Jake Evans & Clever Are Brilliant in the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby 

03 JAN 26 Ocala, FL

A rider in formal equestrian attire guides a black horse over a wooden jump during an outdoor horse jumping competition.

Ocala, FL – The first Hunter Derby Friday of the 2026 Winter Spectacular Show Series took over Hunter 1 on a picturesque, sunny Florida day. Nearly 70 hunters stepped into the ring to contest World Equestrian Center – Ocala’s (WEC) trio of featured derbies: the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, and the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby. Meghan Rawlins designed flowing, winding tracks that allowed competitors to showcase their horses’ brilliance and rideability throughout the day.

A rider in equestrian attire sits on a black horse with a winner's ribbon, set against a vibrant sunset sky.
Jake Evans & Clever. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby closed out the afternoon against a fitting golden backdrop at WEC. Ultimately, Jake Evans earned his first WEC 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby victory aboard Isltime LLC’s Clever (Casall x Orchidee XIII).

The derby marked a rare appearance for Clever, but Evans decided to take his shot. “Gerry Camera [owner of Clever] does this horse in the 3’6” AO’s. I never get to ride him except for a prep class here and there. Yesterday, I told Gerry that we should just do him in the derby, and he finally said okay,” laughed Evans. “So, I took over the reins and made some magic!”

A rider in a black helmet and jacket guides a dark horse over a brick-patterned jump during an equestrian event, with trees visible in the background.
Jake Evans & Clever. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

In the first round, Evans and the coming 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding delivered a seamless trip to earn the top score of 88. Returning last in the handy round while sitting in the lead, Evans focused on producing another confident effort. The pair navigated the track with tidy turns and jumped all four high options, earning a score of 90 for a two-round total of 178 and the win.

A group of six people and a dog pose outdoors; one person is on a black horse, another holds a large check, with trees and flowers in the background.
Jake Evans & Clever. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The victory carried special meaning for Evans, who dedicated the moment to his mother. “This is my first big derby win at WEC. I’ve won at other venues, but here, I’ve been knocking on the door, and we got it,” he shared. “I want to give a shoutout to my mom and dedicate this win to her. A couple of years ago, when I started Empire Lane, my mom and my wife, Mackenzie, bet on me and went all in. It was a big risk, and they believed in me. With this new year and our business doing so well, and the new property that we just bought, and our clients succeeding, it feels like we’re finally in stride, and I wouldn’t be standing where I am today if she didn’t believe in me.”

$20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results

Last Minute Decision Pays Off for Stateside & Samantha Schaefer in $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby 

A rider in a black jacket and helmet jumps a brown horse over an obstacle during an outdoor equestrian event.
Samantha Schaefer & Stateside. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA 3’ Open National Hunter Derby opened the first Hunter Derby Friday of the winter circuit. Nineteen horse-and-rider combinations challenged a winding course designed by Megan Rawlins, but ultimately, it was Samantha Schaefer and Stacy Sanderson’s Stateside (Van Gogh x Ambitious) who claimed victory.

Schaefer and the eight-year-old gelding made a last-minute decision to compete in the derby following a successful week in the show ring. “This derby was not on my agenda for this week,” Schaefer said. “He was champion in the 3’6” Greens earlier this week, and we had talked about showing in some of these classes — maybe even some bigger derbies for him now that he’s doing the 3’6”. I think this is only his third derby since I’ve had him, so he’s pretty new to it.”

A rider wearing a helmet and blazer guides a bay horse over a jump during an equestrian competition in an outdoor arena.
Samantha Schaefer & Stateside. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The decision paid off as the pair earned a first-round score of 91, placing them second heading into the handy round.

“I didn’t watch a single horse go in the first round before I went,” Schaefer said. “When there are this many jumps and options, I try to have a plan and stick with it. I watched a few go in the handy, and I knew my track and didn’t want to let myself get distracted. I had a plan, and I thought he executed it really well.”

A rider on a horse poses with two people, one holding a trophy and the other holding a large check, next to a dog, at an outdoor equestrian event.
Samantha Schaefer & Stateside. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

That strategy proved successful as Schaefer and Stateside delivered a strong handy round score of 93 for a two-round total of 184, securing the win.

Looking ahead to the remainder of the winter circuit, Schaefer highlighted one event in particular. “I’m most excited for the WCHR Hunter Spectacular,” she expressed. “It’s so exciting and prestigious, and I’m thrilled that class is coming to WEC – Ocala. I also love all of the additional FEI weeks and look forward to starting that next week.”

$15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results

New Year, Big Result for Aedan Mooney & Valor in $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby

A rider on horseback jumps over a red and white brick-patterned obstacle, framed by decorative trellises with flowers, at an outdoor equestrian event.
Aedan Mooney & Valor. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Friday afternoon brought out 37 horse-and-rider combinations to contest the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Ultimately, it was Aedan Mooney and Brannon Loomis Mooney’s Valor (Vagabond De La Pomme x Fabina) who rang in the new year with a win. 

The victory marked a strong start to the year for Mooney, who cited the derby format as a favorite. “I love the derbies, they are probably my favorite class, so it’s amazing to start the first derby of the year off with a win.”

A rider on a brown horse jumps over a green hedge obstacle with decorative columns at an outdoor equestrian event.
Aedan Mooney & Valor. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Mooney delivered a standout first round that earned a score of 90 to sit in second coming into the second round. 

“Valor’s done up to the High Performance,” Mooney said. “He’s done the hunters, the equitation, and even the USET. He’ll do any ring and any height — he’s super versatile.”

The nine-year-old gelding’s versatility was a key strength in the handy round to earn an 89.5 for a two-round total of 179.5, which was strong enough to take home the blue ribbon. 

A rider on horseback poses between two women, one holding a plaque and the other holding a large check, with decorative flowers and signs in the background.
Aedan Mooney & Valor. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Looking ahead, Mooney plans to return to the derby ring with Valor throughout the circuit when she’s not in school. “My goal is to do Derby Finals with him this year, so we’ll start doing those bigger derbies when I’m not at SMU.”

Mooney also praised the atmosphere and amenities at WEC – Ocala. “WEC is so incredible,” she shared. “Everywhere you go, there is something new and exciting.” 

$15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Results

A rider in equestrian gear stands next to a woman holding a gift card certificate. They are outdoors by a decorated arena fence with flowers.
Katherine Addington accepting ‘The Style of Riding Award’ presented by Annie Connolly, owner of ACE Equestrian. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The Style of Riding Award, sponsored by ACE Equestrian, was presented to Katherine Addington in recognition of exemplary horsemanship. The recipient received an embroidered backpack, an ACE gift certificate, and select ACE PRO4MANCE products.

Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV

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