Testing Their Way to the Top: Babington and Castiel WB Win VHSA Medal Finals 

Lexington, KY – August 8, 2026 – Julia Babington and Castiel WB saved their best for Saturday night at the Festival of Champions’ Lexington National Horse Show, climbing from third place to win the VHSA Hunt Seat Medal Finals, sponsored by Marshall and Sterling Insurance. Babington entered the final test with an 84, while Kinsley Nolte held second with an 86 and Jessica Gulden sat third with an 85. With a composed and well-executed final test, Babington moved to the top of the leaderboard to claim the championship, with Nolte finishing second and Gulden third.

The 24 horse and rider combinations who entered the ring for the Hunt Seat Medal were faced with a course that included bending lines, a one stride, and two diagonal lines. The top four riders came back to the ring and were presented with a test that would require poise and precision to complete. Judges asked that the returning four riders hand gallop directly to a single oxer at the end of the ring, then make a tidy turn and canter over a single jump, then counter canter a single set on the rail, halt, drop their stirrups, next perform a turn on the haunches, then riders were asked to canter a line on the diagonal in five strides which riders had ridden in four strides in the previous round, and lastly sit trot to the gate.

Going into the test, Babington knew she had an opportunity to move up, but her focus was on putting in the best performance she could with Castiel WB, a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding known as “Casper” in the barn. “I felt good going into third. I was hoping to just move up a little bit,” Babington explained. 

One of the key moments of her test came after the second jump, when Babington chose to land the counter lead after fence two. “My horse is really balanced on the left lead, and so I knew he was going to land left after the second jump in the test,” she said. “It was definitely a challenge to hold it, but he was really balanced and really good, and he helped me out a lot.” The test also challenged the riders with a no-stirrups portion, which Babington acknowledged was one of the more difficult pieces of the final, “I think the no-stirrups portion was a little tricky, but I think it was a good test, especially for the final,” she said.

For Babington, the victory was particularly meaningful as she prepares for a new chapter. She will head to college this fall, making these final shows with Castiel WB especially important. “He’s a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding, and I’m going off to college at Baylor this fall, so we’re going to keep him through medal finals, and I’m just hoping to have a positive last few shows with him,” Babington said. 

That goal made Saturday night’s result all the more special The victory also brought Babington back to a horse show that holds special meaning for her, “I love coming to the Virginia Horse Center and getting to see all my Virginia friends after traveling and showing in different states,” Babington said. “It’s fun to all come together and get to do this together.”

Another highlight of Saturday’s competition was the $25,000 Grand Prix. It was Thaisa Erwin who put in impressive and exciting jumping efforts aboard three different mounts, taking home first, second, and third place. Erwin and Nadia had a quick and clean effort, taking home the blue ribbon with a jump off time of 37.060. Erwin rode to second place aboard Pandora VD Bisschop with a jump off time of 38.60. Erwin and Nirvana G rounded out the podium by being the fastest four faulters in the jump off with a time of 40.368 and one rail down.

The Festival of Champions’ Lexington National horse show concludes with Sunday’s action packed day, be sure to catch exciting classes such as the 2026 AYR Equitation Challenge and the $5,000 Jr/Am 1.30m-1.40.m stake.