Wilmington, Ohio – Winter Classic 5 at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington was full of stunning hunters for World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week. Horse-and-rider combinations gathered for the highlight event Friday evening, the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby.
It was a night of firsts as Elizabeth Naber claimed the first win of 2025 aboard Judy Miller’s Toussaint (Chacoon Blue x Zalve) in his first ever National Derby.
“Toussaint is a six-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Judy and Jim Miller. My boss, Peg Seals, imported him! He is an incredibly special young horse that I am showing in the 3’3” Green Hunters this year. He is just as sweet as he is talented and we are so excited for his future,” Naber spoke positively about the young talent.
Jumping a solid effort over Scott Alder’s first round track for a score of 83, the duo returned for the handy sitting in fifth place.
“Scott’s first round tested us with a lot of options in the broken lines. You had to know your horse well. The handy had several tight turns that you could take advantage of. One turn worked nicely for my horse and helped with our high handy score! I had to keep in mind that it was his first derby, so I just wanted him to follow me around nicely and keep it smooth.”
The coming six-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was experienced beyond his years as he tackled the technical handy track with ease. The judges rewarded the pair for their style and consistency in the second round for a score of 90. A winning two-round total of 173 set the scene for a bright future ahead of Naber’s young mount.
Naber commented on her experience at WEC – Wilmington, “We love coming to WEC. Not only is it a great break from the winter weather, but it gives our horses and riders of all levels a good competitive experience with a friendly show atmosphere.”
$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Toussaint, Elizabeth Naber, Judy Ulrich Miller | 83 | 90 | 173
2 Sir Poldi, Christopher Coberley, Emma Williams | 79 | 93 | 172
3 Solana, Kelsey Epperson, Tamara Provost | 85 | 85 | 170
4 Mardi Gras, Kelsey Epperson, Margaret Hackstedde | 91 | 75 | 166
5 Strike, Amelia Mcardle, Old Barrington Sales LLC | 80 | 84 | 164
6 Jaipur, Kat Barkema, Zachary Parks | 78 | 83 | 161
7 Bernard, Kelsey Epperson, Sarah Lothman | 87 | 73.5 | 160.5
8 Elliott, Kelsey Epperson, Danielle Leach | 86 | 71 | 157
9 Sail Away, Christopher Coberley, Lindsay Lyden | 72 | 84 | 156
10 West Lake, Melissa Donnelly, Fawn Lake Farm LLC | 81 | 60 | 141
Rachael Herkowitz & Harmony Notch $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Win
The first Hunter Derby Friday of 2025 at WEC – Wilmington began with 27 entries in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby of Winter Classic 5. Rachael Herkowitz ended up untouchable with her mare, Harmony (Quiran x Romance I), to notch their third derby win together.
Herkowitz shared about her partnership with her scopey mare, “This is our third show year together. We bought her down in Texas and she was initially a jumper. We thought she would want to take a crack at the hunter life, and she has been loving it. She is really great in the derbies. She is a great mare.”
The duo mastered Scott Alder’s technical first-round track, showing off their rideability for a score of 90.
“I love Scott [Alder]! Long bending lines are very challenging in themselves, so I think it was a great way to see the handiness of the horses and the riders managing the strides. It was a lot more challenging than it appeared and I thought it was a great course,” Herkowitz reflected.
The duo maintained their lead throughout the entire class, with Herkowitz admitting with a laugh, ‘I was just thinking, don’t mess up.’ A near perfect handy round earned the 10-year-old Holsteiner mare another 90 for a winning two-round of 180.
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results:
1 Harmony, Rachael Herkowitz, Rachael Herkowitz | 90 | 90 | 180
2 Grandslam ES, Milagros De Jong, October LLC | 88 | 87 | 175
3 Quo Tumus VDF, Caitlyn Grimes, Caitlyn Grimes | 84.5 | 78 | 162.5
4 Curb Service, Luke Rinehart, Don Stewart | 76 | 86 | 162
5 Capitol Hill, Vanessa McCaughley, Vanessa McCaughley | 85 | 76.5 | 161.5
6 Meraki, Amy Krebs, Brittany Kasprack Coleman | 84 | 75 | 159
7 Cosworth, Abigael Musser, Front Row Sporthorses LLC | 87 | 64 | 151
8 MTM Favored, Alexander Adkins, Alexander Adkins | 73 | 76 | 149
9 A La Grino, Katelyn Ziggas, Katelyn Ziggas | 71.5 | 77 | 148.5
10 Bond, Elizabeth Rinehart, Elizabeth Rinehart | 76.5 | 70 | 146.5