Jumping Hall of Fame conducts its Jumper Classic Series with classes at approximately 80 horse shows each year. The series hosts classes for junior and amateur riders at both 1.40-1.45 m and 1.30-1.35 m in two Conferences – the East Conference and the West Conference. The Series culminates in Championship Finals for both divisions in the fall. The winners of the Finals each receive complimentary admission to the Hall of Fame’s annual Induction Ceremony and Awards Gala in Wellington in March, during which they are honored for their achievements.
Each month, the Series honors the one rider and one horse that earn the most points in Series competition that month. For year-end awards, the Series recognizes each conference’s Leading Rider and Leading Horse. The winner of each year-end award receives an engraved Tiffany crystal trophy and complimentary admission to the Hall of Fame’s annual Induction Ceremony and Awards Gala in Wellington in March, during which they are honored for their achievements.
The 2026 winners of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month Awards are:
January – JJ Torano of Wellington, Florida
February – Olivia Sweetnam of Wellington, Florida
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 CMJ Sporthorse, Hampton Classic Horse Show, Kentucky Horse Park, Markel, Nilforushan Equisport Events, United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), and Wellington International.
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 show grounds.
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 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, Kentucky Summer Horse Show and BreyerFest.
Nilforushan Equisport Events is a horse show management company devoted to its mission to produce world-class events that will enhance the West Coast equestrian scene and help to make California a top show jumping destination. Exhibitors can expect great sport, a series of prize money classes and affordable showing options at every event thanks to the inventive style of the Nilforushan management team. Competitors and spectators alike will be treated to a first-class VIP area, festive entertainment experiences and charitable opportunities. Whether you are riding in the grand prix, competing for the first time, supporting from ringside or simply in town for a vacation, we invite you to join us for a day, a week or the entire horse show series!
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.
Situated in the heart of Wellington, FL, the iconic “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World,” Wellington International is the proud host of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). This internationally recognized 13-week event is the world’s largest and longest-running hunter/jumper horse show. Every year, WEF opens its gates to thousands of riders from 50 U.S. states and over 34 countries. Spanning more than 111 acres, the Wellington International facility is equipped with 14 competition arenas, over 500 permanent equine stalls, dedicated horse trails, pedestrian paths, and golf cart tracks. Beyond equestrian sports, WEF offers an all-encompassing experience featuring VIP services, unmatched hospitality, versatile event spaces, and world-class shopping opportunities. With an annual contribution of more than $400 million to Palm Beach County’s GDP and the creation of over 3,700 jobs, the competition’s impact extends well beyond the facility. The Winter Equestrian Festival is a flagship event operated by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC. For more information visit www.wellingtoninternational.com.
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.
