Lexington, Ky.—Nov. 1

Paige Walkenbach’s suitcase is going to be jam packed leaving the National Horse Show this year. The 17-year-old from Paradise Valley, Arizona, had a banner week, leaving with a tricolor for each of the three hunters she brought to the final indoor of her season.

Though her partnership with Babylon is the shortest, the pair had a standout year, earning grand junior hunter championships at Pennsylvania National and Washington International (Maryland) and a reserve championship at Capital Challenge (Maryland). They continued their winning streak in Kentucky, taking the grand junior hunter and small junior hunter, 16-17, titles. In addition, Babylon won the Lucador Cup and was named grand hunter champion as the top horse out of all of the divisions set at 3’6″ or higher, encompassing the professional, amateur-owner and junior hunters.

“That’s pretty cool,” she said of the grand hunter title. “I’ve never gotten that title before, so it’s really special, especially out of all the professionals. It’s kind of crazy to be honest. Babylon is truly a special horse; I’m just honored to be part of his journey.”

Babylon, a 9-year-old Oldenburg (Crumbie—Die Cera), has a long record of winning big titles. He won grand championship honors at all of the fall indoor shows with owner Ariana Marnell before Walkenbach began leasing “Crumbles” at the end of last year, and she hopes to continue leasing him for her final junior year.

“Next year will be just like, really for fun, and just live in the moment; it’s my last junior year,” she said.

Walkenbach’s second championship came in the large junior hunters, 16-17, with San Pedro 15, over Isabelle Ehman and Story Hour. She’s had “Parker,” a 10-year-old Hanoverian (Stakkato—Cassandra) for two years. The pair also won championships at Pennsylvania National and Washington International and reserve at Capital Challenge.

“I spend a lot of time with him outside of the show ring as well, so it’s really special to see how much he’s improved and how much he’s grown and how much he’s come into himself,” she said.

She said the gelding has a sweet tooth for any kind of candy, but particularly Nerds Clusters.

“I give him lots of candy; he loves food,” she said. “Last week at Washington I gave him a cupcake that we won. He loved it; it was all over his face. He’s like my big dog honestly; he just follows me and chews on his chain; it’s really cute.”

Rounding out her tricolor collection was a reserve championship in the small juniors with Ever So Often, with whom she won the championship here last year.

“I really just wanted to make sure this was a fun one and not put too much pressure on myself, because I kind of have the whole season,” Walkenbach said. “So I just kind of took some deep breaths and went in and [Babylon and Ever So Often] both rocked it. They were jumping the best they have all year, and I’m really proud of my mare ‘Snooze,’ because she really stepped up and rose to the occasion.”

Walkenbach has been traveling between shows and school in Arizona throughout the indoor season, and she credited that with keeping her focused week after week.

“I think that really helps keep me in the zone almost,” she said, “because I’m always locked into either school or riding, so it really helps me focus, and I’ve just learned how to balance it so well.”

Hagerty Keeps It Consistent

Last year Brooke Hagerty’s National Horse Show debut had some strong moments, including a win in the first class on Casino Cash, but overall it lacked the consistency needed to bring home a tricolor. That meant being consistent was her primary objective this week.

“We won the opening class, so I just wanted to put in a good handy to come back in a good spot for [the second day], and I feel like we did just that, and he’s a pretty good mover, so it all just worked out great,” the 16-year-old said.

She won both classes the first day and was third in both classes today to take home the large junior hunter, 15 and under, championship with the 11-year-old Holsteiner (Casalito—Coco Cabana). JJ Torano and Laskano were reserve.

Hagerty got “Cash” three years ago from Marnell, and the pair grew from the children’s hunters to the juniors together.

“He’s definitely a quieter horse,” she said. “He’s pretty lazy, but I definitely would prefer a kick ride. When I tried him three falls ago, it was instantly a match. I watched him go with Ariana before that, so I just knew he was a great horse and could take me where I wanted to go, and he’s just perfect.”

Hagerty and her older sister Kate live in Terrebonne, Oregon, but train with Val Renihan, who is based in North Salem, New York, and Wellington, Florida. Brooke said it was a big commitment to keep their horses on the East Coast, but they’ve found a way to make it work. She’s been on the East Coast since September, but when she is home she keeps her fitness up by riding at friends’ barns or on her family’s ranch.

“It’s not too bad; you get used to it,” she said.

A Winning Debut

Until this year, JJ Torano had only attended the National as a spectator. He came one year to watch the grand prix and the ASPCA Maclay, but he’d never donned a pair of breeches himself to compete here. He made his debut a winning one, topping the small junior hunter, 15 and under, division with Disney. Eva Mackenzie was reserve with Iladin Du Rouet.

“It feels great; it’s such a prestigious show,” he said.

His mount Disney, a 7-year-old warmblood (Lyjanero—Wiloma III) owned by Isalou Inc., is on the greener side. He previously evented, competing up to training level with Sinead Maynard before Daryl Portela purchased him as a hunter. Torano’s father, Jimmy Torano, has been showing him in the 3’6″ greens while JJ piloted him in the juniors.

“This indoor season, we came knowing his abilities and how good he was, but we really didn’t know what to expect with his age and how green he was, so coming here the way he did, all three classes—unfortunately in the handy he had a light touch and it fell—but coming here and the way he performed was a pleasant surprise.”

Disney was originally bought as a sales horse, but when Portela was approached this summer with an offer, she wasn’t quite ready to sell him, so JJ was able to keep showing him. He’s not sure how long he’ll get to ride the gelding but is enjoying the time he has with Disney.

“He’s your typical hunter ride,” JJ said. “You have to give him a little bit of leg, a little space at the jumps, but he’s a really fun horse to canter. Overall I think he’s one of my favorite hunters that I have at the moment. He’s just a fun horse to ride.”

See full results here.

The Chronicle will be on site, bringing you gorgeous photos, interviews and more, so check back during the week. Make sure to follow along at www.coth.com and on Facebook and Instagram @Chronofhorse. For full analysis and coverage from the horse show be sure to check out the Nov. 18 issue of the magazine.