Jami Balint was jumping for joy after winning a championship in the Early Summer Classic Hunter/Jumper horse show June 17-21 in Wilsonville, Ore.

The 27-year-old Black Diamond resident and Enumclaw High graduate won the championship in long stirrup hunter and reserve champion in long stirrup equitation.

Balint rode her 12-year-old mare Moment In Time by Special Event owned by Brass Ring Farm in Buckley. Brass Ring Farm is a private boarding and training facility that specializes in hunters, jumpers and equitation.

Balint said she received the mare as a wedding gift from her trainer Nancy Free, who trains at Brass Ring.

The mare was not expected to be able to compete at the hunter/jumper shows because of surgery on her leg, but Balint cared for the horse and proved everyone wrong.

“I’ve been to three horse shows with her and I’ve been a champion at all of them,” Balint said.

Balint began working and showing horses in 4-H when she was 8 years old. She began jumping at age 14.

She took a break from the equestrian world while she attended law school at Seattle University. She is currently working as the legal counsel for Yarrow Bay Group.

Once the rigors of law school were over, she climbed back into the saddle and started winning championships again.

“It’s really great,” Balint said. “And it is great to come to our barn with everyone.”

Balint has been working with Free at Brass Ring Farm for the past 15 years.

Balint is the point leader in the state in the long stirrup hunters and long stirrup equitation division.

Other Early Summer Classic Hunter/Jumper champion riders from the area include:

• Paige Goodman, Enumclaw, champion pre-children hunter, first Hillcrest starter medal;

• Something to Talk About, owned by Goodman, reserve champion training hunters;

• Georgia Dillon, Buckley, champion junior 16 to 17 year olds, champion 1.30-meter jumpers, third mini prix;

• Hannah Morris, Enumclaw, third Hillcrest starter medal. Morris is leading the state in pre-children’s hunters division.

At the Early Summer Classic Hunter/Jumper show, Brass Ring Farm collected 10 championships and five reserve champions.

Brass Ring Farm was constructed in 1991 on the 20-acre family-owned horse farm which also includes Circle S Breeding Farm and Three Winds Farm, both have been in operation since the 1970s. Brass Ring Farm features a 13-stall barn with an attached indoor arena, heated tack and viewing areas, indoor wash stall and storage area. Horses also enjoy the benefits of several turnout paddocks with loafing sheds and a Eurocizer.

Reach Dennis Box at dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com or 425-432-1209, ext. 5050. To comment on this story go to www.courierherald.com or www.blscourierherald.com.