United States Eventing Association

Six New Champions Crowned at the Area IX Championships

The 2024 USEA Area IX Championships featured six divisions at The Event at Archer in Cheyenne, Wyoming, from Aug. 16-18. Meet the new champions below!

Preliminary Champions: Travis Atkinson & Calzini

Travis Atkinson, Lehi, Utah, and his own Calzini led the Preliminary Championship from start to finish (43.5). “Dexter,” an 8-year-old Westphalian gelding (Casual Chic Z x Stutbuch I Carla) was a risky purchase since Atkinson didn’t get a change to ride him first, “but he has risen to every challenge I’ve put in front of him. He is such an eager to please type of horse. He is alway trying his hardest to figure out his job and to do it well,” he said. “He is very different than my last horse which has forced me to really stretch and grow as a rider.”

Atkinson said cross-country was his favorite part of the weekend. “He meets every question with enthusiasm, and he gives you confidence that he is going to always get the job done,” he said. “On cross-country, it’s just you and your horse out there, and I feel like it’s the phase where I get to work on our partnership the most. You can make mistakes and work on your confidence without it always affecting your score, unlike dressage and show jump where mistakes typically do affect your score. I’ve been lucky enough to ride some really great horses, and I’m excited to add Dexter to that list!”

Modified Champions: Rebecca Caulfield & Fernhill Opulence

Rebcca Caulfield and her own Fernhill Opulence, a 14-year-old Holsteiner/Irish Sport Horse gelding (Pacino x Gorsehill Amber) led the Modified Championship from start to finish and ended on a score of 31.9. They won their final preparation event in the Open Modified at Bayou Gulch (Parker, Colorado) on Aug. 3.

Training Champions: Erin Contino & Handsome Ransom

Erin Contino and her own 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Handsome Ransom (Desert Warrior x St. Casmir's Secret) led the Training Championship from start to finish on their dressage score of 30.0. After finishing second in the Training Rider division at the 2022 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds (Lexington, Kentucky), they took a break in 2023 and returned to competition this year.

Novice Champions: Madison Ritsch & Taylamor Penelope

Taylor Ritsch and her own 13-year-old Welsch Cob mare Taylamor Penelope (Mary’s Prince Of Wales LOM x Trofarth Buddug) led the Novice Championship to finish on their dressage score of 30.0.

“My weekend was incredible,” said Ritsch. “Despite being in heat, ‘Penelope’ had her game face on in dressage and put down our best canter work of the year. Cross-country was far from a foot-perfect run, but sometimes that is how it goes! Penelope came out full of sass and tested me a few times towards the beginning of the course, but beyond jump 6 our ride felt like a conversation not an argument. We were able to keep our lead headed into stadium. Show jumping felt wonderful. Penelope was a bit tired after the demanding hills on Archer's cross-country course, but she kept up her nearly perfect show jumping record!”

Ritsch said her favorite part of the weekend was seeing the connection between Area IX riders and supporters.

“Area IX has evolved so much over the last decade, and to have everyone come together for a weekend of joy, laughter, and great rides was wonderful,” she said.

She’s had Penelope for eight years after buying her as a 5-year-old from a Welsh breeding farm that breeds them for combined driving.

“Penelope is probably the last horse on Earth that I would hook to a cart,” she said. “She is full of personality and excitement, but is also incredibly sassy, reactive, and anxious. This season has been a long time in the making, and I feel like Penelope and I are finally putting the pieces together. To see her trust in me blossom is so rewarding.”

The 23-year-old rider from Boulder is starting her second year of a PhD program this week.

“I study autonomous systems in the Aerospace Engineering Department of the University of Colorado Boulder and develop drones that are used for storm chasing,” she said. “Outside of school, I am very active on YouTube and enjoy sharing Penelope and my journey with the world!”

Beginner Novice Champions: Melinda Hofmeister & Berklee

Melinda Hofmeister and Berklee, a 14-year-old Paint/Clyesdale gelding of unrecorded breeding, moved up from second place after dressage to finish first on a score of 27.2.

“The Event at Archer Horse Trial is an amazing event with a gorgeous cross-country course on fairly intense terrain that always makes it so challenging and fun,” said Hofmeister. “Dressage didn't start out perfect; Berklee slipped in the mud causing a little tension, and although we laid down a solid score we were a point behind the leader. Cross-country and show jumping were absolutely perfect which moved us up to first place. Can't ask for a better weekend then that! Thank you to Area IX and all of our volunteers for such an amazing year! ”

Berklee is Hofmiester’s daughter Ingrid Hofmeister’s horse, but she trained him early on and got to pick up the ride this summer to get him in shape for her.

“He is one of the nicest horses we have ever owned and always gives his all during competition. He is also a crowd pleaser. Everyone loves Berklee!” she said.

Starter Champions: Bricelyn Koldenhoven & Blue Moon

Fifteen-year-old Bricelyn Koldenhoven, of Boulder, Colorado, and her own 13-year-old Welsh Pony gelding of unrecorded breeding Blue Moon finished on their dressage score of 35.0 to win the Starter Championship.

“The weekend went really well for Bricelyn and Blue,” said her mother, Diana Koldenhoven. “They were there just to have fun with the team and finish off the summer season strong. They were very excited when they finished on their dressage score without any penalties. She has never won a show before, not even a schooling show, so it was very fun to lead the victory lap too!”

Last spring, “Blue” fractured his coffin pone in the field and went through six months of stall rest and rehab and has made a full recovery. Diana said Bricelyn is just happy and grateful to be back out competing her pony.

“Bricelyn loves her horse more than anything. They have overcome some challenging times,” she said.