Thermal, CA – March 8, 2025 – With a commanding performance from beginning to end, Violet Tatum took home the win in the R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship, sponsored by Butet, on Saturday, March 8, at the Desert International Horse Park.
The 16-year-old from Pacific Palisades, CA, was one of 34 entries to take on the esteemed class at Desert Circuit 9, presented by Marshall + Sterling, and from the moment she stepped under the archway and into the Grand Prix Arena, Tatum proved that she would be a tough one to beat.
Aboard Kruz, owned by Bridgeport Farms LLC, Tatum navigated the first-round, Skip Bailey-designed course with ease, taking over the top of the leaderboard with a score of 92. From there, it was on to round two and a jumper-style course, with the time allowed now also taken into consideration.
Throughout both rounds, it was up to the junior riders to determine their best courses of action, as the competitors were not allowed to communicate with their trainers at all during the class.
“It’s a little stressful that you’re by yourself, because, if you have a question, there’s nobody to ask!” said Tatum. “You can talk to juniors, but it’s different than your trainer. I kind of like it though. I feel like it is a really good learning moment.”
With the top 12 riders qualifying to come back for the second phase in reverse order of their standings, Tatum was the final rider to return.
“I was very happy after my first round,” said Tatum, who has contested the class before without the same level of success. “I just wanted to make round two, and it was definitely stressful coming in first. I had a lot of pressure. It was very nerve wracking, and honestly, I just wanted a solid round to make it to the test. Over the last jump, I was so relieved. I was like, ‘Okay, I think I got the test.’”
Tatum’s thought that she had qualified for the final round of additional testing proved to be correct. Despite any nerves, she managed to duplicate her first-round performance, again earning a score of 92 from judges Timmy Kees, Virginia Edwards, Kaitlin Campbell and Ali Ramsay.
From there, the judges asked the top four to come back to the ring for further testing, which incorporated challenging counter-cantered fences, a trot fence and the demonstration of a hand gallop.
Tatum nailed the test, making the end results seemingly obvious even more the official placings were announced.
With Tatum taking the win, second place went to Taryn McEntire on Crunck K; third place went to Grayson Pacelli on Koddac van het Indihof, and Ella Dalton finished in fourth aboard Quathageno.
“It feels really special,” said Tatum, who trains primarily with Archie Cox and John Bragg on the West Coast, in addition to recently beginning to train with North Run on the East Coast. “I’ve done [the class] twice, and it just hasn’t been as successful, so I’m just really happy this year to win it on the best horse, Kruz.”
In speaking of the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Tatum continued, “Kruz is so amazing. He’s the most special horse to ride, and he just actually started doing the eq in September…His second show at equitation was Maclay Finals, and he was 11th. So, he is so special. He’s owned by John Bragg, who has provided me with a lot of opportunities over the years. [John] said he had this really special horse, and I got to do him in a clinic. Then, he let me show him, and I was obsessed with him, so he let me keep showing him.”
Tatum is not the only one who thinks Kruz is special. The judges also awarded the gelding the Best Equitation Horse Award. Taking home the Best Turned Out Award was McEntire’s mount, Crunch K.
