John French and Valentino BF are Grand at 2025 Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships
Three new green hunter champions were crowned on November 12, 2025, at the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships, held at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas. Fresh off Tuesday’s $25,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby win, John French and Valentino BF captured the Grand Green Hunter title as riders across all green hunter classes competed for a total of $17,000 in prize money.
Sarah Moberg and Trouvaille claimed the title of champion of the 3’ Green Hunters, and they were awarded the 3’ Green Hunter Division Perpetual Trophy. Together, Moberg and Trouvaille placed first in the $500 3’ Green Hunter Welcome and second in the $1,000 3’ Green Hunter Stake.
Owned by Isabel Dyckerhoff, Trouvaille has been learning the ropes in the 3’ division since he came under Moberg’s purview last year. “We imported him about a year ago, and he has just been learning how to do the 3’ classes. He’s really grown this year,” Moberg said. “We’re super proud of him, and he stepped up to the 3’3” Juniors with [Dyckerhoff], too. He’s doing a really great job.”
Moberg describes the 7-year-old Belgian Warmblood as a trustworthy partner at the atmospheric South Point Arena. “He is so brave,” she said. “A lot of horses are spooky in indoor venues, and he’s just so brave. I know I can always trust him to take me to the other side.”
Kari Swainston and Outspoken, owned by Outreach Backstage Pass recipient Stacy Nelles, went home with the reserve champion ribbon.
It was no surprise when John French and Branscomb Farms LLC’s Valentino BF were crowned champions in the USHJA 3’3″ Green Hunters, earning them the Green Hunter 3’3″ Division Puissance R’ Trophy, donated by Steve and Lisa Hankin. The pair earned two wins and two second-place finishes in the division to ultimately also clinch the Grand Green Hunter title. A score of 90 in the stake class also earned them the co-High Score Green Hunter award.
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