Top junior equitation athletes competed at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pa. for the 2025 USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – East.
This unique medal final follows the NCEA varsity format. Riders navigate a 3’3” equitation course and perform an under-saddle phase. The top four advance to the bracket phase, switching horses to determine final placements. All phases occur in one day.
Champion: Ivy Bonds and Colonel Orange
The 16-year-old Ivy Bonds (Aiken, S.C.) rode Colonel Orange, a 2018 Hanoverian gelding owned by Horse Show Imports LLC, to victory. The horse, nicknamed “Curt,” was new to the equitation ring, but the pair quickly built a strong partnership.
“Curt was imported about six weeks before NCEA finals, which was his third show in America,” said Bonds.
“I always try to be a few steps ahead of his thought process at home and in the show ring. Overall, he has handled everything extremely well.”
Bonds trains with Cathy and Celia Cram at Highfields LLC and has prior catch-riding experience, which helped during the bracket phase.
She placed second in both jumping and flat phases before earning the top score in the bracket phase, securing the championship.
Reserve Champion and Top Placements
- Reserve Champion: Maxima Lanasa (Palm Beach, Fla.) on Mi Amor Van’t Eigenlo – placed 2nd overall.
- Third Place: Mila Lieberman (Washington, D.C.) on Congrato – consistent 3rd in all phases.
- Fourth Place: Brooke Parkinson (Oklahoma City, Okla.) on Actionable – top score in the jumping phase.
Maxima Lanasa noted the competition prepared her for college riding and strengthened her flatwork skills. She recently committed to the University of South Carolina.
Upcoming Events
- USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West: Nov. 9, 2025
- Full Results & USEF/NCEA Medal Program Info: Click here
US Equestrian members can watch the 2025 Pennsylvania National Horse Show, including the USEF/NCEA Medal Final, on-demand via USEF Network.
