Avery Faye Smith Stays Steady to Win Marshall+Sterling Insurance/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final - East
September 26, 2025 — Upper Marlboro, MD — On the final day of the Marshall+Sterling Insurance/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final - East, Avery Faye Smith and Terrapin Hill Farm’s Keep Calm finished what they started, securing the championship after taking top honors in both the flat and gymnastics phases. Their win capped off the third day on Friday, September 26, of the Equitation Showcase, presented by BIGEQ.com, during the 2025 Capital Challenge Horse Show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD.
“I was super, super nervous. I really, really wanted to win, especially with it being my third time competing in this class, and especially because I won the first two phases,” admitted Smith. “All day I was pacing around the barn and just trying to find things to do. I was really nervous, but I performed well under pressure tonight, so it worked out.”
Avery Faye Smith and Keep Calm jump in top form as the last ride of the night. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Smith achieved the high score of 91.5 in the flat phase on Wednesday, and combined with her score of 89 in the gymnastics phase, which was multiplied by a coefficient of 1.5, Smith had a total score of 225 heading into the final. She returned last out of 199 riders for the jumping phase, and cheers erupted from the ingate as she and Keep Calm landed after the final jump on the course designed by Meghan Rawlins, Ken Krome, and Joe Carnicom.
Avery Faye Smith and Keep Calm accept their awards with 2024 winner Brooke Hagerty. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
“I was a little slow. I was a little bit conservative because I was going in on top,” explained Smith. “My horse has a massive stride, so I wasn't concerned about any of the lines. If anything, I was more concerned about the wall, but the course rode perfect. It was how I walked it.”
Judges Ginny Edwards and Mark Jungherr awarded her a score of 87.15, placing her fourth for the jumping phase. This score was multiplied by a coefficient of two and added to her previous score of 225 for a final score of 399.3. Smith was declared the clear champion, finishing with an eight-point advantage with no need for further testing.
Ella Tarumianz claimed second place overall with a score of 391.685 on Dr. Betsee Parker’s Daktari, and Rosemary Bilson earned third place with a score of 385.495 aboard Que Color, owned by Cherokee Show Horses.
Smith and Keep Calm cap off the successful night with a victory gallop. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
The 18-year-old rider from Wallowa, OR, grew up riding on the West Coast but has since moved east. She said, “Recently, I moved to Florida, where I train with Hunter Holloway, Caroline McLeese, and Don Stewart. It's really changed my life. I have opportunities I never thought I'd ever get.”
One of those opportunities was the chance to ride her mount, Keep Calm. The flat phase of the USHJA Jumper Seat Medal Final - East was the pair’s debut in the show ring, but their relationship has grown steadily over the week. “I think we’ve definitely adjusted to each other,” Smith shared about the 10-year-old KWPN gelding named “Scotty” in the barn. “I feel like even in a couple days, he’s really grown and I’ve really grown. Our partnership really formed very quickly.”
Five age group equitation section A division champions and reserve champions were also named on Thursday and Friday:
12 & Under Equitation
Champion: Fiona Fitzgerald, of Walpole, MA, riding her own Étoile
Reserve: Lilly Rae Buncher, of Spring, TX, riding Buncher Sporthorses, LLC’s Be Like Me SH
13- & 14-Year-Old Equitation
Sponsored by Elvenstar Farm
Champion: Kenzie Smith, of Shoreham, NY, riding Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s Lagerfeld
Reserve: Olivia Johnson, of Philadelphia, PA, riding SGD Equestrian LLC’s After Dark
15-Year-Old Equitation
Sponsored by Fairy Tale Farms
Champion: Lilly Herzog, of Pepper Pike, OH, riding Sadie Leon’s Qwantreau
Reserve: Mimi Maddock, of New York, NY, riding Vandenburg Equine LLC’s Smokeshow 8
16-Year-Old Equitation
Sponsored by Victoria Colvin, LLC
Champion: Isabella Salas, of Oakton, VA, riding her own Cactus
Reserve: Hailey Eynon, of Rolling Hills Estates, CA, riding MZ Farms LLC’s Castelino 5
17-Year-Old Equitation
Sponsored by Ashland Farms
Champion: Avery Faye Smith, of Wilsonville, OR, riding Terrapin Hill Farm, LLC’s Keep Calm
Reserve: Olivia Aul, of Woodinville, WA, riding her own Iggy Pop
Adult Amateur Equitation Section A
Sponsored by Next Venue Farm
Champion: Kate Hagerty, of Bonneville, OR, riding The Hagerty Family’s All In Z
Reserve: Hannah Klinedinst, of Dallas, TX, riding Equestrian Closet, LLC’s MTM Brando
Adult Amateur Equitation Section B
Sponsored by Next Venue Farm
Champion: Reilly Canard, of Philomont, VA, riding Charlotte Rossetter’s Jinter Van Het Hagehof
Reserve: Sinead Fennelly, of Schaumburg, IL, riding Ryan Sassmannshausen’s Thunder Mountain
The 2025 Capital Challenge Horse Show will continue on Saturday, September 27, for the penultimate day of the Equitation Showcase. Feature classes include the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children’s Medal Finals, the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Children’s Hunter Final, presented by Charles Ancona, the North American Junior Flat Equitation Championships, and section B age group equitation divisions.