Thermal, California — November 2025 — The high-desert sun set the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – West, where Nicole McMillion delivered a masterclass in resilience and catch-riding. In a field of the region’s most promising young athletes, McMillion rose from a seventh-place standing to secure the championship title, marking a career-defining victory in her final year of eligibility.
Partnering with the veteran Oldenburg stallion Change Up PS, affectionately known in the barn as “Timmy,” McMillion navigated a grueling multi-day format that tested the very limits of horsemanship. The win was a testament to her ability to perform under pressure, a skill honed on the varsity equestrian team at Texas A&M University.
Nicole McMillion A Test of Versatility and Grit
The Talent Search Finals are unique in the equestrian world, designed to bridge the gap between the equitation ring and the technical demands of international show jumping. This year, judges Lillie Keenan and Jimmy Torano introduced a revised format that required riders to complete an individual flatwork pattern immediately followed by a gymnastics test.
While the opening phases on Friday saw Katalina Raiszadeh take an early lead with a commanding score of 90 in the gymnastics, McMillion found herself in seventh place after a few minor “bobbles” on the flat. However, as the judges emphasized during the initial riders’ meeting, the competition is a marathon, not a sprint.
“I knew that today is weighted the heaviest,” McMillion remarked following the jumping phase, “and I thought that this was probably the phase that Timmy shines in.”
The Climb to the Top Four
Saturday’s Phase III featured a technical jumper-style course that demanded precision, pace, and scope. It was here that McMillion and Change Up PS found their rhythm. The stallion, who carried Avery Glynn to the same title in 2024, showed exactly why he is considered one of the best in the business. His effortless power and McMillion’s steady hand allowed them to surge up the leaderboard, securing a coveted spot in the final Phase IV ride-off.
Joining McMillion in the final four were Shiloh Roseboom, Sophia Blake, and Katalina Raiszadeh. The atmosphere at the Desert International Horse Park reached a fever pitch as the four riders prepared for the ultimate challenge: the horse swap.
The Masterclass Ride-Off for Nicole McMillion
In the final phase, each of the four athletes must jump a shortened course on their own horse before rotating to ride each of their competitors’ mounts. With only two minutes to warm up and two jumps allowed per horse, the phase is a pure test of “feel” and adaptability.
McMillion’s collegiate experience proved to be her “secret weapon.” Accustomed to the NCEA format where riders must compete on unfamiliar horses, she appeared seamless on every mount she sat on. Judges Keenan and Torano noted that while all four riders showed immense talent, it was McMillion’s ability to adjust her ride to suit each horse’s specific needs that set her apart.
“What stood out about Nicole was her riding of all four horses,” Lillie Keenan observed. “She continued to ride seamlessly, but she adjusted her ride per horse. That’s really what that test is about.”
A Legacy Continued for “Timmy”
While McMillion’s skill was the catalyst, the story of Change Up PS (owned by Summerhouse Farm, LLC) added a layer of historical significance to the win. By helping McMillion to the gold, the stallion secured back-to-back Talent Search – West titles.
McMillion, who only sat on the horse for the first time three days before the finals began, credited the stallion’s intelligence and generosity. “He is incredible. He could jump the moon if you ask,” she said. Her victory also earned her trainer, James Hagman of Elvenstar, the Leading Trainer Award, a fitting tribute to a partnership that has spanned years of development.
Implications for the Future
The 2025 Finals didn’t just crown a champion; they highlighted the depth of talent currently rising through the American ranks. Shiloh Roseboom claimed the Reserve Championship after a stellar weekend, while Sophia Blake and Katalina Raiszadeh rounded out the top four, proving that the West Coast remains a powerhouse of equestrian excellence.
Additional honors included the Gulliver Trophy for Best Horse, which went to Photoshop (ridden by Emma Whidden), and the Sportsmanship Award, presented to Valentina Lehner for her exemplary conduct throughout the week.
A Defining Moment for Nicole McMillion
For Nicole McMillion, the 2025 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – West was the perfect “final bow” to her junior and young rider career. By transforming a seventh-place start into a championship finish, she demonstrated the exact qualities the Talent Search aims to foster: technical excellence, mental toughness, and an intuitive connection with the horse.
As the dust settled in Thermal, it was clear that “The McMillion Method”—a blend of collegiate experience and raw talent—had set a new benchmark for future contenders.
