Addison Keyworth Leads the Way in the EMO Insurance Agency/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final - East

​The first day of competition at the Capital Challenge Horse Show also featured the flat and gymnastics phases of the fifth-annual EMO Insurance Agency/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final - East. Following the first two phases, Addison Keyworth of Whitefield, Maine, leads the 153-rider field. 

Addison Keyworth and Liam. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

Keyworth and her own Liam topped the flat phase with a high score of 91 and then earned a score of 88 to finish third in the gymnastics phase. With all gymnastics phase scores multiplied by a coefficient of 1.5 before being added to each riders’ flat phase score, Keyworth currently sits at the top of the class with an overall score of 223.
 
“It feels like a lot of hard work paid off,” explained Keyworth. “I’ve had Liam for four years. He’s my absolute best friend and it feels so nice to have done this with him. He’s really my everything; he is such an amazing horse.”
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Paige Walkenbach, of Paradise Valley, Arizona, piloted Theresa Boucher’s Quadro D’Ag to a score of 90 and the blue ribbon in the gymnastics phase.

Mary Babick, Paige Walkenbach, and Steve Rector. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

​“My horse and I have worked really hard this year so it feels great,” said Walkenbach, who trains with Elvenstar Farm. “I got him in March this year, so I haven’t had him very long. I live in Arizona and he lives in California, so we have been getting to know each other at the shows. He is such a good boy.”
 
Walkenbach gives a nod to her trainers for helping her prepare before she steps in the ring with Quadro D’Ag. “I like to make sure that I have a good mindset before I go in the ring, so I talk with my trainers a lot throughout the course walk,” continued Walkenbach. “My trainer Jim [Hagman] always tells me to have patience during the course walk so I can have more time to look over the track.”
 
The Capital Challenge Horse Show continues on Saturday with the age group equitation divisions starting at 7 a.m. followed by the final phase and culmination of the EMO Insurance Agency/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final - East.