Lauren Underhill & Innamorato Impress in $15,000 Relyne by Hagyard USHJA Hunt-N-Go Derby

Wilmington, Ohio – The R+L Arena set the stage for a winning round by Lauren Underhill at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington’s (WEC) Christmas in the Midwest, where she piloted Emily Sweeney’s Innamorato to the highest score of the day in the $15,000 Relyne by Hagyard USHJA National Hunt-N-Go Derby.

When asked about her excitement and partnership with the horse, Underhill spoke highly of the young gelding and the bond they’ve developed over the past year.

“He is seven years old, showing as an eight-year-old, and this is really his first full year of showing,” she explained. “He thrives on a challenge, so the derbies—especially the handy—are always his favorite. He’s just the coolest horse. He’s such a partner. I can trust him, I can ask him to do anything, and I know he’ll be there for me.”

“We started him at three-foot and moved him up to 3’3” because he has so much scope,” she continued. “We began doing derbies this summer, starting in Kentucky in May. He’s really shined in the derbies—especially in the handy rounds. He’s just fun to ride. He’s always game, and he always tries.”

Coming late in the order, Underhill and the eight-year-old gelding impressed with both their classic and handy efforts around the combined track, earning scores of 89, 87, and four high options for a winning total of 180.

As a regular competitor at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington, she also noted how the venue plays a key role in developing young horses.

“It’s fantastic,” she shared. “We’re only about 30 to 35 minutes away, so we can come over easily. It’s great because we get to school the rings when we need to, even at night. The footing is good, and all the updates—the new stabling, the mats—there have been so many improvements. It’s been amazing.”

Emerson Nolte & Blue Jay Way Lead the Way in the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunt-N-Go Derby

Out of 22 horse-and-rider combinations, it was Emerson Nolte who led the way aboard her own Blue Jay Way in the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunt-N-Go Derby.

Having only been together for six months, Nolte reflected on how quickly their partnership has developed.

“His show name is Blue Jay Way, but we call him Wally in the barn. I’ve had him for about six months now, and I’ve been showing him in the 3’3” Juniors. We went to indoors, and now we’re here! It feels really great to get a derby win with such a new partnership. This is actually my second derby ever on him!”

The hunt-and-go format offered a unique track, one that Nolte felt played to her strengths.

“I really like the hunt-and-go format because you only go in once and then you’re done—it’s a little less stressful,” she smiled. “I thought the track was really nice, with a lot of singles and lines where you could just go forward and get a good jump.”

Nolte’s nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding flowed around the track with a pleasant expression, earning the duo a total score of 175 to take the win.

She also commented on the festive atmosphere of the venue.

“I also love how everything is so decorated here over Christmas time. It’s really fun. Being able to show here in the winter without going to Florida or staying local where it’s freezing gives us such a great opportunity, and it feels really special to be here. It definitely helps us build our partnership.”

The win added to the excitement for Nolte and the Kimber-View Stables team, as it followed her acceptance to the NCAA Equestrian Team at Baylor University. Congratulations, Emerson!