Kelsey Epperson & Apache 286 Take Top Honors in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby at Winter Classic 2

Wilmington, Ohio – Christmas trees and festive holiday décor filled the R+L Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) for the first $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby of the 2026 Winter in the Midwest Series. With Bobby Murphy’s picturesque course providing the perfect backdrop for the field, it was Kelsey Epperson who ultimately took top honors aboard Naytraders LLC’s Apache 286.

“Today was the first time I have ever done a derby on Apache! Our partnership is brand new. He is only eight years old and I got to watch him show some last winter and I have always really loved him. I am really honored to be able to show him,” Epperson commented on her winning mount.

The track suited Epperson’s style, “I love single oxers,” she laughed. “There were a lot of unrelated distances so I loved the track. Apache is a very handy horse, so I was excited to do all the inside turns coming back for the handy and have the opportunity to show him off. I just tried not to mess up the trot jump!”

Epperson flowed around Murphy’s first round track to secure a first round score of 86.

The duo returned sitting in second place for the second round and showed off, jumping a slick handy effort to impress the judges.

Apache 286, the eight-year-old Warmblood gelding executed every inside turn perfectly, earning the highest single-round score of the day with a 90.

A two-round total of 176 earned the duo to blue ribbon for Epperson and Apache 286, capping a strong start to the Winter in the Midwest Series at WEC.

“As always, I am very thankful to the entire team at Hillside and Apache’s wonderful owners for the opportunity to have the ride.”

Kiera Phlipot Pilots Roc Slyde to First $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Win

Sixteen horse-and-rider combinations kicked off Friday’s $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby during Winter Classic 2. Though her list of derby wins is long, the day proved especially memorable for Kiera Phlipot as she guided her own Roc Slyde to his first-ever derby victory.

“This was his first derby win. He’s been third twice before, but this is his first derby win—don’t tell Paddy [Red Roc],” she laughed. “This was really his first week stepping up to the 3’6”, and he came into it like he’s been doing it forever. It really seems to be his wheelhouse.”

Phlipot navigated Bobby Murphy’s track with ease, earning a first-round score of 86 and returning in second place for the handy round.

“Stepping into the derby, I was thankful that three of the first four fences were 3’6” or 3’5”, which really helped me settle into a rhythm,” she noted. “I loved the course. Bobby always does a great job, but it was especially nice to have a lot of singles to keep the flow going, and everything is just so beautiful right now with the Christmas décor!”

“He’s handy, but he’s still figuring things out. He’s a little slower in his body, so my game plan was really just to be tidy and smooth,” Phlipot shared ahead of the second round.

“There was one end jump I didn’t nail in the first round like I wanted to, so I planned to go around there in the handy to fix my mistake. I just wanted to jump a good, smooth track, stay consistent, and let the chips fall where they may. And it just happened to be our day today.”

The seven-year-old Oldenburg gelding jumped in picture-perfect style, earning a score of 84 in the second round for a two-round total of 170 to secure the win.

With a string of personal horses in her barn, Phlipot has relied on WEC – Wilmington for developing her young talent. She highlighted the benefits of the facility for bringing along hunters.

“I develop most of my young horses here at WEC. Between the atmosphere, the horse-first mentality of the staff, and all the opportunities the horse show provides with jump decorations, schooling, and even the warm-up environment, it really sets the horses up for success. Everyone does a great job of making sure that not only is it a top-quality horse show, but it’s a top-quality experience. The horses always leave here feeling better.”