WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA, November 17, 2022 (updated: November 21, 2022) — We are delighted to announce the winners and results of the 2022 Versatile Horse and Rider Competition! Sponsored by Nutrena, the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition took place in the US Equestrian Arena in the coliseum at the Eastern States Exposition on Friday, November 11. Twenty-four horse and riders tackled a challenging obstacle course, which included a rollback, serpentine, jumps, a feed-sack drag, and a bridge, as well as a roping obstacle and a long-lining obstacle. Every obstacle was especially designed to test communication between horse and rider as well as each competitor’s horsemanship skills and athletic prowess. The judge for the event was Scott Purdum of Advantage Horsemanship, and the emcee was the always-entertaining Steve Lantvit of Steve Lantvit Horsemanship.

With no further ado, we proudly present to you the winners: Franny Galvin-Hynes and her 6-year old Fjord-Quarter Horse cross mare, Super Nova! Franny and Super Nova took home $2,500 in cash and a champion rosette.

Pictured, L to R: Scott Purdum, Steve Lantvit, Coagi Long, Super Nova, and Franny Galvin-Hynes.

Franny Galvin-Hynes has been riding since she could walk, training horses since she was twelve, and has won multiple championships in Ontario Extreme Cowboy and at Kentucky’s Retired Racehorse Project in competitive trail, show jumper, and ranch work. She’s competed successfully in several TIP Mustang Challenges, loves to ride in local hunter/jumper shows and Western games, enjoys trail riding with friends, and this summer, started learning team penning and ranch roping.

Super Nova is a 6-year-old Fjord-Quarter Horse who came to Franny as a somewhat scruffy yearling – but Franny saw her potential and they’ve been a dynamic duo ever since. Last summer, they hit the Ontario Extreme Cowboy circuit for their first full season and finished the year as Maturity Champions. This summer, they decided to give Ranch Roping a try and found it’s a very good fit – they have wins in the open class and teamed up to win a Cowboy Relay Challenge Buckle!

Franny first made the trip from Canada to Equine Affaire over five years ago and knew immediately she had to compete in the Versatile Horse and Rider competition one day. She made that dream come true earlier this year in Ohio, placing 6th overall with her beloved Super Nova, and came back this fall to move their names up the leaderboard — all the way to 1st place!

Congratulations, Franny & Super Nova, and to all our amazing competitors. Final scores for the top ten finishers are below, plus the rest of the scores were added as of 11/21/2022:

1. Franny Galvin-Hynes & Super Nova, 66.5
2. Danelle Osinchuk & Slip Me a Dual Pep, 63.5
3. Karli Knapp & Meadowbrook’s Sir Prize, 59.5
4. Jackie Rappel & Beckett’s Hickory Doc, 58
5. Anya Emmons & High Stylin’ Bobcat, 57.5
6. Melanie Davidson & Willow, 52
7. Amanda Malone & Ironwood Turbo, 49
8. Carolyn Weeks & Mr. Spoc, 47.5
9. April Baronas & I Can’t Even, 46
10. Franny Galvin-Hynes & Aspen’s Wild Grove, 35.5
11. Danielle Gauvin & Put a Little Pep In Your Step, 32.5
12. Logan DeCourcey & Cletus, 32
13. Megan Harmon & Doc Highbrow Dually, DNP
14. Kendra Gorham & Drummers Tango, DNP
15. Olivia Giuffrida & Tiny, DNP
16. Nichole Grunet & Passing In Style, DNP
17. Rob West & Moonshine Lady, DNP
18. Lisa Doyle & Daggers L.S.F., DNP
19. Kayla O’Leary & Wildfire, DNP
20. Brittany Mayer & Copperhead Koad, DNP
21. Jessica Knapp & River of Dreams, DNP
22. Susan Johnson & NR Bada Bling, DNP
23. Jessica Hogan & Cannoli Bandit, DNP
24. Jordan White & Two Socks, DNP