Ocala, FL – The first Hunter Derby Friday of the 2024 December Show Series brought skilled hunter combinations to the WEC Stadium for an exciting lineup of three competitive derbies: the $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, and the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Course designer Kenny Krome set flowing tracks that showcased each horse’s rideability and brilliance.
In the $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”- 3’9” Hunter Derby, Megan Young delivered two stellar rounds aboard Malito, owned by Jane Baysore, to secure the top prize.
The eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding impressed in the first round, jumping all four high options effortlessly for a score of 87.
“We got him last March. He was freshly imported after competing as a 1.50m jumper,” Young shared. “When we tried him in Europe, they put the jumps up, and he was amazing—super scopey and brave. My friend Meredith Bross was with us and said, ‘You need this horse to be your derby horse,’ and now here we are,” she laughed.
Returning for the handy round in second place, Young focused on consistency. “I really just wanted to be smooth and avoid a rail because there were quite a few today. He held it together and was great.” With a handy score of 92 and an overall total of 179, Young and Malito took top honors by 16.5 points.
Looking ahead, Young is eager for the winter circuit. “He’ll do the 3’9” Greens and keep competing in the derbies until he’s sold. If he’s still around for the International Hunter Derbies here in the winter, he’ll definitely do those.”
Young expressed her gratitude to Malito’s owner, Jane Baysore. “She’s been incredibly supportive, and I’m so thankful she bought him as an investment for me to compete in the derbies.”
$12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results
Jennifer Jones Earns Double Victory in the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby
Early Friday morning, 27 elegant hunters gathered at the WEC Stadium to vie for top honors. Jennifer Jones stole the spotlight, earning first place aboard Lincoln (Navajo V’ant Vianahof x Cartagena Indias Ecaussinnes), owned by Elle Gibbs, and second place with Copper Canyon (Irish Wiskey Z x Fubertha), owned by Adele Einhorn.
Jones first entered the ring with Lincoln, delivering a flawless first round that earned an impressive score of 90. Later, she returned with Copper Canyon and upped the ante, scoring an even higher 91.
“The first round was friendly,” Jones shared. Reflecting on the handy round, which included a unique bounce feature, she added, “It was really fun. We had to do a lot of bounces as kids in equitation, so it was fun to have that in a handy. Both horses are really game for anything, so I knew they’d handle it easily.”
For the handy round, Jones returned first on Lincoln, the seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding. She wowed the judges with a spectacular performance, earning a high score of 94 and a two-round total of 184 to secure the win.
Closing the competition, Jones entered last aboard Copper Canyon, a seven-year-old Warmblood gelding. Another stunning effort earned her a matching score of 91, for a total of 182 and second place.
“They were both really great today,” Jones said. “I’m looking forward to the upcoming winter circuit. Last year, they both won a few derbies, and they love this ring, so I’m excited to get them back out here.”
$10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results
Madison Stewart and E Di Luca Land the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Win
Madison Stewart claimed victory in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby aboard E Di Luca (Diarado x Dorina), owned by Reynolds Cole. The duo impressed with two flawless rounds to secure the win.
Stewart and the 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding delivered a stellar first round, earning an impressive score of 90.
Stewart, who has a strong bond with E Di Luca, shared, “I’ve been riding ‘Norman’ [E Di Luca] for about two years. I actually used to lease him and show him in the Juniors, so it was so much fun to get to show him again!”
Heading into the handy round in the lead, Stewart felt confident in her partner’s abilities. “Coming back on top, I wanted to just have a smooth handy round. Norman is very handy and turns super easy, so the handy is always a class we can show off in,” she said.
The pair delivered another polished performance in the handy, earning a score of 89 for a combined total of 179, sealing their well-deserved victory.
$10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Results
Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV
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