Wilmington, OH – On a perfect spring day at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington, a field of stunning hunters gathered at the Main Hunter Arena to vie for top honors in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby. Bobby Murphy of Lexington, Kentucky, crafted the beautifully designed tracks that received praise from the exhibitors. Rachael Herkowitz of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, impressed the judges aboard her own Harmony (Quiran x Romance I), ultimately claiming the lion’s share of the prize money.
Herkowitz delivered an effortless first round aboard the stylish 10-year-old Holsteiner mare, earning a high score of 90.
“I thought the course rode great,” Herkowitz shared. “The jumps were nice and boxy, so my horse was really able to jump high and round.”
Returning for the handy sitting on top, Herkowitz aimed to maintain her momentum, “The handy had a lot of fun options, so it was nice to be able to show off her rideability and scope.”
With another top score of 89, Herkowitz and Harmony secured the first-place spot on the leaderboard with an overall total of 179.
Herkowitz brought her talented mare to WEC – Wilmington in preparation for Devon, “This was the perfect show to prepare for Devon. The jumps are so beautiful and full. We have been showing in the 3’6” Amateur Owner Hunters, and this will be our first time showing at Devon this year, so we are excited. After today, it’s nice to go there with some confidence.”
“Thank you, Heather Irvine and Kelsey Epperson at Hillside Farm and Tammy Nimback back at home. It was a great team win and I couldn’t do it without them!”
Melissa Donnelly and Elizabeth Becker’s 18-year-old Holsteiner gelding Corlando 49 (Cartani x Olanda I) secured second place with a score of 87 in the first round and an 89 in the handy for an overall total of 175.
Colleen Holton and Clayton 35 (Casall x Konletta), a 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Sarah Steele, rounded out the top three with a two-round total of 174.8.
$10,000 USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Harmony, Rachael Herkowitz, Rachael Herkowitz: 90 | 89 | 179
2 Corlando 49, Melissa Donnelly, Elizabeth Becker: 87 | 88 | 175
3 Clayton 35, Colleen Holton, Sarah Steele: 87.8 | 87 | 174.8
4 Besos Y Abrazos, Devin Milan, Elizabeth Blake: 87.5 | 83 | 170.5
5 N-July Morning, Alison Roper, Alison Roper: 78 | 77 | 155
6 Fineas, Jessica Jurkowitz, Clover Hill Farm: 78.25 | 75 | 153.25
7 Cinda, Elizabeth Becker, Elizabeth Becker: 73 | 78 | 151
8 Chandler Z, Zoe Johnson, Zoe Johnson: 75 | 74.5 | 149.5
9 To Be Des T, Tyle Petrie, Julia Rice: 74 | 74 | 148
10 Watch Hill, Olivia Wilson, Stonegate Equine Facility LTD: 72 | 75 | 147
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Results can be found at horseshowing.com.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.