![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/openderby_1st_1110_220107_R5W_8864-copy-1024x683.jpg)
Wilmington, OHIO – The first Derby Friday of the 2022 WEC Winter in the Midwest kicked off today with over forty fabulous hunters taking to the R+L Arena, all vying for a big win during World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) week competition.
Keith Bollette designed the tracks for the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3′ Open and $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3′ Non-Pro classes which featured stunning natural obstacles and forward lines that allowed riders to show off their horse’s athletic abilities and jumping style. This afternoon’s $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3′ Open saw twenty competitive horse-and-rider combinations and scores soaring into the 90s.
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/openderby_1st_1110_220107_BRT_2991-copy-1-1024x683.jpg)
Kelsey Epperson and Lashier Properties LLC’s Didgereedoo VDL (Zavall VDL x Pheminka) rose to victory, negotiating two beautiful rounds which earned them a pair of excellent scores. Epperson and the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood performed beautifully, jumping all three high options to earn a score of 90.
Epperson liked how the track rode and wanted to make sure all four of her entries had a fair advantage, “It can be nerve-wracking to ride several horses in the same class because you want to do best by each of the owners. Today was no exception, but things went well and I loved how the course rode. I was able to get a quicker pace in a few places and that shook off my nerves and allowed me to focus. ”
The pair then delivered a foot-perfect handy round, finished off with a trot fence to earn a score of 92, totaling 182 for a win.
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/openderby_2nd_1839_220107_R5W_7452-copy-1024x683.jpg)
Another mount of Epperson’s, Tulio, landed in the second-place spot in today’s Open Derby. The seven-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by LTJ & Company LLC completed two foot-perfect rounds, finishing just two points off of first place. The pair rode to a first-round score of 91 and a second-round score of 89.5 for a total score of 180.5 to ultimately take home second place honors.
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/openderby_3rd_0023_220107_R5W_8916-copy-1024x683.jpg)
Jeff Gogul and Roaring Brook LLC’s No Doubt rounded out the top three finishers. Gogul and the nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding were nearly flawless, executing two beautiful rounds that resulted in scores of 92 and 88, totaling 180 for the yellow ribbon.
$10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3′ Open Results:
- Didgereedoo VDL, Kelsey Epperson: 90 | 92 | 182
- Tulio, Kelsey Epperson: 91 | 89.5 | 180.5
- No Doubt, Jeff Gogul: 92 | 88 | 180
- MTM Bentley, David Beisel: 83.5 | 89 | 172.5
- Casiro, Kelsey Epperson: 82 | 90 | 172
- Dalliance, Michaella T. Gerlacher: 83 | 85 | 168
- Undercover, Christopher Coberley: 84.5 | 79 | 163.5
- Charismatic, Mariano Posada: 82.5 | 80 | 162.5
- Hip Hop, Jeff Gogul: 81 | 81 | 162
- Corlando 49, Melissa P. Donnelly: 88 | 70 | 158
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/nonproderby_1st_0011_220107_BRT_4456-1024x683.jpg)
Twenty-one fanciful hunters took to the R+L arena for the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3′ Non-Pro division. While there were many exceptional rounds, none could best the seasoned derby duo, Kiera Philpot and her own Red Roc (Roc USA x Rhea).
Philpot is a frequent visitor to the winner’s circle at WEC Wilmington in the Non-Pro derby and never fails to impress the judges. Tonight’s course was no different for the seasoned pair, who earned top scores of 87 and 81.5 and a total or 168.5 for the win.
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/nonproderby_1st_0011_220107_BRT_3714-1024x683.jpg)
After the class, we chatted with Kiera about her horse and her strategy. “I’ve had Paddy for many years. I started him as an unbroke four-year-old and he is thirteen now. I brought him up myself, so securing wins like this is a feeling like no other. This course featured a lot of good turns and bending lines, which allowed us options. The class was just so fun and I dedicate this ride to my dear friend who had surgery today.”
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/nonproderby_2nd_0004_220107_BRT_3680-1024x683.jpg)
Claiming the second place spot was Elizabeth Becker and her own Cinda. Becker and the gorgeous bay mare finished the first round with a score of 81. They returned to the handy and delivered an awe-inspiring round to finish with a score of 87. This pair’s two-round total was a score of 168 for the bright red ribbon.
![](https://worldequestriancenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/nonproderby_3rd_1124_220107_BRT_3442-1024x683.jpg)
Rounding out the top three in tonight’s non-pro derby was Sophia Keoleian and Ethereal. This team delivered smooth rounds and notched respectable scores of 88 and 79.75 for a total of 167.75, landing them in the third-place spot.
$10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3′ Non-Pro Results:
- Red Roc, Kiera Philpot: 87 | 81.5 | 168.5
- Cinda, Elizabeth Becker: 81 | 87 | 168
- Ethereal, Sophia Keoleian: 88 | 79.75 | 167.75
- Full Count, Emma Paul: 79.5 | 88 | 167.5
- Poetic, Ava Tzioufas: 80 | 81 | 161
- Cotentin Des Roques, Autumn Bradbury: 84 | 76 | 160
- Merlot, Sarah Demczuk: 78 | 81 | 159
- Authentic, Hannah Jackson: 79 | 79.5 | 158.5
- Celebration, Bianca Salituri: 76 | 79 | 155
- Lady Illusion, Kristin N. Wozniak: 80 | 69 | 149
Photos courtesy of Winslow Photography