Mill Spring, NC – October 24, 2026 – The Adult Amateur Hunters took center stage Saturday evening at the 143rd National Horse Show as horse-and-rider combinations entered Tryon International’s indoor arena to compete for top honors in the highly anticipated $10,000 Adult Amateur Hunter Classic, presented by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Oare.
Rising to the top of the competitive field were Owen Gajoch and Bacchus, a seven-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Michelle Gajoch. The pair delivered an impressive opening round, earning a score of 85.50 to take the lead heading into the second round.
As the last combination to return over fences, Gajoch remained focused on enjoying the experience with his promising young mount. “I was cautiously optimistic, and I wanted to keep an open mind and enjoy it because we really don’t have any expectations for Bacchus yet because he is quite young,” Gajoch shared. “He is only seven, so this win is kind of just the cherry on top.
With the championship title within reach, Gajoch and Bacchus returned to the ring for another standout performance, once again impressing the judges with their precision and flowing pace. Their second-round score of 88.00 brought their two-round total to 173.50, securing the coveted championship title and a memorable victory at the 143rd National Horse Show.
The victory marked an exciting milestone for the relatively new partnership. Gajoch and his team acquired Bacchus at the conclusion of last season’s Winter Equestrian Festival and have spent the summer developing the young gelding’s experience and confidence in the show ring.
“We got Bacchus at the end of WEF last season, and we have been playing with him all summer,” Gajoch explained. “Chrissy Kerr, my trainer, has been showing him off and on along with me towards the end of the summer up in Michigan, and he is coming into his own slowly but surely.”
For Gajoch, the young gelding’s potential extends well beyond Saturday evening’s championship performance.
“He is going to be a really, really special horse,” Gajoch said. “He is a great horse, a great animal, and has a great attitude about him. He really wants to do the right thing.”
Although Gajoch is no stranger to the National Horse Show, this year’s event marked his return after a two-year absence. He praised the welcoming atmosphere at Tryon International and the opportunity to compete in its spacious indoor arena.
“The ring is great, and the environment is quite welcoming,” he shared. “It is really nice that the ring is so big because you can actually canter around the ring and ride a little bit more.”
As Gajoch celebrated his championship victory, he was quick to recognize the team behind his success.
“I want to thank Ken and Emily Smith, Chrissy Kerr, and my mom for helping make all of this happen,” he shared.
Rounding out the top three in the $10,000 Adult Amateur Hunter Classic were Blair Blamer and Bocelli, who earned reserve honors, followed by Willow Vince and SLS Casually Cool in third place.
Blair Balmer and her own Zangersheide gelding, Bocelli
Willow Vince and Summer Stone Farm’s warmblood gelding, SLS Casually Cool