Paige Walkenbach Wins NHSAA/ASPCA Maclay Region 8 Championship
Paige Walkenbach and Cent 15. Photo by McCool Photography
San Juan Capistrano, Calif. – September 16, 2024 – Winning an NHSAA/ASPCA Maclay Regional Championship runs in the family for Paige Walkenbach. On Sunday, September 15, Walkenbach followed in her older sister Lanie’s footsteps, earning victory aboard Cent 15 in the NHSAA/ASPCA Maclay Region 8 Championship at Blenheim EquiSports.
For the championship class – held during the Blenheim Fall Tournament in San Juan Capistrano, CA – the Ortega Ebb & Flow Arena and the adjacent VIP Medal Club at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park were adorned in the National Horse Show’s signature orange and black. Inside the ring, the track set by course designer Scott Starnes presented a test reminiscent to what riders may face at the ASPCA Maclay National Championship at the National Horse Show in October.
Paige Walkenbach and Cent 15. Photo by McCool Photography
A field of 28 riders took on that track before judges Bob Crandall and James Waldman ultimately narrowed it down to the top five to return for further testing. At the conclusion of the opening round and the flat phase, Walkenbach sat in second place, with Gable Gering holding the lead heading into the work-off.
The test asked riders to canter straight from the ingate, and Walkenbach did just that, cantering straight to the top of the leaderboard with a well-executed ride over the six-fence test. Second place went to Brooke O’Malley on Quijote; Camilla Jerng and Hurricane finished in third; Madilynn Lo Porto and Kentucky took home fourth, and Gering and Habantos ended up in fifth.
For the win, Walkenbach, who trains with James Hagman of Elvenstar, was presented with an ASPCA gold medal, a Topline Design Ribbon Wreaths picture frame and a custom show coat from Pacific Saddlery, among other prizes.
Walkenbach’s winning mount, Cent 15, was also presented with the “Vigo” Perpetual Trophy as the Best Equitation Horse. The 16-year-old Hanoverian was previously competed successfully in the equitation ring by siblings Dominic and Jordan Gibbs before Walkenbach Equestrian LLC acquired the gelding. Walkenbach took over the show ring ride in March of this year and was quickly piloting “Cent” to top results.
For full results of the NHSAA/ASPCA Maclay Regional Championship, click here.
