Ocala, FL – The second Hunter Derby Friday of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala showcased the talent of nearly 100 stunning hunters in the WEC Stadium. Tucker Williams laid the flowing tracks for three hunter derbies: the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, and the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. The picturesque courses, adorned with logs, hedge walls and beautiful new obstacles, provided the perfect stage for all horses to flaunt their jumping style.
Amanda Steege secured her second victory of the day in the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby aboard Lafitte De Muze, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Darco x Everlychin De La Pomme.
Lafitte De Muze, guided by Steege, earned a commendable first round score of 94 from the judges.
Highlighting the special bond with her longtime partner Lafitte De Muze, Steege shared a new training approach that has elevated their partnership further, “During his break after Harrisburg, I felt like he was bored. I got an idea from another person to do some bridleless training with him. After a couple of weeks, I was able to take the bridle off and walk, trot, canter, extend, collect, and do lead changes. It was a great practice for us. It kept him mentally stimulated without overexerting his body. I believe it furthered our bond and our partnership, and now I feel like I can ride him even better.”
Applying the honed skills from their training, Steege and Lafitte De Muze delivered another impressive round in the handy, earning a consistent score of 94.
“It was funny; the handy was actually pretty similar to the handy track from this morning’s derby, but we all made it much more difficult,” she laughed. “Right from the start, everyone went inside from the green oxer to the double combination. It was challenging, and the two-stride was a bit long. I was thrilled with him. Every day I get to show him feels like a blessing.”
$20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results:
1 Lafitte De Muze, Amanda Steege, Cheryl Olsten: 94 | 94 | 188
2 In The Know, Samantha Schaefer, Madeline Schaefer: 91 | 92 | 183
3 Easy Money, Daniel Geitner, Laura Cramer: 85.5 | 90 | 175.5
4 Cahla Cool, Megan Wexler, Megan Wexler: 85 | 89 | 174
5 Golden Ticket, Addison McQuaker, Addison McQuaker: 87.5 | 83.25 | 170.75
6 Chacco Ricco, Erika Moore, Noble Steeds LLC: 82 | 87.5 | 169.5
7 Coltrane, Daniel Geitner, Magnolia Lane Stables, LLC: 88 | 81.25 | 169.25
8 Cartel, Jeffrey Ayers, Jeffrey Ayers: 81 | 88 | 169
9 Malibu Ken, Tiffany Cambria, Kym K Smith: 86 | 82 | 168
10 MTM Ahoy, Dorothy Douglas, Nina Koloseike: 84 | 83 | 167
Amanda Steege and Tangelina Land the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby
Despite the slight rain, this morning’s competition remained spirited as top hunter professionals showcased their skills in the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby. Amanda Steege kicked off the day on a triumphant note, claiming victory aboard aboard Cara Garito’s Tangelina (Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve x Lucienne).
Steege discovered the promising young mare two winter circuits ago. “I watched Samantha Wolfram ride around this adorable bay mare with a white face. I had never seen the horse before, but she got a 93 in the first round and I was so impressed. In-between rounds I went on Facebook and looked her up. I messaged her and asked if the horse was for sale, she said yes and the next day I brought an amateur client of mine to try her. Then we bought her!”
The eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare impressed once again, securing a first round score of 92 from the judges.
Returning for the handy round in the lead, Steege followed a similar path as her competitors, “Almost everyone did the same track. You could go inside to the first jump, and there was some discussion between us riders if you could go inside after the green oxer to the double, but everyone opted to go around. I decided it was a great track to show off a nice gallop. I wanted to be prompt and show pace.”
Executing a seamless track, Steege and Tangelina received a top score of 95 for an overall total of 187 for a well-deserved victory.
$15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Tangelina, Amanda Steege, Cara Garito: 92 | 95 | 187
2 Shameless, Josh Dolan, Kim Domenicone: 90 | 93 | 183
3 Lincoln, Jennifer Jones, Elle Gibbs: 85 | 94.25 | 179.25
4 Signature, Josh Dolan, Julie Dodd: 87 | 92 | 179
5 Eldoret, Jake Evans, Karen Redding: 86 | 87 | 173
6 Inspiration, Clair Kellner, Mindy Carreja: 82 | 86 | 168
7 Blue Monday, Hillary Johnson, Stephanie Battershall: 88 | 79 | 167
8 Lavish, Hannah Matts, Phyllis Harlow: 82.25 | 84.25 | 166.5
9 Grimoire D’elphen, Brandon Gibson, The Grimoire Group: 84 | 67 | 151
10 Cowley B, Abigail Russo, Maurah Burkholder: 82.3 | 59 | 141.3
Augusta Iwasaki and Small Safari Score $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Win
Forty-one junior and amateur athletes vied for the top prize in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby, but it was Augusta Iwasaki who emerged victorious, steering her own Small Safari (Vigo D Arsoulilles x Chellana MHZ) to the top of the leaderboard.
Iwasaki piloted the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare to foot-perfect track for a score of 92. The big arena was no match for the scopey mare, “This is her first time in the stadium. She is very new to the hunter ring, so we opted to do the smaller derby rather than the 3’6”-3’9” one because she’s still very green, but she felt great out there today.”
Heading into the handy round as the frontrunner, Iwasaki aimed to provide another positive experience for Small Safari, “The ring is already impressive enough, so I wanted to just be smooth and not do anything too abrupt. I like to be very handy, and sometimes I have to remind myself to be a bit more conservative, so she doesn’t get too lit up,” laughed Iwasaki. “She was great, and I had so much fun out there.”
Securing another outstanding score of 94 in the handy round and a two-round total of 186, Iwasaki and Small Safari clinched the top prize.
$15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Results:
1 Small Safari, Augusta Iwasaki, Iwasaki & Reilly: 92 | 94 | 186
2 Banks Mill, Lillian Geitner, Daniel Geitner: 87.25 | 92 | 179.25
3 Spectacular, Sarah Entzian, Sarah Entzian: 90 | 88 | 178
4 Hideaway, Cece Williamson, Cece Williamson: 84 | 90 | 174
5 Condor, Isabelle Song, Robin Felton: 89 | 84 | 173
6 Semi-Automatic C, Taylor Matalon, Matalon Equestrian LLC: 80 | 89 | 169
7 Calvados, Laura Cho, Laura Cho: 75 | 87 | 162
8 Remember Romance, Taylor Matalon, Matalon Equestrian LLC: 74 | 86.25 | 160.25
9 Checkpoint Charlie, Rory Caskey, Nourah Caskey: 78 | 82 | 160
10 Kantol’s Boy, Siena Salafia, Siena Salafia: 77.5 | 81 | 158.5
‘The Style of Riding Award’
Before the start of the handy round in the $15,000 USHJA National 3′ Jr/Am Hunter Derby, Bill Rube presented the prestigious Style of Riding Award to Lillian Geitner for her classic style and her sportsmanship. The recipient serves as a role model for preserving the integrity and tradition of equestrian sport. “This award is very special to me because the recipient of this award pays it forward both in and out of the show ring,” says Rube. Geitner received an elegant duffel bag and wore a white rose corsage on her lapel throughout the handy round to signify her achievement.
Spectators are welcome! From now until March 24, 2024, experience the thrill of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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