There’s no better spot to be on a Friday night this Fall than in the stands (or on a horse) in World Equestrian Center’s R+L Arena. Friday nights at World Equestrian Center have always been reserved for the USHJA National Hunter Derby, but we’ve upped the ante for our Fall Horse Shows, holding both an Open and a Non Pro $20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby every Friday during all five weeks of competition. We’ve even added a $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby to the mix during WEC Fall Classic II!
Tonight proved that exhibitors share our excitement for the Open and Non Pro $20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derbies with nearly fifty entries in the two classes. The Open and Non Pro classes competed over identical courses expertly designed by Bobby Murphy of Lexington, Kentucky. The course featured inviting cedar brush, stunning natural obstacles and Fall decor galore. Entries contested ten fences throughout the class including a four high options, two bending lines, a one stride line and even a Fall-themed water wheel.
$20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open
The evening began with the Open division of the $20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby where seventeen entries vied for the $20,000 prize. Ultimately, it was Jennifer Alfano of Ocala, Florida and her own Page One (Chin Champ x Wielena E) that took top honors.
Alfano and Page One, a six year old Holsteiner mare, have regularly competed in the 3’6″ Green Hunters this year, earning top placings across the Eastern United States. Tonight, the pair wowed the judges with their accuracy and style over each fence. Alfano and Page One were among the highest scoring entries in the first round, earning a score of 89. The pair later returned for the handy round and Bond showed off the bay mare’s maneuverability, taking several inside turns and earning a score of 91. This brought the duo’s two round total to 180, placing them at the top of the class.
The pair had no lack of competition with an impressive amount of entries scoring onto the high eighties and nineties. Belynda Bond was first to set the standard of high scores aboard Gesture LLC’s Norderney. Bond and the fourteen year old Hanoverian mare are no strangers to WEC’s USHJA National Hunter Derbies, taking second place in early May against twenty entries. Tonight, the pair brought their A-game, riding a foot-perfect first round and setting the tone with a score of 90. Bond and Norderney returned in the handy round to execute a second flawless course, earning a score of 88, bringing their two round total to 178 for a second place finish.
Melissa Donnelly was also among the high-scoring entries on both Elizabeth Becker’s Corlando 49 (Cartani x Olanda I) and TJ Campbell’s Improv, placing third and fourth respectively. Donnelly earned overall scores of 174 aboard Corlando 49 and 172 aboard Improv, proving to be a strong contender with both mounts.
We caught up with Jennifer Alfano of Ocala, Florida after the awards presentation to chat about her ride aboard Page One. “She was great. I mean, she’s a young horse but I’ve been sort of getting her feet wet in the National Derbies this year to get ready for the big stuff. I was thrilled with her today. She was great both rounds.”
Alfano continued, “She’s six years old. She shows in the 3’6″ Greens and she’s been doing some National Derbies this Summer. This is her first National Derby win. It’s very exciting.”
When asked who her groom was for tonight’s Groom’s Award, which included $100 cash and a $50 WEC Gift Card, Alfano smiled, “Abby Strohmeyer – she’s the best!”
$20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open
- Page One, Jennifer Alfano – 89 | 91 | 180
- Norderney, Belynda Bond – 90 | 88 | 178
- Corlando 49, Melissa Donnelly – 84 | 90 | 174
- Improv, Melissa Donnelly – 83 | 89 | 172
- Honor, Ashleen Lee – 88 | 83.5 | 171.5
- Santana, Tiffany Lee – 81 | 87 | 168
- Chimney Rock, Hillary Johnson – 82 | 80 | 162
- Chromeo DVE, Morgan Ward – 76 | 85 | 161
- Lonesome Dove, Hillary Johnson – 82 | 77 | 159
- Lincoln VD Breemeersen, Tiffany Lee – 80 | 77 | 157
$20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Non Pro
The Non Pro division of the $20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby saw equally fierce competition with several entries placing well into the eighties, but it was Chelsea Kasper of New Hampshire and her own Miss Mo that topped the class.
Kasper and Miss Mo, a twelve year old Holsteiner mare, have been competing in the Hunters together for about two years, taking top placings in the Amateur Owner 3’6″ Hunters. This evening, the pair looked like veteran Hunter Derby competitors, riding the course and taking the 3’5″ options with ease. The pair earned an 87 in the first round, the highest score in the first round of the Non Pro Derby. Kasper and the bay mare returned for the handy round and rode the inside turns with confidence, nailing each distance and jumping the fences with finesse. The pair earned an 88 in the second round, bring their two round total to 175 to win the class.
Lindsey Ward also stood out in the Non Pro Derby aboard her own Carpedi. The pair are regulars in the Amateur Owner Hunters and were well-prepared for tonight’s class. Ward and the seven year old Holsteiner gelding earned scores of 78 and 90 for a total of 168, setting them in second place.
Another stand-out competitor in the Non Pro Derby was Traci Ribeiro and Kalanov Equestrian’s Abudabi. This February, Ribeiro and Abudabi won the $2,000 Non Pro Hunter Derby 2’6″ and the pair have moved up to the 3′ divisions. Ribeiro and the ten year old Warmblood gelding rode two fantastic rounds today for a pair of 83 scores, bringing their two round total to 166 for third place.
Chelsea Kasper stuck around after the awards presentation to chat with us ringside about her win. “I was super nervous. This is the first really big Derby we’ve ever done. We’re here from New Hampshire; Joe Forest brought us out here. It’s just been great.”
Kasper gave us a little background on her riding career, “I’ve actually done the Jumpers most of my riding career and just got into the Hunters two years ago with this horse. She’s been absolutely wonderful. She’s such a special horse; she’s amazing. This is our first big Derby win.”
When asked about Miss Mo’s personality, Kasper responded, “She is sweet as can be. Everybody loves her. She always has her little ears pricked forward when you see her. Don’t offend her, because she does not like that, but as long as you’re good to her she’s great to you.”
I’m here with my Mom (Diana). Dusty Dog Horse Farm.
Kasper also added, “Thank you so much to WEC. It’s a beautiful facility. We’re really thankful to be here.”
$20,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Non Pro
- Miss Mo, Chelsea Kasper – 87 | 88 | 175
- Carpedi, Lindsey Ward – 78 | 90 | 168
- Abudabi, Traci Ribeiro – 83 | 83 | 166
- No Introduction, Christopher Coberley – 74 | 89 | 163
- Colato Sabata, Emily Reder – 80 | 82 | 162
- Houdini M, Sabra Molter – 79 | 77 | 156
- Cracker Jack, Josephine Rose – 82 | 66 | 148
- The Great Gatsby, Haylee Moore – 71 | 70 | 141
- Cat Daddy, Elizabeth Solomon – 69 | 69 | 138
- Fraziskaner, Monica Samuels – 78.5 | 54 | 132.5