MacDonald, Christianson, Tucker, Kment Win 2025 U.S. Youth Riders Championships

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2025 U.S. Dressage Championships

Pony rider Samantha MacDonald, children rider Grace Christianson, junior rider Claire Tucker, and young rider Lexie Kment became the winners of the youth riders divisions at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Championships in Wayne, ILL.

The "Festival of Champions" took place at Lamplight equestrian center on 18 - 24 August 2025.

Pony Riders: Samantha MacDonald

In the pony division with four competitors, Samantha MacDonald earned the title after winning the team test with 66.048% and the individual test with 66.351%. Her partner in crime, the roan Candy Crush, a 16-year-old Welsh Pony Cross gelding, which she has been riding for about two years.

Their time together has been full of growth and trust. Building a strong connection hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been rewarding.

“In the beginning, we struggled a lot with contact, but as we’ve gotten to trust each other more, it’s really come a long way,” she explained. “Spending the time to bond made a huge difference. Now he trusts my hand, and I trust him. It’s just been incredible to see how far we’ve come. “He is just the best pony ever. He is really funny! He’s definitely a barn favorite -- everyone loves him. He’s the sweetest pony with the biggest heart, and he always tries his best. But, he also has a little spunk to him, which is awesome.”

For MacDonald, the moment was one of disbelief and joy. “This experience has been really good. I felt like he was really with me. And it’s a big environment, so I was proud of him,” MacDonald said of Candy Crush’s test. “It feels amazing… it hasn’t really set in yet. I feel so incredibly lucky and grateful.”

While the win marked the end of her Pony Rider chapter, MacDonald is already thinking ahead.

“Next year, I’m going to do Juniors. Ponies can’t do juniors, so Crushy will be able to help a new Pony Rider achieve their dreams someday.”

The silver medal was for Ava Hobbs aboard the 9-year old German riding pony Der Kleine Prinz G (by Genesis B x Dornik B) with whom she scored an average of 61.141%.

“It was much better than yesterday -- yesterday was a bit spooky. Today he cooperated as well as he could,” Hobbs explained. “I feel like our test was the best we could do this weekend and where we’re at with our training.” Even so, Hobbs highlighted her pony’s character as the real prize. “Prince has a really sweet personality. He’s timid, but if you take your time and be patient with him, he’s really willing.”

Looking ahead, Hobbs is eager to continue her partnership with Prince as they move toward the next level. “Next year I am moving up to CDIs, so I’m very excited!”

The bronze went to Maverick Wright, who piloted the 11-year old Welsh bred Windstar Flash (by Pecan Creek's Standing Ovation x Cloe Blue Caper) to an average of 55.999%

Children: Grace Christianson

The Children Championship concluded with a memorable day of competition, highlighted by the performances of talented young riders and their equine partners. Grace Christianson (Noblesville, Ind.) and FHF Roulee, her own 2014 American Warmblood mare (Routinier out of Marelee du Bois) captured the championship title with an overall average score of 78.370%.

“I didn’t really feel very confident going into the arena, and the pressure was a little bit hard,” Christianson admitted. “But you just kind of have to work through it and really pull it together, and so did I. It ended in a good ride and a good score.”

Christianson, who has enjoyed a successful summer with “Roulee,” reflected on the significance of closing out her career in the Children division with a win. “It felt really good because we worked really hard to get to this point,” she said. “I spent a lot of time at the barn and a lot of hard work. It was a lot of fun, despite it being my last ever Children’s test.”

With juniors on the horizon, Christianson is both eager and optimistic. “I’m a little nervous, but Roulee was already doing changes left and right in the warm-up, so I think she’ll be just fine,” she shared with a smile. “We’re heading to Region 4 Regionals and hopefully to the U.S. Dressage Finals in Ohio this year.”

Finishing as reserve champion was Gwyneth Miller (Carlsbad, Calif.) with Rubinette N, her own 2011 Oldenburg mare (Rubino Belissimo out of Piccolena), affectionately known as “Ruby” or “Pretty Princess,” earning a cumulative score of 76.685%.

“It was the best ride we’ve had in that test,” said Miller. “I’m really proud of how she did and how she tried her hardest and gave it her all. It feels really great to walk away from my first championship with the reserve ribbon.”

Miller will also move up to the junior level next season, carrying forward her enthusiasm for the partnership. “Ruby’s a really sweet girl, but she can be stubborn,” she said fondly. “I’m just looking forward to having a great time again and having more fun next year.”

In third place, Madelynn Williams (West Lafayette, Ind.) and FHF Cahlua, a 2005 American Warmblood mare (Cody out of Cariarctic), owned by Jennifer Kaiser, produced a steady and polished test to earn a score of 74.400% overall.

