Ocala, FL – The final Hunter Derby Friday of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series left a lasting impression, with more than 120 magnificent hunters gracing the WEC Stadium during World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Kevin Holowack designed the elegant courses for the four competitive derbies: the $75,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, the $75,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, the $37,500 USHJA National 3’ Amateur Hunter Derby, and the $37,500 USHJA National 3’ Junior Hunter Derby.
The $75,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby marked the day’s finale and attracted the finest hunter riders in the country all vying for top prize. Amanda Steege of Califon, New Jersey, clinched victory atop her long-time partner Lafitte De Muze (Darco x Everlychin De La Pomme), owned by Cheryl Olsten, after flawlessly navigating two beautiful rounds.
Reflecting on the day’s courses in the WEC Stadium, Steege remarked, “The course was lovely. It was very flowing. It didn’t have many numbers and counting which is what I really like for a derby course.”
Steege guided the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding through an effortless first round, earning a worthy score of 90.25.
While some riders faced unfortunate rails in the handy round, Steege remained steadfast in her strategy. “The handy was a lot harder than we all thought it would be,” she commented. “I mostly did all of the inside turns. There was sort of an awkward turn from jump two to jump three that I saw in the walk, but I didn’t think it was a good turn for Lafitte. I told my sister, ‘Whatever happens, do not let me get talked into doing that turn.’
“I knew I could make it look just as nice by going around carrying a little bit of pace,” she added. “When it came time, the scores were really close within the top four and I saw people do it and do it well. I made the conscious decision to go around the oxer, and it paid off.”
With another impressive score of 89 in the second round, Steege secured a two-round total of 179.25, finishing her winter circuit on a high note.
“I haven’t won this class on him, and there is a very short list of classes now he hasn’t won, so I am happy for him,” she said. “The prize money is unbelievable. In the hunter world, prize money like this is still not something I am totally used to. We had a great circuit, and we will have a little vacation after this week.”
$75,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results:
1 Lafitte De Muze, Amanda Steege, Cheryl Olsten: 90.25 | 89 | 179.25
2 Wisely, Jordan Lubow, Opening Bell Sporthorses, LLC: 89 | 89.5 | 178.5
3 MTM Lolah LOL, Dorothy Douglas, Abigail Davenport: 85 | 93 | 178
4 Quew De Kreisker Z, Megan Young, Bailey Schram: 88 | 87 | 175
5 Coltrane, Daniel Geitner, Magnolia Lane Stables, LLC: 91 | 83 | 174
6 MTM Coco, Sarah Barge, Steven Saumell: 90 | 79 | 169
7 Hollywood, Erika Moore, Moore Acres, LLC: 86 | 64 | 150
8 Cera Charisma, Brady Mitchell, Rein Family LLC: 90.5 | 50 | 140.5
9 Triple Gold, Robert Stucky, Caron Stucky: 92 | 46 | 138
10 Cornet’s Edition, Brady Mitchell, Rein Family LLC: 89.5 | 48 | 137.5
Not to Worry – Tiffany Cambria Seals the Deal in $75,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby
The $75,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby opened up the first of four very competitive derbies on the last Hunter Derby Friday of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series. Tiffany Cambria of Upperville, Virginia, piloted Sabrina Hellman’s Not To Worry (Casall x Flora VI) to the victory with two solid scores in the 90s.
Cambria guided the 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding to a seamless first round for a high score of 90.
She spoke about her partnership with the stylish gelding, “I’ve had ‘Oakley’ for about a year now. Sabrina Hellman’s daughter, Sarah, used to ride and show him. She had great success with him but took a small break. She sent him to me to do this job, and he took to it beautifully.”
Returning for the second round in fourth place, Cambria was aware of the ground she needed to cover. However, every rider faced a similar challenge on the course. “I knew my plan from the beginning; it was pretty much what everyone else had done, but I thought I would be a little bit more on the handier side from [jumps] three to four. It was an S-shaped jump, so I focused on landing the leads and snaking around.
“I wasn’t sure completely,” she continued, “but I asked a couple of riders that are really good friends and great athletes, and they all said, ‘Do it if you think your horse can do it.’”
A remarkable score of 93 in the handy round combined with her initial score resulted in an overall total of 183, securing Cambria the top spot on the leaderboard.
$75,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Not To Worry, Tiffany Cambria, Sabrina Hellman: 90 | 93 | 183
2 Copper Canyon, Jennifer Jones, Adele Einhorn: 91 | 88 | 179
3 Tangelina, Amanda Steege, Cara Garito: 90.5 | 87.75 | 178.25
4 Cypress, Timothy Maddrix, Missy Nolen: 85.75 | 92 | 177.75
5 Your Welcome BC, Daniel Geitner, Donald Stewart: 87.5 | 89.75 | 177.25
6 Prado, Kate Conover, Falcon Ridge Stables: 87 | 90 | 177
7 Even Steven, Daniel Geitner, Margaret Russell: 86.5 | 89 | 175.5
8 Lincoln, Jennifer Jones, Elle Gibbs: 86 | 87 | 173
9 Blue Monday, Hillary Johnson, Stephanie Battershall: 88 | 84 | 172
10 Eldoret, Jake Evans, Karen Redding: 89 | 82.5 | 171.5
Isabel Harbour and Agave Save the Best for Last in the $37,500 USHJA National 3’ Amateur Hunter Derby
Isabel Harbour, hailing from Alpharetta, Georgia, claimed victory in the $37,500 USHJA National 3’ Amateur Hunter Derby by guiding Agave (El Salvador x Balerina) to his inaugural derby win of the circuit.
