Wilmington, Ohio – Hunters took the spotlight for the $10,000 Kentucky Equine Research USHJA National Hunter Derby at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Spring I Friday afternoon under the sun. Out of 15 horse field, Melissa Donnelly ultimately returned to the top with her tried-and-true Corlando 49 (Cartani x Olanda I).
Bobby Murphy designed the flowing track that allowed numerous riders to reach scores into the mid-90s. Donnelly was pleased with the fluidity of the track, “Overall, I thought the course was very nice. It was very fluid, and it was a nice change of track out there.”
“There were a few different turns and a nice S across the middle. The handy round was a lot of fun. We had different options to make the tighter turns or go around if you needed to,” she shared.
Aboard Elizabeth Becker’s 19-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Donnelly has racked up a list of derby wins at WEC – Wilmington and was thrilled to find herself on top of the leaderboard after a break from the show ring.
“It is lovely to have my grey man back,” she smiled. “This is his first big win back and it is so wonderful. He has come back primed and ready and acts like he hasn’t missed a beat. I also want to thank Kentucky Equine Research for sponsoring the class today and for their unwavering support of the sport!”
Scores of 88 and 91 gave the seasoned duo a winning two round total of 179.
Jenna Drago earned the red ribbon with scores of 86 and 92 with her own 18-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Sandriano (Sandro Boy x Cool Pearl Z).
The nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Elliott (L’arc De Triomphe x Renommee Bois Margot), owned by Danielle Leach, secured third place with Kelsey Epperson in the irons with scores of 91 and 84.5.
$10,000 Kentucky Equine Research USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Corlando 49, Melissa Donnelly, Elizabeth Becker | 88 | 91 | 179
2 Sandriano, Jenna Drago, Jenna Drago | 86 | 92 | 178
3 Elliott, Kelsey Epperson, Danielle Leach | 91 | 84.5 | 175.5
4 Mtm Bentley, Allie Mcbreen, Lori Taylor | 87 | 88 | 175
5 Red Roc, Kiera Phlipot, Kiera Phlipot | 84 | 89 | 173
6 R Du Sol, Devin Milan, Devin Milan | 74 | 90 | 164
7 Night Moves, Magnolia Labuda, Roseann Messina | 69 | 82 | 151
8 Alexander I, Karston Gundry, Allison Truett | 73 | 77 | 150
9 Barnette, Julia Rice, Julia Rice | 85 | 64 | 149
10 Carosello, Kevin Gallagher, Marigot Bay Farm LLC | 83 | 49 | 132
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Results can be found at wec.net.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.