Wilmington, Ohio – Horses were in top form over Michael Pegg’s (CAN) tracks for the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 14. After two competitive rounds, Jason Berry ultimately bested the class aboard David Beisel’s The Boy Friend (Gracieux x Vironja).
Gathered by the Beisel family after his winnings, Berry was thankful for the special friendship, “It is really important to us to cultivate such special friendships like theirs. We are so happy to help each other when need be. The Beisel’s are lending us a pony next week, I have goosebumps just thinking about it! It is so special to have close relationships at the show and in the industry and we are really thankful for them.”
Of his three entered mounts, Berry returned for the handy in the lead with ‘Boy Friend’ with a first-round score of 94.
The experienced 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding made light work of the second round, pleasing the judges for a score of 89.
Izzy Besiel commented on her supportive role in the successful evening, “From a viewer stand point, I thought Mr. Berry did a great job. Boy Friend also landed on the right lead after the end jump, which he never does!”
The duo ultimately bested the field with an overall score of 183.
$15,000 Hagyard USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 The Boy Friend, Jason Berry, David Beisel | 94 | 89 | 183
2 Kingston Blue, Richard Rinehart, Claire Rockacy | 88.5 | 88 | 176.5
3 No Secret, Catherine Rinehart, Donald Stewart | 87.25 | 88.75 | 176
4 Corlando 49, Melissa Donnelly, Elizabeth Becker | 88 | 86.5 | 174.5
5 Cadbury, Jason Berry, Jason Berry | 77.5 | 96 | 173.5
6 Credible De Bornival Z, Kathleen Caya, Colleen Nagy White | 85 | 88.1 | 173.1
7 Bourbon Street, Tess Von Hemel, Miami University | 85.25 | 86.5 | 171.75
8 Cinda, Melissa Donnelly, Elizabeth Becker | 83 | 83.25 | 166.25
9 DHI Anchorman, Jason Berry, Charlotte Cleveland | 78 | 87.5 | 165.5
10 Eurythmix, Kathleen Caya, Susan Winchester | 79 | 86 | 165
Career High for Alisa Berry in the $15,000 Shoo-fly USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby
The $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby sponsored by Shoo-fly saw 29 horse-and-rider combinations compete over Michael Pegg’s (CAN) tracks with numerous scores reaching the 90s, though it was a familiar face that returned to the winner’s circle.
Alisa Berry (USA) scored a career high of 98 aboard her winningest mount, On Point (Cola Zero x Lolita), in the first round to ultimately maintain her top spot.
“My highest score before today was a 93. I told Jason [Berry] I thought I was going to cry! You work really hard, leave your family and spend hours doing this, so when it all comes together it means a lot,” said Berry.
Initially, the course did not particularly suit Berry’s stylish nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding, though he rose to the occasion with ease.
“’Porter’ is much more of a hunter than an equitation horse. Right before I went in, Jason said that I couldn’t show him off. It was more of an equitation course than a hunter course. He told me to shorten my reins, be on track and be ahead of myself three strides. I really had to ride the course. I was a bit apprehensive about whether or not it would work because it isn’t his style at all, and he just molded! He was super,” Berry explained.
When the seasoned amateur is not competing, she can be found above the ring on the judging panel.
Berry discussed how judging influences her perspective, “It doesn’t change the riding plan. Judges are looking for a feeling. I think people get really caught up on the numbers in the bending lines, when in reality judges are looking for it to be fluid, and they really care about the quality of the horses. I am a very technical rider, but at the end of the day whatever is going to suit your horse and show off their quality the best is the right answer.”
With a second-round score of 90 and the highest two-round total of the day of 188, the duo secured their fourth derby win of the series.
$15,000 Shoo-fly USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results:
1 On Point, Alisa Berry, Alisa Berry | 98 | 90 | 188
2 Clooney LB, Haylee Moore, Brooke Moore | 92 | 92.5 | 184.5
3 Kudos, Gabrielle Sharlow, Bays and Greys LLC | 90.5 | 90.5 | 181
4 Lewis Van De Kampel, Madison Cadieux-Moran, Madison Cadiuex-Moran | 88.5 | 89 | 177.5
5 Certainty, Nicole Lyvere, Nicole Lyvere | 80.25 | 93 | 173.25
6 Jackson De Coeur Des Collines, Maggie Lawler, Maggie Lawler | 91 | 82 | 173
7 Allure DVE, Sinead Fennelly, Sinead Fennelly | 83 | 80.5 | 163.5
8 Disco EK, Braelynn Fifield, Emily Walsh | 78.25 | 85.2 |163.45
9 Air Boss, Siyona Roopchan, Siyona Roopchan | 74 | 80 | 154
10 Konstantin, Emily Laudenbach, Emily Laudenbach | 75 | 73.4 | 148.5