Maryam Ghassemi Tops USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs – West
Maryam Ghassemi and Al Capone. Photo by McCool Photography
USHJA Press Release
July 31, 2024 — San Juan Capistrano, Calif. — Maryam Ghassemi rode to victory in the second annual USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs – West on July 27 during the Blenheim Racing Festival in San Juan Capistrano, California.
Following three rounds of competition, Ghassemi, of Laguna Beach, California, earned the coveted tri-colored ribbons aboard Oak Creek Farms LLC’s Al Capone. The reserve champion title went to Sophia Blake, of Santa Barbara, California, riding Emme Tangen’s Carleo. Lanie Walkenbach, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, piloting Copenhagen owned by Elvenstar Farm, rounded out the top three.
“My horse, Capone, I have had for four years now. He used to do the Jumpers and we have transitioned into the Equitation,” Ghassemi said of her mount. “He is a big puppy who is very sweet and always willing to come out and try his best.”
Thirty-two entries took on the first phase course, the Classic Hunter Round, designed by Scott Starnes of Trabuco Canyon, California, and judged under the watchful eyes of Virginia “Ginny” Edwards of Wellington, Florida, and Mark Bone of Wellington, Florida. After the first round, Ghassemi was ranked fifth on a score of 84.5. Holding the lead was Blake on a score of 87, with Walkenbach in second on an 86, and Molly Stewart, of Carlsbad, California, riding her own HD Likeur to sit close behind in third on a 85.5.
From there, the field narrowed to the top 20 riders, who returned for the Handy Round in reverse order of standings. No stranger to the pressure of returning to the second round, Ghassemi and Al Capone had a top-ten finish in the inaugural 2023 USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs – West. This year, the pair made an impressive comeback and put forth a beautiful round to earn an 88 in the Handy, moving into second with a cumulative score of 172.5 and securing her spot in the work-off. Blake added an 86.5 for a two-round score of 173.5, which held her first-place position, whereas Walkenbach moved down into third place after an added score of 85.5, giving her a total score of 171.5. The fourth and final rider to secure a spot in the work-off was Emily Williams, of Santa Clarita, California, with her own Carlo sitting on a total of 168.
“I liked the Handy Round because we were asked to trot and then go into the hand gallop,” Ghassemi, who rides with Paige Dendiu, said. “In the work-off, we had to go into the counter canter, so I feel the courses asked a lot of good questions for all of us.”
With the competition close between the top four, Ghassemi stood out and put in a beautiful Final Round where she gracefully executed a hand gallop fence, counter canter fence, simple changes, and sitting trot. With that, Ghassemi claimed the tricolors.
Maryam Ghassemi and Al Capone. Photo by McCool Photography
“I came into the Final Round sitting in second so I knew I had to do something impressive,” she continued of her rounds. “I landed from the hand gallop and held my counter canter through the swoop and my horse was perfect; he answered all of the questions that I asked of him.”
For her championship win, Ghassemi won an Essex Classics riding shirt, a cooler, and a keeper trophy.
“When I was sitting in the lineup, I was nervous,” Ghassemi stated. “I was happy that I got a top four finish and once I heard them call the reserve champion, I knew we could only be champion, so I was really happy. I am thankful to the Highland Farms team, the Durango Farms team, and everybody at home who made this possible for us.”
Coming in third overall and awarded the Best Equitation Horse was Copenhagen and Walkenbach.
Lanie Walkenbach and Copenhagen. Photo by McCool Photography
The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs is a three-round class that combines the precision of Equitation and the handiness of Hunters over a course set at 3’. The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs is open to any Amateur rider that has placed first, second or third in Adult Equitation classes at 2’9” or higher, or 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal class, Taylor Harris Insurance Adult Medal class, and Ariat National Adult Medal class at a competition with a start date of June 1 and an end date 45 days prior to the Championship date. Riders must be an active USHJA Amateur member at the time of competition in order to compete.
The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Blenheim EquiSports team for hosting the Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs. The USHJA also thanks Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and Award Sponsors Essex Classics.
For more information about the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic visit ushja.org/Gladstone.
USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs Results
Rider | Horse | Trainer
Round 1 | Round 2 | Two-Round Score*
*The Final Round was not scored.
1. Maryam Ghassemi | Al Capone | Paige Dendiu
84.5 | 88 | 172.5
2. Sophia Blake | Carleo | Tasha Visokay
87 | 86.5 | 173.5
3. Lanie Walkenbach | Copenhagen | James Hagman
86 | 85.5 | 171.5
4. Emily Williams | Carlo | Karli Schroeder
82 | 86 | 168
5. Breanna Bunevacz | Alex Zander | Tasha Visokay
83 | 84 | 167
6. Malya Hersha | Dylano Z | Robert Leckie
85 | 81.5 | 166.5