Wilmington, Ohio – Anna Schierholz continued her winning ways in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 8, this time with her dearest Constellation (Cellestial).
Schierholz earned back-to-back derby wins during her most recent trip to WEC – Wilmington, but the win with Constellation was even more special to the professional of Clouds End Farm.
“I imported him as a four-year-old and he has been with me for six and a half years which has been incredibly special. I trained him as a baby green horse all the way up to the 3’6” greens, and now as a performance horse that just does the derbies. My husband is so supportive and the best partner I could ever ask for. He has been a gem to agreeing to keep this horse despite lots of interest,” said Schierholz.
Schierholz was hopeful about Joe Carnicom’s (USA) first round track, “I was actually really excited to jump this course when I saw it on the course board this morning. I loved the sweeping bending lines, and I thought it was friendly enough, but it posed enough questions to make it a competitive class.”
The duo earned a leading first round score of 92, setting Schierholz up for the win that she has been waiting for with her 11-year-old KWPN gelding.
“I had two classes where I walked in thinking I was going to be the winner on him, and either came out on my own two feet or had major errors,” laughed Schierholz. “I believe in him above all else and that was just bad luck. We lived to fight another day and that was never a fault in his character! It has been a triumphant feeling to be back in the tack and be back in the winner’s circle.”
A picture-perfect handy round earned a 91 from the judges and a two-round total of 183 for Schierholz’s third derby win of the series.
‘Riggs’ [Constellation] is much more than just a partner in the ring to Schierholz, “It means so much to win with him. He is my emotional support animal. He lives in my backyard, and I can see him from my bedroom window. He is very special to me.”
$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Constellation, Anna Schierholz, Anna Schierholz | 92 | 91 | 183
2 Incredible, Kelsey Epperson, Pamela Kissman | 91 | 89.5 | 180.5
3 Marco Polo, Elle Taylor, Elle Taylor | 82 | 89 | 171
4 Caius, Izzy Beisel, Harlow Investment Enterprises | 86 | 76 | 162
5 Medallion, Mellisa Donnelly, Kathie Cox | 79.5 | 79 | 158.5
6 The Boy Friend, Jason Berry, David Beisel | 78.5 | 74 | 152.5
7 Mischief Maker, Samantha Rothman, Donna Rothman | 78 | 65 | 143
8 Farao, Kelsey Epperson, Isable Cassar | 70 | 72 | 142
9 Torento, Jamison Lile, Elizabeth Lile | 47 | 86 | 133
10 Finnegan, Shannon Meehan, Allison DeSantis | 79 | 48 | 127
Alisa Berry & On Point Take Top Honors in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby
Alisa Berry returned to WEC – Wilmington with her own, On Point (Cola Zero x Lolita), to best a field of 19 horse-and-rider combinations in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby, marking her third derby win of the 2024 Winter in the Midwest Series.
Berry was thankful for her reliable mount, “Porter is the most straightforward horse that I have had in years, it doesn’t take much to get him to the ring. I usually end up with hard ones and he is not! He is such a blessing to have.”
Berry commended course designer Joe Carnicom (USA) for his appropriate first-round track, where she led the way with an 89.
“The first-round rode really nicely. This week rode a bit differently. It was softer to begin with. It was nice to get two single jumps in before technical stuff came up. I thought for the horses that was really key,” Berry shared.
Entering for the handy phase with a significant advantage, Berry opted for the safe route around to secure top honors.
“We had talked about jumping the two-stride a bit right to left and making the really tight turn back to the last oxer. It was a long way around. I landed and I chickened out,” laughed Berry. “Everyone else went around, so it was fine to stay out. That was the original plan, but I took two steps after the two-stride and decided I didn’t want to do it!”
With a favorable second-round score of 92 and an overall high score of 181, Berry and her nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding secured the win by nine points.
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results:
1 On Point, Alisa Berry, Alisa Berry | 89 | 92 | 181
2 Subtil, Alexa Bing, Alexa Bing | 82 | 90 | 172
3 Lombard 198, Ashley Garrido, Mary George Gipson | 81 | 83 | 164
4 Pointe Milou, Jacquline Van Meter, Jennifer Boyd | 74.25 | 82 | 156.25
5 Quo Tumus VDF, Caitlyn Grimes, Caitlyn Grimes | 74.5 | 80 | 154.5
6 Lugatti, Nicole Lyvere, Nicole Lyvere | 75 | 78 | 153
7 Cannonball, Ashley Garrido, Ashley Garrido | 77.5 | 75 | 152.5
8 Lapis, Zoey Chambers, Suzanne Chambers | 78 | 73 | 151
9 Quelle Carte, Isabel Greer, Isabel Greer | 70 | 80 | 150
10 Airbender, Lexi Simich, Lexi Simich | 77 | 68 | 145
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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.