Isabella Salas Wins Gymnastics Phase, Natalie Wheeler Leads Overall

The second phase of the Marshall + Sterling/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final - East took center stage in The Show Place Arena again on Thursday. Designed by Meghan Rawlins and Ken Krome, the gymnastics course featured several bending lines, a bounce, trot fence, and a swedish oxer as just several of the elements meant to challenge the riders in the field. The 168 horse-and-rider combinations returned in reverse order of score, leaving those leading after the flat phase at the advantage of watching their peers conclude the track first.

Despite returning 92nd in the order, Isabella Salas’ performance with her 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Mascotte vd Withoeve, immediately bumped her to the top of the leaderboard for the second phase. With the course proving challenging for several of the top contenders, Salas was comfortably in the lead with her score of 87.00 at the end of the class. She sits in sixth place overall after the two phases.

Isabella Salas took the win in the gymnastics phase of the Marshall + Sterling Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal - East with Mascotte vd Withoeve.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

“I usually don't get nervous, but I instead try to think of the positives,” explained Salas. “It's a lot of pressure, obviously, but at the end of the day, I'm lucky to be here and show with all my friends and my trainers.”

Kara Horvath piloted her own Notorious SS for second place in the gymnastics phase, just half a point off of Salas with a score of 86.5, while Kathryn Padilla and Highland Farm, LLC’s Georgetown finished third-ahead of the final day with a score of 86.25.

The gymnastics phase scores have a 1.5 multiplier, and when added to the flat phase scores, riders are ranked overall. Natalie Wheeler of Wellington, FL, rode Quintago, owned by Sweet Oak Farm, to a gymnastics score of 86.5 and had a flat-phase score of 87.5 for an overall total of 215.90. She leads the standings going into the third jumping phase of the class.

Natalie Wheeler and Quintago took over the lead after the first two phases of the Marshall + Sterling Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal - East.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

Sabrina Miller of Dripping Springs, TX, stands second overall on a total score of 214.15 with Splender van de Achterhoek, owned by Knees 2 Nose LLC, while Kathryn Padilla of Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA, is third with 213.87.

The 2026 Capital Challenge Horse Show Equitation Showcase will resume on Friday, September 25, with highlights including champion presentations for the Section A equitation division 15,16, and 17-year-old age groups as well as the final phase of the Marshall + Sterling Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final - East.