WACO, Texas – The USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final - West was crowned on Sunday, November 9, at the Sunshine Series II at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, Calif.
The National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) sends warm congratulations to the 2025 winner, Violet Tatum of Los Angeles, and horse, Kruz!
You can read the USEF's full recap of the event
here.
Violet is committed to Auburn University to be a part of their 2027 class.
About the USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final
The USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal is a two-phase class with an over fences and a flat portion. The Finals include an additional bracket-format phase that requires riders to compete on unfamiliar horses in a format similar to that of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA).
There are two different regions that will host NCEA Medal Finals: East Coast and West Coast. Both of these Finals are conducted as a three-phase competition.
- Fences Phase: To be shown over a minimum of eight fences 3' 3” in height, spread not to exceed fence height. The course may be either a Jumper or Hunter type course and must include at least two changes of direction and a combination. Water obstacles and liverpools are not permitted. An open numerical scoring system must be used in the first phase, with each rider's score announced at the completion of their round.
- Flat Phase: The top 20% or top ten scoring riders, whichever is greater, will return for the flat phase. Judges will test riders on their skills on the flat by asking for a demonstration of additional basic dressage movements such as the shoulder in, haunches in, or leg yield.
- Bracket Phase: The Flat and Fences phase will both count equally in the determination of the top 4 riders to return for the Bracket phase to compete on neutral horses. The fourth and first place rider will compete over a course of at least 8 fences on the same horse. The second and third place rider will compete over a course of at least 8 fences on the same horse. The winners of each head to head will compete for the championship and reserve.
About the NCEA
The National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing collegiate equestrian, an emerging NCAA sport for women. In partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the NCEA provides opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the highest level while achieving excellence in academics and athletics.
To stay up to date all year long on all things NCEA Equestrian, follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @NCEA_Equestrian and @ncea_eq.
- collegiateequestrian.com -