Wilmington, Ohio – Kelsey Epperson made history in the R+L Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 10 as she secured first, second and third place in the $15,000 Standlee National Open Hunt-N-Go Derby.
The Hunt-N-Go format combined the classic hunter round and the handy round, with horse-and-rider combinations transitioning directly from the final jump of the first round to the handy portion.
“I feel really good! I was really hoping I could do that today, but I was trying not to think about it,” Epperson laughed.
Epperson piloted the first of her three entered mounts, Elliott (L’arc De Triomphe x Renommee Bois Margot), to victory.
“I have only ridden him a few times. This is my third horse show with him, and he just started the 3ft greens. He is so sweet and so fun. He is really quiet, so it is a little tougher for me to ride. I like the ones with a little bit of a motor. His brain is just so good and he is so cool to ride,” Epperson shared about Danielle Leach’s Elliott.
Despite just recently stepping up to the 3ft, the nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding was experienced beyond his years earning a total score of 177 for the win.
“I was nervous about it being a hunt-n-go because I like redemption. Knowing that you only have one shot to do it makes it harder. I like being able to come back and move the results around. Obviously, today was really nice because my horses all went so well.”
Epperson could not be stopped with just one and returned to secure second place with Lashier Properties LLC’s Didgereedoo VDL and third place with Sarah Lothmann’s Bernard.
$15,000 Standlee National Open Hunt-N-Go Derby Results:
1 Elliott, Kelsey Epperson, Danielle Leach | 177
2 Didgereedoo VDL, Kelsey Epperson, Lashier Properties LLC | 175.5
3 Bernard, Kelsey Epperson, Sarah Lothmann | 172
4 Cristiano, Megan Bash, Leighton Goldberg | 171.5
5 West Lake, Melissa Donnelly, Fawn Lake Farm LLC | 169.75
6 Grand Tour, Gabrielle Baker, Morgan Glidden | 165
7 Sazerac, Kaitlyn Skog, Melissa Hague | 164
8 Namesake, Allison Amelia Stabley, Josephine Demmo | 163
9 Tc Cascalan, Leah Smaller, Claudia Dattilo | 161
10 Iester K, Melissa Donnelly, Lily Kosal | 159.5
Emilie Smith & Fitzgerald Best the $15,000 Absorbine National Non-Pro Hunt-N-Go Derby
A total of 38 horse-and-rider combinations gathered for the $15,000 Absorbine National Non-Pro Hunt-N-Go Derby Friday afternoon at Winter Classic 10 where Joe Carnicom set the track.
Emilie Smith ultimately mastered the format, earning the highest combined score to take the win with her own Fitzgerald (L’arc De Triomphe x Braun Girl VH Lindehof).
Smith preferred the Hunt-N-Go format for her and her mount, “I really liked it. He gets exhausted just walking back and forth from his stall! It kept the adrenaline high the whole time. He handled it really well and it was really fun.”
The young rider has been partnered with her nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding since his five-year-old year and spoke highly of their partnership.
“I have had him for three years now. I bought him when he was five and doing the Baby Green Hunters. Now he is my Amateur Owner horse. He is perfect and has always been game for everything. He is a little naughty every once in a while,” Smith laughed. “He tries his best for everything he does. He is honest, goofy and just perfect.”
Smith was ultimately rewarded for her consistency around the track, earning a score of 182 to secure the lead.
“WEC has been wonderful. I have been coming here since I had a short stirrup pony in 2018. I have had several horses here. It is always a good place for us to come. It is warm in the winter, the stalls are great and everyone is so nice,” Smith shared about WEC – Wilmington.
$15,000 Absorbine National Non-Pro Hunt-N-Go Derby Results:
1 Fitzgerald, Emilie Smith, Emilie Smith | 182
2 Leap of Faith, Anna Suttman, Tessa Frisch | 176.5
3 Kingston, Charlotte Graham, Charlotte Graham | 173.5
4 Belamour, Gabrielle Sharlow, Bays and Grays LLC | 169
5 Red Roc, Kiera Phlipot, Kiere Phlipot | 168
6 Romano, Catie Karpowich, Catie Karpowich | 167.5
7 Lorenzo Z, Ava Roof, Ava Roof | 164
8 Latido, Svanna McMichael, Savanna McMichael | 163
9 Kassina, Marisa Deyoung, Marisa Deyoung | 161
10 Nabu Son, Tiara D’Amico, Tiara D’Amico | 159.5
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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.