Savannah Strebinger Wins IHSA/USHJA 3'3'' Hunter Seat Medal Final - West

Savannah Strebinger and Gladstone at the IHSA/USHJA 3'3'' Hunter Seat Medal Final - West at the Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

 
EDITED USHJA PRESS RELEASE

Gladys, Va.—Nov. 18, 2025—For Savannah Strebinger, the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships were a week of final chances. At 18-years-old, the event at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa was the last competition of her last season as a Junior rider. On the final day of the championships, Strebinger laid all her cards on the table to win the IHSA/USHJA 3'3'' Hunter Seat Medal Final - West riding her own Gladstone.

“I'm a little bit in shock, but I'm so, so happy. I don't think there is a better way to end my Junior years than with a win,” Strebinger said. 

The Finals featured two technical rounds, with only the top 19 riders from the original field of 39 advancing to Round Two. After the first round, Strebinger, of North Vancouver, British Columbia, sat seventh on a score of 80. She returned determined in Round Two, earning an 84 for a combined score of 164—good enough to move her into third and secure a callback for the final work-off.

Joining her in the work-off was Violet Rheingold, of Boulder, Colorado, aboard her own Cornetaro, who led on a score of 167.25; and Olivia Whiting, of Scotts Valley, California, riding her own Diamant De Cassini with a score of 165.

Savannah Strebinger and Gladstone at the IHSA/USHJA 3'3'' Hunter Seat Medal Final - West at the Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Strebinger’s bay gelding shone underneath the lights in the South Point Arena, as they floated through the courses, designed by Archer Bailey. A 14-year-old KWPN gelding, Gladstone is an experienced partner who has shone with Strebinger in the saddle for the last three years. Prior to their partnership, the bay gelding spent most of his time in the Show Jumping ring and was only introduced to the Equitation ring when Strebinger stepped into the irons. 

“He's just the best horse to be around,” she said. “He's so kind, and he just wants to please you all the time. He's not the easiest ride, but when you ride him correctly, he really just gives it his all, and he's such a nice horse to have in the barn. He gets treats before and after his rounds, which I think helps him perform better.”

This marks the end of Strebinger’s Junior career, riding under Lee Flick, a former IHSA rider at Virginia Intermont.  Strebinger is determined this won’t be the last she’ll see of the Equitation ring. As a matter of fact, she’s already been signed to the Fresno State Equestrian Team. 

“I'm hoping to still continue doing the equitation as an amateur, and hopefully next year I'll be back for WCE finals. I'm hoping to do Foundation Finals and all those fun amateur medals,” she added.

This year (2025) marked Strebinger’s second time competing in Las Vegas, Nevada. The unique venue and location contributed to her decision to choose the show as the endcap to her Junior career. 

“I just think it's so fun,” she said. “Staying above your horse and having your horse in the same building is such a special experience. And also, I was not able to go indoors or out east. So having my own little indoor experience was really, really fun as well. And I think Gladstone really, really liked it.”

The IHSA/USHJA 3’3” Hunter Seat Medal serves as a stepping stone for Equitation riders, providing an opportunity to qualify and compete in a National Equitation Final at fence heights of 3’3”. The Medal is open to Junior riders, who have not competed in any of the following National Equitation Finals with fences at 3’6” within the same competition year, including USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic, ASPCA Maclay Finals, USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals, USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals (East or West), WIHS Equitation Classic Finals, Jump Canada Medal Finals, or the North American Equitation Championship.

To learn more about the IHSA/USHJA 3'3" Hunter Seat Medal, visit ushja.org/HunterSeatMedal.