Starting with a solid score of 86 in the initial round, Harbour knew they had points to make up. Fortunately, the handy round played to Harbour’s strengths. She explained, “I watched the professionals in the first derby, and I was like, ‘Oh, this has my name all over it.’ When I walked this morning, I walked all the turns and made sure that I was tidy everywhere but gave him enough room to jump well.”
Harbour guided the 10-year-old Warmblood gelding to a stellar track for a score of 88 to equal a two-round total of 174 and ultimately gallop away with the winning title.
Harbour reminisced about her partnership with Agave, “I’ve had him for about two years now. He was from Bobby Braswell at Terrapin Hill Farms. His daughter Molly [Braswell] was showing him in the 3’3” Amateurs, and I was like, ‘Ah, I think I need that horse.’ I’m very happy with my decision. He’s really getting a hang of the handies, which is my favorite part too. He always jumped well and is just a good boy.”
$37,500 USHJA National 3’ Amateur Hunter Derby Results:
1 Agave, Isabel Harbour, IMH Equine, LLC: 86 | 88 | 174
2 Small Safari, Augusta Iwasaki, Augusta Iwasaki: 88 | 85 | 173
3 Double Fantasy, Augusta Iwasaki, Donald Stewart: 79 | 86 | 165
4 K&T Game Of Thrones, Ella Bostwick, Christine Bostwick: 76 | 84.5 | 160.5
5 Fitz, Isabel Harbour, IMH Equine, LLC: 78 | 82 | 160
6 Expresso, Kaitlyn Christopherson, Kaitlyn Christopherson: 77.5 | 76 | 153.5
7 Small Love, Augusta Iwasaki, Iwasaki & Reilly: 91 | 60 | 151
8 Lex Lano, Samantha Sommers, Donald Stewart: 87 | 54 | 141
9 Watermark, Kiley Prime, Kiley Prime: 89 | 51 | 140
10 Genuine, Hayley Waters Wear, Dana Waters: 80 | 59 | 139
Cerano Goes Three-for-Three With Maddie Tosh in $37,500 USHJA National 3’ Junior Hunter Derby
Thirty-five skilled junior horse-and-rider pairs showcased their talents over Kevin Holowack’s derby courses, but it was accomplished junior rider Maddie Tosh of Milton, Georgia, who clinched her fourth derby victory of the season and took home the lion’s share of the prize money aboard Ceil Wheeler’s Cerano.
“I thought it was really nice,” said Tosh of the course design. “There were a lot of unrelated lines where you didn’t have to get stuck on a number, which is really great for my horse because he has such a great stride and rhythm. I was able to get on a nice gallop and keep it throughout the course. I thought he really rose to the occasion.”
The duo delivered an exceptional first round and earned an impressive score of 93. Heading into the handy round in the lead, Tosh remained focused on executing a polished performance.
“I really liked my handy track and how I rode it on my first horse,” she noted. “ I wanted to replicate that the best I could. My first horse in the class is more of an equitation horse, so he did the track well, but Cerano also has a lot of equitation experience. That was in my favor and I knew I could call on him because he’s been so good and so consistent all winter. He’s done three derbies and won all three.”
Once again, the pair impressed with a stellar performance in the handy round and secured a score of 91 for a total of 184 over two rounds.
$37,500 USHJA National 3’ Junior Hunter Derby Results:
1 Cerano, Maddie Tosh, Ceil Wheeler: 93 | 91 | 184
2 Lantos, Madison Stewart, Madison Stewart: 90 | 92 | 182
3 Cellini, Ava Campbell, Brady Mitchell: 91 | 89.25 | 180.25
4 Ulysses, Maddie Tosh, Betsee Parker: 85.5 | 94 | 179.5
5 Jagerbomb, Lauren Gee, Donald Stewart: 86 | 90 | 176
6 Conlaro, Ella Tarumianz, Deer Creek Farm LLC: 89 | 86 | 175
7 Semi-Automatic C, Taylor Matalon, Matalon Equestrian LLC: 83 | 89 | 172
8 Cara Z, Abigail Sapp, Brick City Equestrian LLC: 85 | 82 | 167
9 Radio City, Madison Stewart, Roaring Fork Farms LLC: 81 | 81 | 162
10 MTM Scrabble, Sunshine Buchanan, Olivia Growcock: 81 | 79 | 160
‘THE STYLE OF RIDING AWARD’
Before the start of the handy round in the $75,000 Golden Ocala 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby, Bill Rube presented the prestigious Style of Riding Award to Sarah Barge for her classic style and sportsmanship. The recipient serves as a role model for preserving the integrity and tradition of equestrian sport. “This award is very special to me because the recipient of this award pays it forward both in and out of the show ring,” says Rube. Barge received a duffel bag and wore a white rose corsage on her lapel throughout the handy round to signify her achievement.
Visit HorseShowing.com for final results.