United States Eventing Association

The USEA Area IV Championships took place on Oct. 18-20 at the Windermere Run Horse Trials in Grandview, Missouri, and six new Area IV champions were crowned from the Starter to Preliminary levels. Get to know each of them better below!

Training Champions: Rayna Williams & Storm Surge

Rayna Williams describes her 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Storm Surge (Too Much Bling x Penny Lake) as a very forgiving and honest horse who she has become really good friends with over the course of their three-year partnership.

“He is the kind of horse that, once he understands what you're asking, he tries his absolute hardest every time to make you happy,” noted Williams.

“Odey,” who raced 23 times in Texas, and Williams have worked their way up from their first Beginner Novice event together to now having multiple wins at the Training level, including now winning the Area IV Training Championship. They now have their sights set on a move up to Modified in 2025.

“My favorite memory from the Championships was how the Area IV community came together to support our young rider program,” reflected Williams. “Our Area IV young riders hosted a pizza party fundraiser, and it made me so happy to see so many people come out and offer their immense support for the program!”

Novice Champions: Jessica Ptak-Hooker & Mr. Flattery

When Michelle Ptak found the now 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Mr. Flattery (Flatter x Intimacy) in a Facebook thread two years ago, she and her husband Brian Ptak went in with Donna Wasson to purchase him for their daughter, Jessica Ptak-Hooker.

“My mare was having some soundness issues at the time,” Ptak-Hooker said. “I had no real plans for him, but he has ended up being one of the best horses I've ever had. He is so fun to ride and has the biggest personality; a bit like Jekyll and Hyde! You never have to guess what he is thinking.”

She joked about how much “Stetson” hates being doted on, but he thrives in his work routine. She hopes that he will carry that strong work ethic into an upper-level eventing career, but if he doesn’t seem to love that job, she aims to shift his focus to dressage so she can pursue obtaining her U.S. Dressage Federation medals.

The pair led their division from start to finish after kicking off the weekend on a score of 25.6. They added one rail in show jumping to take home the win with a 29.6.

Ptak-Hooker was thrilled with not only Stetson’s performance the weekend of the Championship but also with the experience at Windermere Run as a whole.

“I think eventing in Area IV is super special,” she said. “We aren't a huge area and are not an eventing mecca, so the events we do have are really well run, with high attention to detail, and have great prizes and the Championships were no exception this year! John [Staples] and his team did a great job running the event. I am so proud of Stetson and the horse he is becoming so it feels great to end the season on such a high. I just love him!”

Beginner Novice Champions: Renee Senter & Regina

Renee Senter has had Regina, whom she lovingly calls Ginny, for four years. She notes that the 17-year-old Holsteiner mare (Regulus x Nellina) has been a wonderful teacher for her.

“Ginny is very properly trained,” noted Senter. “She prefers a correct and confident ride and has spent our time together helping me fix all my bad riding habits!”

As the pair have learned about each other over the course of their partnership, it's made Senter all the more appreciative of weekends like the one at Windermere run.

“This win is so very special because although I have a very nice horse, she cannot succeed if I do not ride her the way she requires,” she shared. “For the last two years, I took a hiatus from competing to do whatever I could to improve my mental and physical riding skills. Ginny had become such a nervous and insecure horse due to my bad habits. With the help and endless patience of my friend and trainer, Julie Wolfert, we went back to the basics—so many ground poles—and oh-so-slowly rebuilt the partnership. Having a happier and more relaxed horse is truly my ‘win’ this year and what made our Area IV Championship success possible.”

The pair finished their weekend on the same score in which they started, a 26.6.

Starter Champions: Brynn Liberda & Rumor Has It

Brynn Liberda refers to her 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Rumor Has It as the sweetest, but quirkiest horse she has ever met.

“It has been a learning curve figuring out how to ride her and she's definitely not easy but it's so amazing to see our hard work start to pay off,” she said.

After a year and a half together, the pair made their USEA-recognized debut together in September at the Otter Creek Fall H.T. (Wheeler, Wisconsin) and also had an outing at the Sundance Farm H.T. (Plymouth, Wisconsin) later that month. During the weekend at Windermere Run, it was their cross-country trip that stood out to Liberda

“This is only our third show ever and our first time going clear so it was so much fun letting her open up and having the confidence to do so,” reflected Liberda. “I went into the year happy if I was able to take Rumor off property for a clinic and not get bucked off, so if you told me I was going to win the Area IV Starter Championship I most definitely would have laughed in your face. It's exciting to see our partnership growing, and I'm thrilled to see what's in store for us next year!”

Preliminary Champions: Rebecca Hunt & Snowflake Lane

In the Area IV Preliminary Championship, Rebecca Hunt piloted her own 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare Snowflake Lane (Dunkirk x Correoso) to the win.

Modified Champions: Ann Bower & San Rubin

Ann Bower rode her own 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding San Rubin (Swarovski x Ratina K II) to the Area IV Modified Championship title.