Katie Van Horne, Woodland, California, won the fifth annual USHJA Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge National competition, the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association announced Wednesday. Held virtually from Nov. 20-Dec. 8, the top 19 amateur USHJA members who took the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge quizzes were invited to compete for the overall title, as well as awards in each phase. 

“I think it’s really important for all equestrians to keep learning about their sport and how to better care for the amazing horses in our lives,” said Van Horne, who finished third in the national competition in 2021. “There’s so much more to horses than just riding in the show ring, and this program highlights and rewards that. I’m always encouraging my friends and barn mates to participate. I’ve even referred complete strangers on social media to the USHJA website and study guide for more information on general horsemanship topics!”

The three-phase competition kicked off with an online written exam to evaluate the finalists’ knowledge of horsemanship and stable management. The top 12 performers advanced to the interview stage, which included essay-style questions and a video interview with the Adult Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Committee. The scores from those two phases were averaged to determine the top four finalists, who then progressed to the practicum phase. In this final stage, participants showcased their horsemanship skills through a series of demonstrations on video.

Van Horne secured first place in the interview, second in both the written exam and practicum, and earned the highest combined score overall, capturing the title in her third year competing.

First-time competitor Sarah Jarosinski Holy, Suffolk, Virginia, earned the reserve title, placing first in the practicum and fourth in the interview. Casey Waite, Janesville, Wisconsin, secured third overall by placing second in both the written exam and interview and third in the Practicum. Completing the top four was Madeline Rideout, Poughkeepsie, New York, who earned third in the interview and fourth in the practicum.

Van Horne, Jarosinski Holy, and Waite were awarded training and education grants for their overall placings, receiving $2,000, $1,500, and $500, respectively.