United States Eventing Association

Leesburg, Va.—Oct. 10— Consistency across all three phases proved to be the winning formula for the Dutch Warmblood gelding Orpheus, who rose from third place after dressage to claim the 2026 USEA/USEF 7-Year-Old Developing Horse Eventing National Championship at Morven Park International on Saturday. Owned by Cellar Farm Corp and ridden by Amber Birtcil, the 7-year-old finished on a score of 41.0 penalties to secure the CCI3*YH-S title.

Orpheus began the competition with a dressage score of 30.2 penalties, placing him third after Friday's opening phase. A double-clear show jumping round on Saturday morning moved him into second place heading into cross-country, where he added no jumping penalties and just 10.8 time penalties to secure the championship victory.

For Birtcil, who has been developing Orpheus since he was a young horse, the win was a particularly rewarding milestone in a journey that has seen the horse transform considerably over the past several years.

"He has just been amazing. He really started to come into his own as a 6-year-old, and now this year as a 7-year-old, I would say he's a completely different horse than he was," Birtcil said. "He's just really learned the sport and today he was so rideable. That's been the big thing with him is he's incredibly bold. He's super game. He has the biggest heart in the entire world, and it's just been working on rideability. And I feel like all the pieces really came together for him this weekend. I'm so incredibly proud of him."

Birtcil first acquired Orpheus in Holland before bringing him to the United States at the beginning of his 4-year-old year. While he competed as both a 4- and 5-year-old, including placing 5th in the USEA Young Event Horse West Coast Championships in 2023, Birtcil said his large, gangly frame and continued development initially left her uncertain whether he would remain in her program long-term.

As he matured, however, his natural boldness and willingness to tackle the challenges of eventing became increasingly apparent. His 6-year-old season marked a turning point, and Saturday's championship victory provided another indication of just how far he has progressed.

The result was especially meaningful for Birtcil, whose program emphasizes bringing young horses along from the earliest stages of their careers and allowing them the time they need to develop.

"This is very much, I feel like, a big thumbs up to all my training, to all the hard work and just really pouring my heart into my horses, and they do the same for me," she shared. "I just feel like they have really showed up all week, and I'm just so incredibly proud of them. His biggest attribute is he has the world's biggest heart, and it just makes me so happy that he gets this reward."

With the championship now behind him, Orpheus may have one more outing on his calendar before enjoying a well-deserved break. Birtcil hopes to contest the CCI3*-L at Galway Downs if he travels home well, after which he will spend a month relaxing in the field with his best friend, Oxford.

As for what the future holds beyond that, Birtcil is content to continue assessing his progress as he matures, recognizing that there is still plenty of time for the talented young horse to develop.

"I mean, the crazy thing is, he's only seven," Birtcil reflected. "When they're able to produce this kind of result at this age, I think is just phenomenal."

Behind the new champion, Arden Janeway, ridden by Sharon White, finished in second place on a score of 44.1 penalties. The defending 6-year-old Developing Horse Champion from 2025 entered Saturday's competition in second place after dressage on 30.1 penalties before moving into the lead with a double-clear show jumping round. "Jane" added no jumping penalties and 14.0 time penalties on cross-country to secure the reserve championship honors.

The result was particularly impressive considering that Morven Park marked Jane's very first competition at the Intermediate/three-star level. Bred by White and Anita Antenucci, White has been a part of the mare's life through every stage and has carefully developed her throughout her career. Today's performance was a rewarding indication that she was ready for this next step.

"I am so thrilled with how she performed for her very first time at the level. All three phases, her first time having to half-pass in the dressage arena, and her first time seeing the size on the cross-country. I mean, obviously you can school, but it's not the same as competition. So I'm just beyond thrilled with her. She fought for it and when they answer the questions like that, it's really exciting and satisfying when you've produced them."

The reserve championship was also particularly meaningful for White and her longtime supporter Anita Antenucci, who co-owns Jane with White and is a sponsor of the championship division. White credited their partnership and Antenucci's dedication to supporting the development of young horses as an important part of the weekend's success.

"She works hard and she loves horses," White said of Antenucci. "I love doing it with her, and I'm just really, really thrilled with this."

The Dutch Warmblood mare HSH Olive (Dallas VDL x Ficalien DN), owned by Olive Equestrian, Sherrie Martin, and rider Caroline Pamukcu, made one of the biggest climbs of the championship, moving from eighth place after dressage to finish third overall. The pair added 4.4 penalties in show jumping before completing cross-country without jumping penalties and with 14.0 time penalties, securing a podium finish in the 7-year-old championship.

The 6-year-old CCI2*YH-S championship will conclude on Sunday, Oct. 11, with cross-country, where Birtcil's Prince of Oolde currently holds the lead on his dressage score of 24.0 penalties.

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