Maddie Tosh Captures Victory in EMO Insurance Agency/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final – East

The EMO Insurance Agency/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final – East came to a close on Friday, September 30, during Equitation Weekend, presented by BIGEQ.com, at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Taking top honors in the competitive class was Maddie Tosh aboard Daktari 38.

Tosh of Milton, Georgia, and Missy Clark’s Daktari 38 bested a large field of 161 horse-and-rider combinations over three phases of competition. The first portion tested the competitors on the flat by asking riders to show off their ability to counter canter and lengthen their horses’ stride. The flat was followed by a gymnastics course and a final jumping phase both designed by Ken Krome. Tosh sat in second place going into the last round after scoring an 85.1 on the flat and an 85.5 in the gymnastics phase, in which scores were multiplied by a coefficient of 1.5. In the final round, where scores were multiplied by a coefficient of 2, Tosh’s high score of 87 put her at the top of the scoreboard with an overall total of 387.35.

“Coming into the final phase I felt like I could really trust him,” explained Tosh. “He’s been so amazing the whole time we’ve had him. I felt like I could go in there and put in a nice, confident round because he’s always there for me, and he’s a really great partner.”

Although Daktari is only seven years old and this class was his first indoor final, the Hanoverian gelding handled the atmosphere with ease. Tosh also remained cool under pressure to guide Daktari 38 to a brilliant fault-free third round.

“I thought it was a forward course, which was good for my horse because he has a big stride,” said Tosh. “I was able to pick up a gallop and keep it the whole time. It’s always nice inside because I feel like the horses know it’s a little bit different and special.

“He’s really been great all the way through,” continued Tosh of her mount who was named Best Equitation Horse. “I thought the flat was good. Then in the gymnastics phase, he couldn’t have been any better, so I felt like we had a strong start coming into today. I’d honestly rather come back in second than on top. It gave me a little wiggle room. He was amazing, and I just couldn’t ask any more from him.”

Still a fairly new pair, Tosh and Daktari 38 have been partnered for the last year. The 16-year-old rider trains with her father and top professional hunter rider Hunt Tosh. Although the horse is owned by Missy Clark of North Run, Betsee Parker leases the gelding for Tosh.

“He tries so hard, he’s so sweet, and he has such a great personality,” commented Tosh. “This has been a lot for him this week, being his first final. He came here last year and just did the age group–he didn’t do a final. He just handled it like a champ. He does whatever you ask him to. He’s so young, but he’s so brave.”

Vivian Golden of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, and her own Cap Ferrat earned second place honors with an overall score of 382.275. Third place was awarded to Isa Jensen of Albany, New York, and Happy Boy after they received a total score of 376.75.

The USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal serves as a stepping stone for equitation riders, providing an opportunity to qualify and compete in a national equitation final at fence heights of 3’3”. The Medal is open to Junior riders who have not competed in any of the following National Equitation Finals with fences at 3’6” within the same competition year, including USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, ASPCA Maclay Finals, USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals (East or West), WIHS Equitation Classic Finals, Jump Canada Medal Finals or the North American Equitation Championship.

To learn more about the USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal, visit ushja.org/HunterSeatMedal.

EMO Insurance Agency/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Final - East Results

Rider | Horse | Overall Score
1. Maddie Tosh | Daktari 38 | 387.35
2. Vivian Golden | Cap Ferrat | 382.275
3. Isa Jensen | Happy Boy | 376.75
4. Cecelia Perry | Surely | 374.35
5. Abigail Gordon | Breckenridge | 373.5
6. Maxine Boeding | Jalabert | 371.75
7. Lily Epstein | Cumano Boy Z | 371.5
8. Eva Mackenzie | Demonia GS Z | 369.4
9. Annabelle Brown | Nemesis 11 | 368.4
10. Grace O’Connell | Calavino | 368.4
11. Cassidy Exner | S&L Cellestino | 376.625
12. Isabella Mullan | Coltino | 366.55

About the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association
The United States Hunter Jumper Association, as the official Hunter/Jumper affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation, is a competition-based sport organization that serves our members through educational programs, awards and recognition, communication, and rules. We provide a wide array of programs for all Hunter/Jumper levels, and we are mindful of the well-being of our equine partners. Additionally, we are committed to preserving the history of our sport, and through our Foundation, we support charitable and benevolent services. Learn more at ushja.org.