Natalie Wheeler Displays Nerves of Steel to Win Marshall + Sterling/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final - East
The final day of the Marshall + Sterling Insurance/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final - East took place in The Show Place Arena on Friday, September 25, 2026. As the featured event of the third day at the 2026 Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS) Equitation Showcase, presented by BIGEQ.com, in Upper Marlboro, MD, the class highlighted young equitation riders from across the country.
Despite the additional pressure from a prestigious championship event and returning last to go of 168 entries, Natalie Wheeler of Wellington, FL, kept her cool and led the victory gallop as both the winner of phase 3 and the overall winner.
Natalie Wheeler and Quintago jumped in great form to win the Marshall + Sterling Insurance/USHJA 3'3" Jumping Seat Medal Finals - East.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
“My mindset was just to have fun today because I knew if I over-thought it, that's when things could start getting messy,” explained Wheeler. “My plan was just not to be quick for the time, but to have nice turns, keep it sharp, and not let my horse’s stride get too strung out.”
Meghan Rawlins and Ken Krome put together one final track for the combinations to contest as they returned in reverse order of merit from the previous two days of competition in the flat and gymnastics phases. Under the eyes of judges Tammy Provost and Tony Sgarlata, riders navigated the track, which featured several combinations, rollbacks, bending lines, and angled obstacles, which added to the challenge. Judged in a show jumping format, riders had 84 seconds to complete the course
As the final entry on course, Wheeler guided Sweet Oak Farm’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Quintago, over the track to an impressive score of 91. This was only Wheeler’s second competition with Quintago, a horse on loan from her friend Lucy Sweetnam. The score was added to her previous score of 182 points following the first two phases for an overall total of 397.9 and a nearly ten-point lead.
Natalie Wheeler and Quintago in their winning presentation with USHJA President Britt McCormick, trainers Ali Sweetnam and Ken Smith, Chrissie Kear and Hugh Turner of Ashland Farms, Sue Bopp of Marshall + Sterling Insurance, groom Tomas Mateo, and Jennifer Hinman of H&H Horse and Home.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
“He's so brave, and he listens to anything you tell him to do; he's the best,” said Wheeler of her new mount. “We were always a little bit unsure about who I was going to be riding in this class, and we decided to use the horse I had been planning to compete in this class for the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) Medal Final tomorrow instead. I’m so grateful to Lucy for letting me borrow him.”
The cheering section was loud as Wheeler led off the victory gallop, and included her trainers Ali Sweetnam and Ken and Emily Smith.
“All of my best friends pretty much are here with me tonight, and it's so nice to have that support at an event like this,” added Wheeler.
Natalie Wheeler leads the way in the victory gallop.
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
Kathryn Padilla claimed the runner-up position with an overall score of 388.87 points with Highland Farm, LLC’s Georgetown, while Olivia Johnson and Chessland Equestrian, LLC’s Claus van de Helle rounded out the top three with a total of 387.97 points.
Competition at the 2026 Capital Challenge Horse Show Equitation Showcase resumes Saturday, September 26, and features 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.
Watch Natalie Wheeler and her ride review winning the final