Paige Buzby of Windfall Farm, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, delivered one of the standout performances of the 2026 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East, sweeping the 3’3″ Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division before earning the coveted Overall 3’3″ Grand Championship aboard her talented young partner, A La Minute Z.

Making her first appearance at the prestigious championship, Buzby rose to the top of the largest division, which drew 68 competitors across three classes. She and her own 2018 Zangersheide gelding earned victories in the handy round and the championship with an impressive overall score of 260.268, before capping the week as Overall 3’3″ Grand Champions.

It’s a family affair with Paige Buzby overall Junior Hunter Champions East 2026

A Championship Debut to Remember

For Buzby, the victory was almost difficult to put into words. “It’s pretty surreal to me right now,” she said. “It feels pretty great.”

Competing alongside many of the nation’s top junior hunters made the experience even more meaningful. “I get to see the people I look up to jump around and watch what I would love to do in the future,” she said. “It’s just really special.”

Building Confidence Together

While the championship marked a breakthrough for Buzby, it was equally significant for A La Minute Z, a promising young horse still gaining experience at the national level.

“He’s still very young, so being able to help him and guide him around there and give him confidence really means the world to me as a rider,” Buzby said.

Their partnership reflected the patience and consistency that often define successful hunter careers, with horse and rider growing together throughout the week.

Hard Work Rewarded

Winning the Overall 3’3″ Grand Championship represented far more than a single week of success. For Buzby, it was the culmination of years of dedication both at home and in the show ring.

“I’ve tried my hardest to work as hard as I possibly can at home and in the ring,” she said. “I’ve worked on always being humble about the times when I’m not successful. Being able to finally get to the point where I believe I’ve worked hard enough to get here is really special for me.”

Behind the championship performance was a partnership built long before the pair entered the Kentucky Horse Park. Buzby trains under the guidance of her mother, accomplished hunter/jumper professional Kim Buzby, owner of Windfall Farm in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. Following her victory, Paige credited her family and longtime support team for helping her reach one of the biggest milestones of her junior career.

She made a point to thank her mother and trainer Kim, her father, and her grandmother. Of her longtime groom, Jose, Paige added, “He’s been there for me since day one,” she said. “He has taught me so much—from how to wrap polos to day-to-day horse care. I’m just so grateful to have everyone in my life.”

Division Results

Taking reserve championship honors in the 3’3″ Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division was Penelope Sugg of Jonesboro, Arkansas, aboard Ustica, a 2011 Warmblood mare owned by Sweet Oak Farm, with a score of 254.028.

Third place went to Grier Van Rooyen of Fair Hill, New Jersey, riding Oswald van de Leeuwerk, owned by Calogera Borrello, on a score of 250.816.

The Hannah Serfass Memorial Award Trophy, presented to the highest-scoring horse-and-rider combination in the under saddle phase across all age and height divisions, was awarded to Zoe Reick and Suede.