Big Wins & New Beginnings at the 2026 APHA Eastern National Championship

By Jessica Hein, PHJ News:

New exhibitors like Katelynn Lyden and Dawn Lelakowski were among the 1,000+ entries that helped make the 2026 APHA Eastern National Championship Show a resounding success. The August 20–23, 2026 event took place at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio. It brought prestigious competition to the Northeast, generating 1,024 APHA entries—a 100 entry increase over 2025—along with 424 jackpot, International Ranch Horse Association, and National Snaffle Bit Association event entries.

“The 2026 Eastern National Championship was a great week in Wilmington,” APHA Director of Incentive Programs Matt Arias said. “The support from our exhibitors and sponsors is what continues to make this show so special.”

Competition heated up inside the arena, but fun events like a tie-dye t-shirt station and the inaugural Team Challenge kept the atmosphere lighthearted. The Team Challenge featured 10 randomly selected teams each composed of an Amateur, Youth and Open exhibitor—their individual placings counted toward team composites and overall prizes. The experience helped cross typical barn boundaries, encouraging exhibitors to cheer for one another in pursuit of a common goal. The winning team received PH Barn Door gift cards and a Perri’s Leather picture frame; reserve champions received a PH Barn Door gift card and Perri’s custom lasered spur straps.

• Team Challenge Champions: Jamie Ross, Lucy Berghorst & Austin Rush
• Team Challenge Reserve Champions: Rebecca Folk, Aliyah Attar & Julie Tenhouse

Special thanks to MARS Equestrian for sponsoring two Novice Youth and Youth Walk-Trot entries for exhibitors, along with free lead line entries; and Boehringer Ingelheim for sponsoring exhibitor appreciation coffee and donuts.

2026 Eastern National Championships All-Around Champions & Reserve Champions

Open Ranch

Champion: Peppy Star Nite, a 2018 chestnut overo mare by Gunners Special Nite x Heidas Safari (QH), owned by Adina Walker-Price, Chestertown, Maryland

Reserve Champion: Levi Is Not Done Yet, a 2022 buckskin solid gelding by Gunnin For Chicks x Trashy Chic Dreams (QH), owned by Miles Adcox, Burns, Tennessee

Youth Ranch

Champion: Jenna Edmonds, Monroeville, New Jersey, & Sonnys Music Man, a 2005 sorrel tobiano gelding by Royal Deluxe Too (QH) x Pure Country Music

Reserve Champion: Addison Brossenne, Williamsburg, Ohio, & Splash Of Chip, a 2015 sorrel solid gelding by Bet Your Chip x Charismatic Splash

Amateur Ranch

Champion: Karen Johnson, Burns, Tennessee, & LC Glo In The Dark, a 2021 sorrel overo mare by LC Trinity Glo (QH) x LC Trinity Angel (QH)

Reserve Champion: Rebecca Folk, Harleysville, Pennsylvania, & HF Mobschasnthischik, a 2017 sorrel solid mare by HF Mobster x DRF Smart Chick (QH)

Novice Amateur Ranch

Champion: Rebecca Folk, Harleysville, Pennsylvania, & HF Mobschasnthischik, a 2017 sorrel solid mare by HF Mobster x DRF Smart Chick (QH)

Reserve Champion: Adina Walker-Price, Chestertown, Maryland, & Peppy Star Nite, a 2018 chestnut overo mare by Gunners Special Nite x Heidas Safari (QH)

Open Show Horse

Champion: Oh Whata Ride, a 2017 bay tobiano mare by Whata Vested Asset x Thebestsudden Asset (QH), leased by Montana Comai, Zeeland, Michigan

Reserve Champion: One Good Cowboy, a 2014 sorrel overo gelding by CR Good Machine x Onesensationalcowgirl, owned by Darcie Winiewicz, Geismar, Louisiana

English Performance Horse

Champion: When Shes Got It All, a 2022 sorrel overo mare by When In Chrome (QH) x All Day Every Day, owned by Linda Coyle, Atkinson, New Hampshire

Novice Amateur

Champion: Jamie Smithenry, Willow Hill, Illinois, & No Doubt Ima Ten, a 2018 bay overo gelding by No Doubt Im Lazy (QH) x Hide Your Assets

Reserve Champion: Margaux Defibaugh, Pickney, Michigan, & Rock Solid Machinery, a 2023 red roan overo gelding by The Lopin Machine (QH) x KM Rock Solid (QH)

Amateur

Champion: Maggie Book, Tomball, Texas, & Yeehaw Cowboy, a 2013 sorrel overo gelding by No Doubt Im Lazy (QH) x Huntin A Cowboy (QH)

