2026 Equestrian Awards Contest Winners

2026 Contest Winner - Lillian Ballantine

The University of Vermont Dressage Team was founded to give UVM students the opportunity to ride and compete affordably while learning the art of dressage. Based out of the UVM Horse Barn COOP, the team currently cares for four wonderful horses: Kimberlite, our resident diva, and Chance of Flurries, our gentle teddy bear. Featured on the catalog cover are V-Rod(left), our class clown who never fails to put a smile on everyone’s face, and Donnerlucke (right), who may be older than most of his human teammates but is always up for making new friends, especially the UVM cows and goats.

Our team is made up of riders from all backgrounds and levels of experience. Sophie (left) grew up in Connecticut working with rescued horses and recently joined Eileen (middle) on a ranch out west. Eileen, from Utah, brings unique experience training and working with mustangs. Hannah (right) is our current team president from Massachusetts and had never ridden dressage before joining the team. Together, under the guidance of our coach, Carolyn Tulumello, we share a passion for dressage and a deep love of horses.

As a team we compete in Region A/B of the Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA). Hodges Badge works with the IDA and each individual team to provide beautifully designed ribbons for each show. The photo showcases an IDA National Individual Champion, Regional First, and High point rider ribbons from our successful 24-25 season.

Winning this contest means the world for our team. The prize money will go directly into the care of our horses and lowering our dues to make riding more accessible at the collegiate level. We are so thankful for this amazing opportunity and the chance to be featured by Hodges Badge.

2026 Honorable Mention - Eliana Pope

My name is Eliana Pope, and I submitted this photo of my horse, Aquavit “Bing.” I’ve owned him for four years and have been riding for fifteen. Everyone once said he wasn’t worth the effort, but I refused to give up. Through patience and persistence, Bing and I have competed successfully in hunters, jumpers, and dressage. This photo was taken at a dressage show where my mom captured us simply doing what we love.

Winning this contest means the world it’s recognition of all the hard work Bing and I have put in and a reminder to other riders never to give up on their horses. A six-figure price tag doesn’t define talent or heart. I’ll be using the prize money to spoil Bing with treats and some new show gear!

2026 Honorable Mention - Isla Scatzel

Photographed is “Ramble on Rose” a 24-year-old Hanoverian mare. “Shasta”, who was 22 at the time the photo was taken, had a very successful career. “Shasta” was ridden by Isla Schatzel and owned by Jill Tewksbury. “Shasta” and Isla have always had a special bond. “Shasta” is now retired. Isla plans to use the prize money to spoil “Shasta”. The photo was taken by Isla’s mother, Noelle.

2026 Honorable Mention - Amy Boyett

Meet Lily Boyett and her Welsh pony Winter Rain. When Lily was just three years old, she caught the horse bug—and by four she’d taken her very first riding lesson. At seven, she competed in her first horse show and now she spends as much time as possible at the barn.

Winter Rain is the very first pony Lily fully leased. Together they’ve built an incredible partnership, winning Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons at many shows and collecting several year-end high point awards. But for Lily, it’s not just about the ribbons—it’s about days at the barn, spending time with her horses, having fun with her horse-girl besties, and enjoying every moment spent caring for Winter and her other horse, Alani.

Pictured at the Gold Coast Horse Show in Southern California, Lily and Winter Rain took home the Junior Equitation Champion, Child Hunter Champion, and multiple class & derby ribbons produced by the Hodges Badge Company.

Lily is excited about her prize-money win—she’s planning to invest it in more riding clothes and treats for Winter and Alani.

Trained by Janene Davis and Chris Land of Silent Partners. Photo proudly captured by Mom.

Instagram: lilium_equestrian

2026 Honorable Mention - Eleanor Wiles

I’ve been riding for 11 years and am lucky to have two amazing horses, Major and Georgia. Major, featured in this photo, came to us as a five-year-old off the track. At 14, I decided to take him on as my own project to train and bring along. Today, he has become an all-around horse who loves everything from English and western to trail riding and shows.

Being selected for this contest means so much to me. I’m incredibly proud of how far Major has come, from a racehorse turned pasture horse to the wonderful, versatile partner he is today. I plan to use the prize money to help fund future shows and give him more experience in the ring.

2026 Honorable Mention - Keli Harrelson

I have been riding and competing for 46 years. I have competed in local hunter shows, recognized dressage shows. I thoroughly enjoy showing my heart pony pictured in numerous POA shows. Local, Regionals, Congress and Futurities.

Pony pictured is Suddenly Gifted my 4-year-old stallion modeling his Regional High Point and overall, Stallion Halter ribbons. We also compete under saddle both Western and Hunter.

Of course, I will be buying “Waylon” something special with the winnings.

Thank you for even considering the photo of my special boy and to be chosen to be shown in your catalog is tremendous!!! Bringing attention to this special breed is a huge bonus.

2026 Honorable Mention - Alison Stocker

I’ve had Boston for seven years, starting out on him in long stirrup classes. He’s a wonderful horse who always takes care of me, yet he’s talented enough to win big derbies with his trainer. I’m thrilled you chose a picture of him!

2026 Honorable Mention - Michelle Stafford

The Story of Jade and Lueke: 2025 Wild Rose Youth Mustang Trainer Champions
The dream of competing in a Youth Mustang Challenge began for Jade, now 14, when she first became involved in gentling Mustangs in 2022. That dream became a reality in May 2025 when she was accepted into the prestigious Wild Rose Mustang Advocacy Group Youth Trainer Program.

The Challenge and Experience
On June 1, 2025, ten youth trainers received their untouched, wild yearlings, gathered from the Devils Garden HMA. Despite a two-week delay due to summer travel, Jade picked up her yearling, Lueke, with unwavering determination. In the brief, intensive ten-week training window leading up to the showcase, Jade and Lueke developed a remarkable partnership founded on mutual trust and commitment.

To maintain focus and accountability during the gentling period, the team utilized Virtual Equine Events (VEE) non-competitive Training & Progress Challenges. This structured approach proved invaluable, culminating in a win in the VEE Youth In Hand Trail Class, which served as essential preparation for the final showcase.

Meaning and Impact
Their success in the Wild Rose Youth Mustang Trainer Program led them to be crowned the Youth Mustang Trainer Champions. For Jade, winning the championship validates months of challenging, dedicated work, and their beautiful Hodges rosettes serve as a visible record of their success and deep bond.

2026 Honorable Mention - Michele Nunes

Photo is of Leslie Lange & her horse Radar from Ventura County California. Leslie has been riding since she was 7. Radar is an unregistered 12-year-old black gelding. No one knows what his breed is but after some DNA testing, he does have some Dutch Harness Horse in him. He is big and drafty! He likes to show off and has a fan club everywhere Leslie takes him. He thrives on attention. The ribbons won in the photo were from the California Dressage Society Regional Adult Amateur Competition; champion in Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire 1.

2026 Honorable Mention - Emily Sumner

I’m an instructor and owner at Contry Hill farm. Every year we run end of the year schooling shows at our farm. I enjoy seeing my students improve and grow every year. I love to capture pictures with their Hodges Badge ribbons and every year we design new ribbons to make our shows memorable and special to each rider.

This picture was a group team picture from 2025 Dressage4kids hosted at the New Jersey Horse Park. The riders worked very hard to prepare, and it was a fun team event.

We plan to use the money to help pay for our lesson horses feed and vet bills. Everything we do goes directly into our amazing school horses.