2024 Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3 Equitation Champion: Rosemary Bilson

Sunday, October 27, 2024 | The Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3 Equitation Championship

Junior Equitation competitors closed out Week 1 at the 141st National Horse Show with The Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3 Equitation Championship.

Founded by Kristen Hamel and hosted at the National Horse Show since 2017, “The Hamel” was established to give riders an opportunity to gain experience in a medal finals before moving onto the ASPCA Maclay. When asked what she thought about the 2024 class, Hamel stated,

“Every year, I am so excited about the show. It’s always a surprise to me. We thought it would have some support, but never this kind of support, with one-hundred and eighty-four riders today. We just never thought it would surpass the Maclay in numbers. We thought it would be a great stepping stone, but just not like everybody has taken it. For a lot of people, this is as far as they go, and they are thrilled. Which is really fun.”

2024 Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3 Equitation Champion
Rosemary Bilson
Trained by Stephanie Haney
Riding Cherokee Show Horses, gelding, Que Color

2024 Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3 Equitation Reserve Champion
Natalie Gannett 

Trained by Kathryn Fletcher
Riding her own gelding, Flayders

2024 Hamel Foundation NHS 3’3 Equitation Third Place
Carys Murray
Trained by Ann Dotoli
Riding her own gelding, Axe SPBZ

Rosemary Bilson – Champion

Today’s anticipation within the top ten finalists:

“This is my first time having a ribbon at a National final like this, first time indoors. So, just being in the top ten was unbelievable. I was just hoping to have a good solid round today, and I was just, I am speechless. When they said my name, it just did not seem real at all.”

On the importance and appreciation of competing in the Hamel:

“Having the Hamel 3’3 final was just exactly what I needed. I did qualify for the Maclay as I did do some 3’6 this year, but this is my first consistent year doing the equation 3’3 or the 3’6. My trainer and I talked about it, and the Hamel was the decision. I think I went out there, and it was a tricky course. I felt like having it at 3’3 and having it with this horse at 3’3; there was no better way that could have prepared me for the Maclay Finals. There’s nothing like riding one of these courses, Bobby Murphy courses, and being able to do that at 3’3 and then be ready for my last junior year at 3’6. I am really excited.”

Natalie Gannett – Reserve Champion

On today’s riding plan:

“It was a loose goal of mine and my team to make the top 24, to be able to go into the flat and show off our flatwork. It was really awesome, and then to be able to come back to the second round and just continue working on what we started in the first round which was following the track and following the plan. It was really awesome to have that experience and to be here and to work on my showmanship in the ring. It’s such a high and intense competition.”

About her horse:

“My horse’s name is Flayders. We call him Flay in the barn. I have had him for close to two years now. He’s probably the most special horse I have had the chance to work with. Our partnership is something I am so grateful for and that I am so proud of. In May of 2023, he had a severe colic and had colic surgery. It took pretty much until Florida this year to really get back into it. So, to see him rebound and to be able to be his partner and compete with him at a place like this it just means the world to me. To have him with me so many horses who have colic don’t get to, so it’s really special to me, and I am so grateful to do it with him.”

Carys Murray – Third Place

On today’s ride:

“I started the day by just wanting to have a nice solid round and leave the final being very happy with it. To make the top 24 was kind of a shock and was really nice to be able to go flat and then go into the ring the second round and give it all I really had and just ride how I know how to ride. It was just really, really, rewarding to be in any of the ribbons, especially third.”

On the importance and appreciation of competing in the Hamel:

“It really means a lot because this is my first year doing the 3’3 NHS Final, and I think going into next year, when I start doing more 3’6, I’ve done a couple of 3’6 classes, it definitely feels like a stepping stone, and it feels like I can really step into the Maclay with confidence. It was a great 3’3 final before any 3’6 finals.”

See the full results HERE.

View the daily candids HERE.

The 141st National Horse Show | Lexington, Kentucky | October 23rd – November 3rd, 2024 | Official Livestream | Results / Orders