Violet Tatum and Just Apple are Just Amazing in $150,000 USHJA WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular
Violet Tatum, 17, made history on Friday, March 13, by becoming the first junior rider to win the $150,000 USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider West Coast Hunter Spectacular presented by Core Specialty. Tatum and Just Apple, owned by Becky Equestrian LLC, led the class from beginning to end to take home the victory during Desert Circuit 10.
The prestigious class – held on the West Coast since 2013 – attracted 58 entries for the opening, classic hunter round on Friday afternoon at Desert International Horse Park. Following the first round, the field was narrowed to the top 18 horses for a handy hunter round under the lights of the Grand Prix Stadium.
Tatum and Just Apple’s opening round over the Meghan Rawlins-designed course earned them an average score of 90 from the two judging panels, composed of Connie Dorsch, Richard Slocum, William Sparks and Steve Whal. That score put them on top of the leaderboard heading into Friday evening’s handy.
“I was definitely very nervous!” said Tatum of coming back in the first-place position. “I’ve never really been on top in a professional class like that.”
Tatum’s nerves certainly did not show, however, as she and Just Apple returned to earn a second-round score of 87.625 for an overall, winning average score of 88.81.
Second place with scores of 89.25 and 87.75 for an overall average of 88.50 went to Halie Robinson and Simba de Vinck, owned by Big Picture LLC. Finishing in third were Mia Campf and In The End, owned by Lynn Olson. The pair earned scores of 87 and 87.50 for an 87.25 average.
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