Geitner and Walk The Tides Top Competitive Field in $75,000 East Coast WCHR Hunter Spectacular
Consistency across both rounds proves decisive as elite hunter combinations battle it out at WEF
February 1, 2026 at 9:53 PMBy b.wehner
The $75,000 East Coast WCHR Hunter Spectacular brought together 34 of the nation’s top hunter combinations for an open-format championship contested at heights of 3’6”, 3’9”, and 4’.
Classic Round Sets the Stage
Mark Geitner and Walk The Tides, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding, delivered a polished opening trip, earning scores of 86.5 and 92 from the two judging panels for an 89.25 average. Their performance placed them second heading into the handy round, firmly positioning the pair as serious contenders.
Consistency Seals the Win
Returning for the handy, Geitner and Walk The Tides maintained their momentum with another confident effort, earning an average score of 89. Their consistency across both rounds secured the championship title with a final two-round average of 89.125.
Strong Performances Round Out the Podium
Amanda Steege claimed second place aboard Cheryl Olsten’s 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Lafitte De Muze. The pair posted a first-round average of 85.5 before delivering one of the highest-scoring handy rounds of the class with a 92.5, finishing on an overall average of 89.
David Wilbur completed the podium in third place riding Marita Zuraitis’ 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding Four Aces. Wilbur opened with a strong first-round average of 89.875 and followed with a handy score of 87 to finish on an overall average of 88.438.
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.
Related Articles
Tyler and Affirm Rise to the Top in $15,000 USHJA National Jr/Am Derby
Anna Tyler piloted Mia Thomasson’s Affirm (For Pleasure x Chicella) to victory in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby with two polished performances.Solid Opening Round Sets the StageTyler and the talented gelding delivered a composed first-round effort, earning a score of 90 to sit third heading into the handy round.
Hunter5 hours agoVideo Available
Kate Conover and Small Love Claim the Blue Ribbon
Kate Conover guided Iwasaki and Reilly’s Small Love (Chacco Blue x Wisilvia) back to the top of the leaderboard with a confident two-round performance that held up under pressure.
Hunter5 hours agoVideo Available
Hannah Hutter and Galway Rise to the Top
A field of 23 ponies took to the Grass Field at Desert International Horse Park, but it was Hannah Hutter who emerged on top aboard Galway with a composed and consistent performance in the one-round, two-phase class.Consistency Across Both PhasesHutter and Galway impressed the judging panel in both portions of the track, delivering polished trips that showcased quality and precision.
HunterJanuary 24, 2026Video Available
Latest News
Tyler and Affirm Rise to the Top in $15,000 USHJA National Jr/Am Derby
Anna Tyler piloted Mia Thomasson’s Affirm (For Pleasure x Chicella) to victory in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby with two polished performances.Solid Opening Round Sets the StageTyler and the talented gelding delivered a composed first-round effort, earning a score of 90 to sit third heading into the handy round.
Hunter5 hours agoKate Conover and Small Love Claim the Blue Ribbon
Kate Conover guided Iwasaki and Reilly’s Small Love (Chacco Blue x Wisilvia) back to the top of the leaderboard with a confident two-round performance that held up under pressure.
Hunter5 hours agoBen Maher Wins with Ginger-Blue, A Second Time, at WEF
Great Britain's Ben Maher was back on Derby Field and earned his second blue ribbon within three days aboard Ginger-Blue, a 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare, to close out week four of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, in the CSI4*$62,500 Hermès Classic. The world no. 4's other win with Ginger-Blue was in the CSI4* $32,000 Defiant Whisky Speed class on Friday.
Jumping6 hours ago