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Hunter Derby Friday at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington took over the outdoor main hunter arena for a day of top competition.
Nearly fifty partnerships challenged Bobby Murphy’s tracks during the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3’ Open and the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3’ Non Pro. The well-designed courses featured long approaches, beautiful live-edge wood jumps and an abundance of colorful floral arrangements. Scores soared but none could top Catherine Rinehart and Hero.
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WEC caught up with Catherine to chat about her winning ride. “This is my son’s horse! He’s in California this week at surf camp, so I borrowed him to show! I’ve shown him one other week at WEC Ocala, and he is such a blast. We won our class there, too.”
Her son, Luke Rinehart, typically pilots Hero (Brainpower x Corini W) but Catherine stole the show today, taking top honors in this afternoon’s $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3’ Open. Rinehart and the 10-year-old KWPN gelding navigated a stunning first round, jumping all four high options with ease to earn a score of 91.
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“He jumped the options so well through both rounds. He is such a classic jumper and that is why I wanted him for Luke. He’s just so good for us. I don’t ride very much anymore, but I really enjoy riding this guy.” said Catherine.
Rinehart and Hero completed a fancy handy round to earn a score of 88 from the judges, for a two-round total of 179.
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Melissa Donnelly and Hunter Derby extraordinaire, Corlando 49 (Cartani x Olanda I), delivered their usual stylish performances. The mighty gray gelding floated seamlessly to earn a score of 81 in the first round, followed by a class-topping 93 in the handy, for a combined score of 174 to win second.
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Last week’s $10,000 WEC Hunter Derby 3’ Open winners, Udefix and Colleen Holton turned out two nice rides for scores of 85, 88 and 173 to finish in third place.
$10,000 WEC Wilmington 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results:
- Hero, Catherine Rhinehart: 91 | 88 | 179
- Corlando 49, Melissa P. Donnelly: 81 | 93 | 174
- Udefix, Colleen Holton: 85 | 88 | 173
- Blush, Christopher Coberley: 87 | 85 | 172
- Decorated Hero, Liz Hutchinson: 83.5 | 86 | 169.5
- MTM Bentley, Allie L. Mcbreen: 83.5 | 80 | 163.5
- Mo Bandit, Melissa Rega: 82 | 80 | 162
- Levidinus, Jonathon Fischetti: 73 | 80 | 153
- KSI Forty, Chloe Johnson: 77 | 68 | 145
- News For You, Christopher Coberley: 80 | 47 | 129
Emma Paul and The Huntsman Dominate the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3’ Non Pro
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Twenty-nine Non Pro contestants tried their hand at Bobby Murphy’s forward track, but it was Emma Paul and Fox Meadow Farm’s The Huntsman who collected top scores to win the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3’ Non Pro.
“I’m so grateful to Polly Howard for allowing me to ride this guy. He is a very good boy! He was so attentive to me, did everything I asked of him, and he helped me in a few spots for sure,” mentioned Emma.
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Drawing an early ride, Paul and the glistening chestnut gelding were sure to put on a show. The pair impressed the judges, notching a first-round score of 90, making the top twelve cut-off to secure a spot in the handy round.
Later returning for the second round, Paul and The Huntsman seized their first-place fate, riding exceptionally to earn an 83 score, combined to 173 for the first-place ribbon.
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Taking home the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3’ Non Pro second place award was Kiera Phlipot and her own Red Roc (Roc USA x Rhea). Just barely reaching the cut-off in round one with a score of 79, Phlipot and the talented gelding reached monumental heights in the second round. Their pair graciously marked a 91, making a leaderboard comeback to notch second place honors.
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First place rider Emma Paul and her own Full Count rounded out the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3’ Non Pro top three with scores of 82 and 86 for a combined 168 for a third-place finish.
$10,000 WEC Hunter Derby 3’ Non Pro Results:
- The Huntsman, Emma Paul: 90 | 83 | 173
- Red Roc, Kiera Phlipot: 79 | 91 | 170
- Full Count, Emma Paul: 82 | 86 | 168
- Cinda, Elizabeth Becker: 85 | 80.5 | 165.5
- Cotentin Des Roques, Autumn Bradbury: 83 | 82 | 165
- Campari, Marie Lafond: 81 | 79 | 160
- Soho, Daphne Meadows; 88 | 64 | 152
- Incanto, Kristen Jones: 84 | 62 | 146
- Trusted, Claire Leckow: 84 | 55 | 139
- Donatello, Addison Mae King: 81 | 50 | 131