Wilmington, Ohio – A competitive group of decorated hunter athletes concluded the evening in the R+L Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby. Bobby Murphy (USA) laid out the tracks that allowed riders to show off their style. In the end, it was Greg Crolick that rode to the top aboard Jon Cotton’s Testify (Cassini II x Valencia T).
The accomplished professional of Clarkston, Michigan, piloted four horses in the class and was thrilled with the opportunity to prepare his talented mounts for indoor season at WEC.
“It is lovely here at WEC – Ohio. This year I opted not to go to Capital Challenge for a few reasons. Number one was that I thought this would be great preparation for our horses for Harrisburg and the National Horse Show. The decorations here are unparalleled to anything else out there. They get used to seeing the colors and the décor and I think if they can jump around here well, going to indoors will be a cake walk for them.
As the last pair to enter for the handy phase sitting on a score of 88.5 from the first round, Crolick knew his plan after piloting his first two mounts around the track, and relied on the nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding for the top spot.
Crolick commented on all of his horses that moved onto the handy round, “Clooney is actually a greener a horse. He went wonderful. He has a hard time doing the inside tracks, he just has to learn, so a little bit of a green moment. Concalido is one that I have only had since January, and he has done a few derbies. He was great in the first round and was also a little green with the inside turns. But Testify was thankfully right there for me. He is a great horse to have, we have had him for almost a year. He did derby finals and then won a derby in Traverse City just last month!”
With high scores and tight competition, there was little room for error for Crolick and Testify. The duo jumped a textbook second round for a score of 90 and a two-round total of 178.5 for the win.
WEC – Wilmington sponsor 2nd Round Equestrian presented a $500 bonus to Meagan Murray-Tenuta and Dessert First, the second place finishers after the conclusion of the second round of the $15,000 USHJA National Open Derby.
$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby:
1 Testify, Greg Crolick, Jon Cotton | 88.5 | 90 | 178.5
2 Dessert First, Meagan Murray-Tenuta, Leap Of Faith Sport Horses LLC | 90 | 85 | 175
3 Cruise, Havens Schatt, Caroline Moran | 86.5 | 86 | 172.5
4 Jefferson Quote, Colleen Holton, Elanor Hutkai | 85 | 87 | 172
5 Designated, Havens Schatt, Caroline Moran | 89 | 81 | 170
6 Nandino, Samantha Cooper, Ellen Malson | 86 | 83.5 | 169.5
7 Clooney, Greg Crolick, Nicole Jeffries | 87 | 82 | 169
8 Bourbon Street, Tess Von Hemel, Miami University | 85.5 | 80 | 165.5
9 Fineas, Jessica Jurkowitz, Clover Hill Farm | 84.5 | 78 | 162.5
10 Concalido, Greg Crolick, Amy Mulrenin | 88.25 | 74 | 162.25
Maya Rahaim & Catwalk Prevail in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby
The $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby kicked off derby day of Fall Classic 3 at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington. Maya Rahaim and Catwalk (Catoki x Assini) perfected Bobby Murphy’s tracks and galloped away decorated in blue.
The junior rider of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, made the tracks look effortless and was well prepared to execute perfection after her debut in the USHJA/Platinum Performance International Derby Finals this summer.
“Derbies are his specialty. I especially love doing them with him because he is so athletic. He is a really special horse. I have had him for about a year and a half. I have done him in the junior hunters and a lot of derbies. I actually went to USHJA/Platinum Performance International Derby Finals with him, and we put in really great rounds.”
With a textbook first round, Rahaim earned a score of 87 to sit in second place heading into the handy phase.
The handy track suited her 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding, and she was confident returning for round two. “I liked the course today. It was twisty, so it asked a lot of questions, but I thought we executed. He is a really handy horse, so the turns were actually good for us. If you keep him together, he jumps really well so I wasn’t worried about it.”
A consistent second round earned the duo a score of 83 and a winning two-round total of 170, preparing them well for their upcoming trip to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for the Pennsylvania National Horse Show.
“I love it here. It is beautiful and I love the fact that we can stay right on the property. The horses love it, and it is just a great place to come. It is only four hours away for us. We are leaving for Harrisburg on Sunday morning, so this is our prep!”
$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Catwalk, Maya Rahaim, Renaud Farm LLC | 87 | 83 | 170
2 Red Roc, Keira Philpot, Kiere Philpot | 76.5 | 90 | 166.5
3 Carlina 24, Aila Mckeown, Madeline Baer | 84 | 79 | 163
4 Out Of Office, Kendal Meiger, Copper Fox LLC | 88 | 73 | 161
5 Forever Coasting, Corinne Jacoby, Corinne Jacoby | 79 | 81 | 160
6 Guardian, Maren Stuart, Maren Stuart | 78 | 64 | 142
7 Editorial, Jennifer Baker, Becky Price | 72 | 69.5 | 141.5
8 Latoulong Z, Isabelle Kaufman, Isabelle Kaufman | 70 | 71 | 141
9 Cornus Alba D’or, Stacey Friend, Stacey Friend | 85 | 47 | 132
10 Diatendro, Kelley Corrigan, Kelley Corrigan | 82 | 49 | 131