Wilmington, Ohio – Kelsey Epperson returned to victory Friday evening in the R+L Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) Winter Classic 6. Aboard her tried-and-true Didgereedoo VDL (Zavall VDL x Pheminka), Epperson bested 18 horse-and-rider combinations in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby.
Epperson favored Scott Alder’s tracks, finding room to show off her three entered mounts. “I really liked it. I had a few green horses coming in, so I thought it was impressive for the ones that needed that, and challenging for the ones that needed to be challenged. I thought it showed the horses off really nicely.”
“This track was perfect for ‘Diddy.’ It really was mostly singles and two related lines. We got to end on a high option which is always nice to be able to open it up. It was a great course for him,” she shared.
The 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Lashier Properties LLC earned a high first-round score of 91, entering the handy in the lead.
“I always try to stick to my plan. I know my horses, so I always go in and ride what I know. I can’t pay attention to other people,” she shared. “I was excited because we were warming up and heard that one, two and three and were all my friends, so it is always fun either way!”
Showing off her winningest derby mount flawlessly in the second-round, Epperson was rewarded with a score of 87 and winning overall score of 178.
With four entered mounts during Winter Classic 5, Epperson “just wanted to redeem myself this week! I thought the horses went well last week, but I didn’t think I rode my best. I just wanted to go in today and ride how I know how to ride!”
$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Didgereedoo VDL, Kelsey Epperson, Lashier Properties LLC | 91 | 87 | 178
2 Sail Away, Christopher Coberley, Lindsay Lyden | 88 | 88 | 176
3 Cabochon, Michaella Delgreco, Sophie Carlin | 84 | 86 | 170
4 Balou Label, Summer Justus, Dell Kelly | 87 | 82.5 | 169.5
5 Toussaint, Elizabeth Naber, Judy Ulrich Miller | 79.5 | 80 | 159.5
6 Mardi Gras, Kelsey Epperson, Margaret Hackstedde | 79 | 79 | 158
7 Catching Fire, Erica Zirkelbach, Erica Zirkelbach | 76 | 77 | 153
8 TC Cascalan, Leah Smaller, Claudia Dattilo | 72 | 72 | 144
9 My Autograf, Kevin Kirk, Deborah Shepard | 76.5 | 64 | 140.5
10 Elliot, Kelsey Epperson, Danielle Leach | 90 | 50 | 140
Alexis Palmer Climbs Leaderboard with Double Dutch in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby
Twenty-six horse-and-rider combinations met for the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby of WEC – Wilmington Winter Classic 6. Scott Alder designed the tracks, with a handy round perfectly suited for Alexis Palmer, who climbed the leaderboard from sixth place to victory.
Aboard her own, Double Dutch (Valentino x Chocopops), Palmer landed a first round score of 84.
Palmer spoke on her partnership with the experience gelding, “He is a dream. He is a 13-year-old Hanoverian. I have owned him now for three years. He is the most loveable boy ever. I do some of the equitation and I do the 3’6” hunters.”
Returning for the handy sitting in sixth place, Palmer took the handiest track available to impress the judges for the lead.
“I was sitting in sixth after the first round. I have moved up in the second round before because he is quite handy, but never six places! One of my coaches, Maria Blankemeyer, told me the winning track when we walked the course. I didn’t think I could do it; I was scared to make the inside turns, but I did them and I think that was what set me apart!”
With a second-round score of 91, the duo topped the class with a two-round total of 175.
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results:
1 Double Dutch, Alexis Palmer, Alexis Palmer | 84 | 91 | 175
2 Harmony, Rachael Herkowitz, Rachael Herkowitz | 86 | 88 | 174
3 Quinziano, Catherine Eberly, Catherine Eberly | 87.5 | 84 | 171.5
4 SCF Exclusive, Anna Suttman, RLH2 Family Trust | 86.75 | 85 | 170.75
5 Kingston, Charlotte Graham, Charlotte Graham | 83.5 | 86 | 169.5
6 Meraki, Amy Krebs, Brittany Kasprack Coleman | 85.5 | 82 | 167.5
7 Catwalk Z, Jay Potterfield-Zara, Sara Potterfield | 80 | 87 | 167
8 Truly Blue, Charlotte Graham, Charlotte Graham | 81 | 81 | 162
9 Dark Deal, Layne Brogden, Picturesque Farm | 85 | 76 | 161
10 Gregory ES, Liza Shoaf, Liza Shoaf | 82.5 | 72 | 154.5
Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes!
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.