Starting in 1982, the junior equitation divisions entered a new 3-final era. The creation of the Talent Search in 1982 immediately caught on with the equitation community. For the next decade, participation in equitation would continue to grow in popularity, ultimately leading to more expansion with the creation of the WIHS Equitation Classic in 1992, soon followed by the North American Equitation Championship in 1995.

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To determine the greats of this era, lists every single horse and rider who won a ribbon between 1982-1994 was recorded. Mathematical equations or simple calculations were used to determine the greats in each category. We established specific, common sense criteria, as noted with each list. Below are summary lists of great riders, horses and partnerships, based on our mathematical calculations.

In determining the best equitation riders we fine-tuned the calculations by awarding a sliding scale of points for the following: 1) champion placings, 2) reserve champion placings, 3) third and fourth placings and 4) ribbons fifth through tenth, and 5) total # of ribbons won. To appear on the list riders had to win a minimum of one final.

We also awarded bonus points to riders for any or all of the following on a sliding scale of importance as follows: 1) championships at both the Medal and Maclay; 2) champion or reserve at all three finals; 3) at least one champion and one reserve champion or better at any two finals; 3) a ribbon in all three; 4) a ribbon in both the Medal and Maclay; and 5) a USET Gold Medal. No rider won all three, so we did not include that criteria. We weighted the three finals equally in calculating results.

A few notes about our calculations: We did not include Washington results 1992-1994, since this would unfairly skew the results against riders from earlier years. Some riders continued competing after 1994, and for those years we included the three finals, but not the Washington or North American. Those riders who earned ribbons at the Medal and Maclay prior to 1982 did have those results included.

While we have researched extensively to locate class results, our results from this era are not complete. So the calculation is based on what we have; it’s probably quite accurate, since we do have the names of all winners, but there might be minor shuffling of the ranking if all we were able to complete our archive someday. If you can help us find additional results, please contact us.

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