The Arion Sellier Equitation Championship brought an exhilarating test of skill and independence to the final week of the 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Held on Saturday, March 22, during HITS Championship week, this prestigious event challenged junior riders to compete without trainer guidance, showcasing their ability to think and perform under pressure. In the end, it was Elizabeth Rinehart who mastered the test to claim top honors.
Course designers Tim Hott, Doug Russell, and Brian Post crafted a technical, yet flowing, track designed to reward precision, bold riding, and smart decision-making. Judges Tom Brennan and Scott Williamson carefully evaluated each round as 29 talented junior athletes — who qualified over the 10 weeks of competition at HITS Ocala — tackled the challenge on their own, relying solely on their preparation and horsemanship. With phones turned in at the start of the class, competitors navigated both the schooling and show rings without the guidance of their trainers. After a competitive first round, twelve riders advanced to the second.
Rinehart piloted Jinter van het Hagehof, Sally Ives’s 16-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Elvis ter Putte x Camus), to the top of the first round with a score of 88. She maintained her poise in the second round, earning a high score of 92 for a two-round total of 180 to claim the decisive victory.
“Coming back for the second round, I knew I was a few points ahead, so I just wanted to have a smooth round and not take too many risks,” explained Rinehart of her winning strategy. “I’ve been riding him for a few months, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to ride a horse like him.”
The 15-year-old, who trains with Caroline McLeese out of Hunter Holloway Stables based in Ocala, Florida, and Topeka, Kansas, was new to this class format.
“It was definitely weird at times,” she admitted. “I’d turn to ask Caroline [McLeese] a question and she wasn’t there, but I could still see her watching. It was challenging, but it was fun.”
Making the trip to HITS for the week, Rinehart embraced the experience. After earning the coveted custom Arion Sellier saddle for her win, as well as an exclusive Veltri Sport x Arion Sellier backpack, which was presented to the top three finishers, there was a lot to soak in.
“The atmosphere is great,” she said. “The ring is gorgeous with all the jumps and the trees. I thought there would be more pressure, but there really wasn’t because everyone is so nice here at HITS, and the ring was inviting.”
Jenna Bach and Kardinaal HX, Redfield Farm’s 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Don Diablo HX x Karandasj), finished as the runner-up with a score of 170. Nyla Semaan and Consensus, her own 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Crelido, rounded out the podium with a score of 169.5.
Lily Rusis and Big Bang Claim Victory in the $5,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby
On Friday, March 21, the $5,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby saw Lily Rusis rise to the occasion aboard Big Bang.
From the 40 talented starting combinations, amateur rider Rusis delivered a solid first round to impress judges Tom Brennan and Chris Wynne, earning a score of 77, plus four bonus points for high-option fences. The top 12 pairs then returned for the handy round, which proved to be a deciding challenge. Rusis achieved a standout performance, scoring an 84 with four additional bonus points, securing the victory with a total of 169.
“He’s been amazing for me,” shared Rusis of the seasoned 17-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding (For Paragon x Justice) owned by Emelie Burgess. “He’s just such a cool horse. This is only our second day showing together.”
Training under Monica Hunt at Cornerstone Farm based in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Rusis made the most of her time at HITS Ocala, briefly stepping away from her studies at Elon University. With Big Bang already in the barn, Hunt encouraged her to lease the talented gelding for the weekend — a decision that paid off.
“In the handy, I came back towards the bottom, so I wanted to have a smooth round, but I also tried to go for it a bit,” explained Rusis. “He’s so adjustable and easy to ride. It was a great round.”
Amateur rider Jessica Oswald guided Lebaron, her own nine-year-old KWPN gelding (Berlin x Clavecimbel), to a strong second-place finish with a total score of 168. Fellow amateur Christina Webb and Caillou VL, Fox View Farm’s 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Cellestial x Claudio), delivered an impressive performance to secure third place with a score of 167.
The week also featured the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, where Morgan Ward and her longtime partner, Comissario, a 20-year-old gelding by Calido, emerged victorious from the starting field of 22 horse-and-rider duos after delivering another stellar ride with a winning score of 185. Kylee La Zear skillfully guided Polaris, Susan B. Banks’ 14-year-old Warmblood gelding, to a strong second-place finish with a two-round total of 175.25. Molly Dinapoli Frei and Just Synergy, GAC Masonry Inc.’s 11-year-old KWPN gelding (Arko III x Kannan), delivered a polished performance to secure third place with a final score of 175.
With the Ocala Championship now concluded, the 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit has come to a thrilling close and the venue looks ahead to the upcoming excitement still to come. The brand-new Festival of the Horse™, an unrated, multidiscipline competition event features on March 27-30 at HITS Post Time Farm. Following that, hunter/jumper action moves to the spring and summer HITS venues, including HITS Chicago, HITS Culpeper, HITS Del Mar, HITS Hudson Valley, and HITS Vermont. For more information, visit HITSShows.com.
