Bennet McWhorter Is Golden at 2026 North American Junior Riders Championships

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2026 North American Youth Championships

Bennet McWhorter dominated the junior division at the 2026 North American Youth Championships and picked up individual test and kur to music gold on the final day of competition at Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City (MI - USA).

The NAYC took place on 28 July - 2 August 2026.

McWorter Tops Junior Individual Podium

Bennett McWhorter (Wellington, Fla.) and Dalia claimed the individual gold medal in the Junior Individual Test, earning a personal-best score of 71.059% and taking first place from all five judges. Adélia Gauthier (CAN) and Fayette DDS earned silver with 68.382%, and Lauren Polk (Atlanta, Ga.) and Donauwelle P rounded out the podium in bronze with 68.000%.

McWhorter, the only rider to break 70% in the class, credited a long-term focus on the basics for their milestone performance.

"It feels incredible. It's the culmination of our development as a team, Dalia and I. It was made possible with the help of my coach, Ali Brock. It feels really incredible to begin to have the next level of harmony in our riding as we go forward. We've taken a lot of time to work on the basics and improve our connection as a pair," McWhorter said.

Asked to describe Dalia, a 2015 Hanoverian mare (by Don Nobelesse x Contendro I), co-owned by McWhorter and Stephanie Mills, in one word, McWhorter didn't hesitate: "Beautiful."

The Junior Individual podium:
Gauthier, McWhorter, Polk

Gauthier, who earned silver aboard the 16-year old KWPN-NA mare Fayette DDS (by Don Schufro x Rhodium), said the mare gave everything throughout the test.

"My test felt great from the beginning until the end. I never felt that way in a ring before — she was with me; she gave all her heart, and everything was flowing. We came a long way to get that suppleness, and I think that's probably the highlight of my ride. To everybody else, it's probably our changes, because she has great changes," Gauthier said.

Lauren Polk, aboard Donauwelle P, a 2013 Hanoverian gelding (by Don Frederico x Wolkentanz), owned by Dawn Haynie, said Wednesday's tension in the walk gave way to a career-best ride.

"It's amazing to come and score the best you've ever scored in a competition at this high level. Our first ride on Wednesday wasn't the best, but we really managed to control the tension this time and just put out what we had. For today to be my personal best is really just amazing," Polk said.

McWhorter Makes it a Golden Hattrick

McWhorter (Wellington, Fla.) and Dalia went on to claim gold in the Junior Riders Freestyle finals on Sunday with a personal-best score of 74.355%, earning the top score of the class from four of the five judges, and earning his third gold medal of the week.

"It really feels great," McWhorter said. "It's wonderful to see all of our hard work come together, and I couldn't have done it without my incredible support, especially my coach, Ali Brock." McWhorter's freestyle, set to music from Wicked, was created with his mother. "We wanted to have a little fun with the music and had a lovely time helping match the story to Dalia to make it a beautiful, harmonious test," he said. Of his mare, McWhorter added, "Even though it's at the end of a long week, she still was just so determined and so incredibly supportive of me, so that we could both achieve our goals together."

Adélia Gauthier (CAN) and Fayette DDS earned silver with a personal-best score of 73.460%. "This whole week was just such a surprise for me. I never really thought I could get on that podium, and to be on it twice this week means so much," Gauthier said. "Throughout the entire week we've gained so much confidence in the ring and we're going to come home with a lot we didn't have at the start of this championship."

Miriam Bacon (Columbus, N.C.) and Drambuie, a 2012 Hanoverian mare (by Damsey FRH x Lauries Crusador), owned by Natalie Bacon, rounded out the podium with a score of 70.895% for bronze. "It feels really, really awesome and it was a little unexpected after my past two rides," Bacon said. Bacon has partnered with Drambuie, trained by Julio Mendoza, for four years. "He's a very reactive horse, a bit hard to manage sometimes, but I'm really proud of him and how far he's come."