The 2024 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals—West ended in exciting fashion Sunday at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California. The event saw junior and young rider athletes vie for the prestigious title through four phases of competition held over three days, with Avery Glynn of Petaluma, California, emerging as the winner.

The competition started with a flat phase Friday in which the 26 riders entered the arena in groups of five to perform a series of flatwork exercises for the judges. They demonstrated a working and lengthening trot, and canter and counter-canter in both directions, flying changes, and a turn on the haunches. This phase offered the competitors a chance to highlight their foundational skills in position, aids, and seat, as judges Kristen Coe and Michael Tokaruk began to compile their scores for the final. 

Paige Walkenbach, Paradise Valley, Arizona, took the early lead in that phase, riding her own Emi Inita to a score of 90, while Victoria Zahorik, Bartonville, Texas, slotted into second place on a score of 89 aboard her own Quiwian.

Riders returned Saturday for a gymnastics phase, where Glynn earned a 91—the high score of the day—aboard Change Up PS, an 8-year-old Oldenburg stallion (Casino Berlin—Contessa, Contendro I) owned by David Bustillos’ Durango Farms. That result propelled them from ninth place after the flat phase to third place overall. Zahorik scored an 88, the day’s second best score, to take over the top overall spot after two phases. 

Watch Glynn’s gymnastic phase with Change Up PS, courtesy of ShowGroundsLive.com:

On Sunday, competitors tackled Phase III, a jumper-style course, with scores doubled to impact the overall standings, before the top four athletes advanced to the decisive Phase IV for a ride-off.

Watch Glynn’s Phase III round aboard Change Up PS, courtesy of ShowGroundsLive.com:

In Phase IV, the finalists started afresh, navigating the same course on their own horses before swapping mounts to repeat the course on each of the other top horses. Glynn emerged triumphant, demonstrating skill and consistency across her rounds to earn the Denali Memorial Perpetual Trophy with a final score of 356. Her parents and trainers, Hope Glynn and Ned Glynn, were also recognized with the Leading Trainer Award. 

Zahorik’s 10-year-old Holsteiner, Quiwian (Quiwi Dream—Bala, Cassiano) won the Gulliver Trophy as the best horse of the competition.

Watch Glynn’s Phase IV ride-off round aboard Quiwian, courtesy of ShowGroundsLive.com:

Making her victory more impressive was the fact that Avery, who currently attends college in Alabama, where she competes in NCEA equestrian, only met her mount five days before the Talent Search Finals.

“I go to school at Auburn University, and when I confirmed I would be able to travel back home to the West Coast, David Bustillos lent me this horse, and he has just been the most incredible partner,” she said. “So scopey, a big stride, brave—I’m just so lucky to have been able to show him.”

Avery said she was honored to have won the competition.

“The list of riders that have come before me winning this class is amazing,” she said. “I am so happy, and I feel so excited to be included in the same list as so many other incredible riders. It’s really a pretty indescribable feeling.”

Walkenbach took second place with a final score of 338, while Zahorik finished third on 331. Katherine Reuter, Mill Valley, California, rounded out the top four with a score of 304.

Judges Coe and Tokaruk praised the athletes. “This is an extraordinary group of riders,” Coe said. “I am so impressed, and they all interpreted the courses so quickly. These athletes are all part of the future, and I really appreciate the fact that I was here.”

Tokaruk discussed how he and Coe worked together to design the jumping course and complimented how well the athletes rode. 

“[Kirsten and I] both thought it would be fun to jump a version of the Olympic course in this competition,” he said. “The athletes all really rose to the occasion and showed off their skills on four different horses over the course, it was really a pleasure to watch.”