The Arion Sellier Equitation Championship brought young riders into the spotlight during the final weekend of the 2026 HITS Hudson Valley Summer Series on Saturday, September 5. Held during Championship Week, the prestigious class offered riders an opportunity to put their preparation to the test ahead of the fall equitation finals, rewarding consistency, thoughtful decision-making, and polished horsemanship across multiple rounds. When the final scores were tallied, it was Adrianna Forte and Commander Bond, who rose to the occasion and claimed the championship title.
Course designer Kerry Kocher of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, set a thoughtful track in the Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium that challenged riders to demonstrate accuracy, style, and adaptability while allowing the strongest partnerships to rise to the top. Junior and amateur riders under the age of 21 from the equitation divisions stepped forward to contest the championship in front of an esteemed judging panel consisting of Scott Williamson and Mike Rosser.
With multiple rounds standing between the riders and the championship title, consistency was key. Following the opening round, the top 15 competitors returned for a second trip in reverse order of merit before the top four were called back once more for a final test.
Forte, of Water Mill, New York, piloted ESI Show Jumper’s 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Corrado I x For Pleasure), Commander Bond, to a strong start. The pair impressed in the opening round, earning a score of 90 to take the lead heading into round two. A score of 82 in the second round moved them into fourth place ahead of the final test, keeping the championship well within reach.
With everything on the line, Forte and Commander Bond delivered when it mattered most. A final polished performance propelled the pair back to the top of the leaderboard and secured the 2026 Arion Sellier Equitation Championship title.
“Commander Bond only came to us last weekend, so this week was a bit of a trial period before we head to USET Finals in Gladstone, New Jersey later this month,” explained Forte. “I don’t really know him that well, but it didn’t take long to fall in love with him.”
Heading into the final test, Forte knew she had an opportunity to take a few calculated risks if she wanted to make her way back to the top.
“Our first round was very smooth, but the second round was a little bit of testing to see his abilities. Obviously, our score was lower in the second round, but it actually made me more confident going into the test. I wanted to go for a smooth round, and I knew he could do it flawlessly.”
The victory also carried an added reward for the team behind Forte’s success. In addition to coaching the newly crowned champion, Heritage Farm earned the impressive $25,000 trainer bonus offered as part of the Arion Sellier Equitation Championship, recognizing the preparation and training that goes into developing riders for the highest levels of equitation competition. For Forte, the championship also provided valuable preparation as she looks ahead to the highly anticipated fall Finals season.
“We aim for this class all year,” she said. “I got to jump some water with him, and the second round had a bit of the gymnastics style, so it made me feel really confident going into the finals season. I’ve been riding in Arion saddles for almost four years, and they’re amazing. I’m very grateful to them for sponsoring this class.”
The battle for the top of the leaderboard remained close through the final test. Emi Richard ultimately earned reserve honors aboard Diaceur, Heritage Farm Inc.’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Landlord). Wyatt Rofey completed the top three aboard Dayton de Semilly, his own 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Diamant de Semilly x Atlas I).
Alongside Saturday’s jumper and equitation action, the packed Championship Week schedule also featured the $25,000 USHJA Junior National Hunter Derby and the $25,000 USHJA Amateur National Hunter Derby.
In the $25,000 USHJA Amateur National Hunter Derby, Haley Waters Wear guided Bull Run’s Luminous, Chuck Waters’s nine-year-old Warmblood mare by Valentino, to the top of the leaderboard with a two-round total of 183.
“Kristen Vanderveen imported her last fall and gave me a call saying she would be a nice hunter, and It’s safe to say I believed her,” laughed the amateur rider from Ocala, Florida. “The prize money offered for the hunters this week is incredible, so we loaded up the baby and the horses and headed north!”
Reynolds Cole rode Wood View LLC’s Bozzic, a 10-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Balou x Sting), to a two-round total of 180.50 to secure second place. Rounding out the top three was Sophia Tobasso aboard Irresistible, Piper Kennedy’s 13-year-old KWPN gelding (Untouchable x Concorde), who earned a total score of 179.
In the $25,000 USHJA Junior National Hunter Derby, Eleanor Pieters topped the leaderboard aboard Tibri’s Purple Rain with a two-round total of 179.
“He’s actually my equitation horse, but I’ve been doing him in the derbies all year to school the rideability,” said Pieters of Tibri LLC’s eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Cicero. “We actually did this class to prep for the Arion Equitation Championship later today, so it worked out quite nicely.”
Close behind, Lacey Powers rode Heritage Farm Inc.’s Braxton, the seven-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Canoso x Najed), to second place with a score of 178. Caroline Freeman rounded out the podium aboard St. Somewhere, Rabbitt Root Stables LLC’s 10-year-old Warmblood gelding, with a score of 177.50.
Hunter competition continues Sunday with some of the week’s most highly anticipated classes, headlined by the $300,000 ClipMyHorse.TV 3’6” Open Hunter Classic, as well as the $50,000 ClipMyHorse.TV Junior Hunter Classic and $50,000 ClipMyHorse.TV Amateur Hunter Classic. For a full list of results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com.