“I just wanted to put out a clean test since we had some troubles last year,” said Williams. “I wanted this last year in Children to be a good year before we go on to juniors. She might not be the fanciest horse, but she felt good in all my aids, and I thought, ‘This is going to be a good test, so let’s just put it out there and do our best.’ We did that and I’m so proud.”

Junior Riders: Claire Tucker

Claire Tucker (Lincoln, Neb.) and the 9-year old Hanoverian gelding Finnur (by For Romance I out of Wapi Yo) won the Junior Riders Championship with an average score of 70.395%, becoming the only pair to crack over 70% in the Junior Individual Test.

The Junior championship was decided over two rounds: the team test and individual test.

“Finn felt amazing out there. He was super soft, with great energy but also incredible relaxation,” Tucker said. “We’ve been working so hard on that at home, and it really paid off. His walk is usually our weakest point, but this week – in both of our tests -- it became a highlight. From the moment I got on in the warm-up, I knew he was going to be good. He just felt soft, supple, and swinging so well, and it carried right into the arena.”

Tucker added that the connection she felt in the warm-up set the tone for the entire test: “He felt electric, but also incredibly relaxed, and that confidence carried through every movement. It’s an amazing feeling to have that kind of partnership with your horse -- when everything clicks, it feels effortless.” A month ago, Tucker and Finnur placed fourth in the Kur at the 2025 North American Junior Riders Championships

2025 North American Junior Kur Gold medal winner Eila Fisk (Aiken, S.C.) and Quaresma, a 2016 Oldenburg gelding (Quatersprung x Furstenball), owned by Gina Fisk, finished as Reserve Champions with an average score of 67.985%.

“Today [Quaresma] was really with me. When I first went in the ring yesterday, he was a little tense because the Grand Prix ring is elevated. Today, I was able to manage it really well, and that connection was the most rewarding feeling from day one to day two,” Fisk said.

Fisk emphasized her appreciation for the horse’s temperament and learning ability: “He’s the most wonderful horse -- so trusting, willing to work, and forgiving. He’s the best horse to learn on because he keeps improving every year. Next year, we’re hoping to move up to Young Riders, and I really think he has the talent for collection and the upper levels. Today was just a confirmation of everything we’ve been working toward and the amazing partnership we have.”

The bronze medal was for Alexis Troutman and her 8-year old KWPN bred Mondo L (by Don Tango B x Obelisk) got bronze with an overall score of 67.40%. Earlier this summer the pair won team gold with Region 3 at the 2025 North American Junior Riders Championships.

Young Riders: Lexie Kment

It was a joyful day in the Young Rider division as Lexie Kment (Palmyra, Neb.) and Gatino Van Hof Olympia, a 2011 KWPN gelding (Apache out of P Siltana VH Olympia), owned by Jami Kment, clinched the Young Rider National Championship on an overall score of 70.049%. Fresh off a strong summer season, including NAYC, Kment was beaming as she reflected on the journey with her partner.

“My test today was so special,” said Kment. “One of my favorite moments was walking into the arena. My mom looked at me and said, ‘Lexie, be joyful, praising God as you go around, and when you enter that ring, you’re the eye of the tiger.’ And I said, ‘Yep, you got it!’”

Kment shared that her highlight in the test came when she and Gatino finally put together a series of movements that had challenged them in past competitions. “The last two competitions I had gotten the first three tempis beautifully, and then I just stopped riding them,” she explained with a laugh. “Today I got all five, and they felt so good. And that last medium canter felt like we were flying.”

Earning the reserve championship with an overall score of 68.408% was Virginia Woodcock (Atlanta, Ga.) aboard Møllegårdens Sans-Souci, her own 2014 Danish Warmblood mare (Sir Donnerhall out of Sascha) marking an impressive debut year at the Young Rider level.

“My test was great. I couldn’t ask anything more of my mare and truly of myself,” said Woodcock. “It’s been a journey to get to this level for both of us, but very valuable to come up the levels together. I’m really proud of how I rode and how well she stuck with me.”

Woodcock noted that the pirouettes were a particular highlight in her test.

“Sometimes those can be a sticky spot for us, but today they went well, and I was so proud coming out of both of them,” she said. “Just being on her in the warmup, I know that I’m going to have the time of my life.”

Woodcock, who leaves Festival as reserve champion in her first year at the level, was still soaking it all in. “I truly did not expect this in my first year as a Young Rider,” she said. “My horse is just fantastic, and this place, this competition -- I always just love it here at Festival. I’ve enjoyed this week so much, and I’m so thankful.”

Taking third place was Sophia Forsyth (Walpole, Mass.) and Dimagico, her own 2014 Hanoverian gelding (Dimaggio out of Femme Jazz), earning a final score of 67.746% to secure third place.