Weiss Wraps Up Victory in Ariat National Adult Medal Final

After a year of qualifying competitions, the top 27 adult equitation riders in the country took to the ring for the 2026 Ariat National Adult Medal Final. The top 10 were invited back for a second round to determine this year’s winner. Brendan Weiss of Haverford, PA, and Audi 2000 Z, owned by North Run, jumped to victory with scores of 89.33 and 89.66, and their total of 178.99 eclipsed the need for a work-off.

Erin Brody of Rockville Centre, NY, and her own Salvatore received scores of 86.5 and 84.5 for a 171 total and second place. Riding Hardwell owned by Summer Stone Farm, Willow Vince of Verbank, NY, placed third with scores of 85.16 and 83.66 for a total of 168.82.

Brendan Weiss stands for presentation.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

Weiss, 34, already has a decorated adult equitation career, having won the North American Adult Equitation Championship two years ago at Capital Challenge, as does his mount, who won the same class in 2021 with Claire Stevenson. Weiss rode Audi 2000 Z in last year’s Ariat NAM Final as well and placed fifth. With a smooth and accurate ride this year, the victory was his.

“Trevor Hawthorne, Lily Marchetti, and her family were nice enough to let me use him last year, and he was amazing,” he said of the 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Arko III. “He was just a little bit extra amazing this year. That horse is such a mastermind and knows exactly what he's doing. My plan was to trust the horse, and know that he would be there with me. He's such an awesome horse, so I'm really, really lucky to get the ride.”

Brendan Weiss and Audi 2000 Z in the ARIAT National Adult Medal Final.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

After a break from riding after college to focus on a career in medical device sales, Weiss returned to competition in 2023 after meeting trainer Kim Buzby. Equitation is close to Weiss’s heart for a variety of reasons.

“The equitation has certainly been a focus of ours,” he explained. “I think the nice part of it is I don't have to own a horse to do it. When I get lucky and people let me borrow their horses, it's really amazing. I love how it's a mix of the hunters and the jumpers, and you have to focus on the track, make it smooth, and make it look as perfect as it can be, which is sometimes really tough.”

What Weiss also appreciates is the opportunity to have a class like the Ariat NAM Final as a goal for the year.

Brendan Weiss and Audi 2000 Z put their horsepower to good use to win the ARIAT National Adult Medal Final.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

“It's awesome that Ariat is a continued supporter of the class,” he said. “It’s the biggest class of the year for me, and I know it is for a lot of people. It's a very fun final to compete in. The pressure is on, and we all are trying to win this class. I can't thank them enough for providing that.”

Listen to Brendan Weiss discuss his win in the Ariat National Adult Medal Final