Reserve Champion: Chayna Denicolo, Sycamore, Illinois, & Toogoodfortheblues, a 2016 bay overo gelding by Blue Skies Only x Only Shes Invited (QH)

Masters Amateur

Champion: Jennifer Ross, Grayslake, Illinois, & Daddysleepstoomuch, a 2017 sorrel overo gelding by The Sugar Daddy x Not Enuff Sleep (QH)

Reserve Champion: Jamie Ross, Grayslake, Illinois, & Call Me A Cowboy, a 2014 brown tobiano gelding by The Original Cowboy x Call Me Sister

Amateur English

Champion: Maggie Book, Tomball, Texas, & Yeehaw Cowboy, a 2013 sorrel overo gelding by No Doubt Im Lazy (QH) x Huntin A Cowboy (QH)

Reserve Champion: Chayna Denicolo, Sycamore, Illinois, & Toogoodfortheblues, a 2016 bay overo gelding by Blue Skies Only x Only Shes Invited (QH)

Amateur Walk-Trot

Champion: Christina Thode, Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, & CR Good Chocolate, a 2017 sorrel overo gelding by CR Good Machine x Chocolate Sophie (QH)

Reserve Champion: Samantha Lewis, a Palatine, Illinois, & Doctor Pepper Time, a 2022 black overo mare by All Time Fancy x VR Timeless Gem

Masters Amateur Walk-Trot

Champion: Patty Douglas, a Bement, Illinois, & Onefinalappointment, a 2021 sorrel solid gelding by By Appointment Only x Zippedinexcellence

Reserve Champion: Amber Burkhardt-Sidebottom, Manchester, Michigan, & Shez Formally Invited, a 2017 sorrel tobiano mare by Special Invitation x A Formal INvitation

Youth 13 & Under

Champion: Aliyah Attar, Pepperell, Massachusetts, & Invitation To Ride, a 2009 sorrel overo gelding by Special Invitation x Bourbon St Fancy

Reserve Champion: Addison Minahan, Waynesville, North Carolina, & Late Nite Loper, a 2018 bay overo mare by Lopin Lazy x Sensational Sienna

Youth 14–18

Champion: Karly Eager, Kent City, Michigan, & Best Of The Gentlemen, a 2019 sorrel tobiano gelding by Gentlemen Send Roses x A Classy Hotrod (QH)

Reserve Champion: Lucy Berghorst, Zeeland, Michigan, & Imsumkindacertain, a 2019 brown overo gelding by Certainly A Vision x Very Vegas (QH)

Youth English

Champion: Harper Madole, Port Orange, Florida, & PF Special Invitation, a 2018 sorrel overo mare by The Sugar Daddy x Good Bars Invitation
Reserve Champion: Lucy Berghorst, Zeeland, Michigan, & Imsumkindacertain, a 2019 brown overo gelding by Certainly A Vision x Very Vegas (QH)

Novice Youth

Champion: Alexandra Winiewicz, Geismar, Louisiana, & One Good Cowboy, a 2014 sorrel overo gelding by CR Good Machine x Onesensationalcowgirl

Reserve Champion: Adalyn Gilbert, Jackson, Michigan, & Rockin The Loper, a 2017 bay solid mare by Lopin Lazy x Acegal

Youth Walk-Trot 5–10

Champion: Harper Madole, Port Orange, Florida, & PF Special Invitation, a 2018 sorrel overo mare by The Sugar Daddy x Good Bars Invitation

Reserve Champion: Chloe Daniel, Littleton, North Carolina, & Tunel Vision, a 2016 sorrel solid gelding by Certainly A Vision x Only With Honor (QH)

Youth Walk-Trot 11–18

Champion: Amelia Frook, Bath, Michigan, & On A Blazing Holiday, a 2021 sorrel overo gelding by A Sudden Holiday x RL A Sudden Rose (QH)

Reserve Champion: Gabriella Kulavic, Belvidere, Illinois, & Out On Good Behavior, a 2014 bay overo gelding by Living Large x Swift All The Time

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Scoresheets: https://files.apha.com/s/o/nWvPREgj8qZ3kjAp

 

Complete results:  https://files.apha.com/s/i/2026.ENC.Results.pdf

 

2026 Eastern National Championships All-Around Champions & Reserve Champions:

https://files.apha.com/s/i/HaNYj6qZ8olTYZT0

 

Team Challenge results: https://files.apha.com/s/i/2026_APHA_ENC_Team_Challenge