Ocala, FL – Hunter 1 welcomed nearly 90 stunning hunter combinations to vie for the top prize in the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby and $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Dean Rheinheimer crafted the derby tracks that allowed athletes to show off their horse’s adjustability and brilliance.
In the final hunter derby of the day, Daniel Geitner secured his second win this time aboard Laura Cramer’s Easy Money (Fairbanks x Stutbuch) in the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby.
Geitner piloted the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding to an effortless first round for a score of 90.
The pair returned for the handy sitting in fourth. Geitner had some points to make up, so he knew he was going to have to take a few risks. “There was an inside turn from one to two that I’ve done in the 3’ derby, it was really tight, and it was even more snug in the big derby. I had ground to make up but he’s such a nice horse, I was able to get it done. Then the rest of the course just flowed.”
The judges rewarded the pair with a high score of 94 for an overall score of 185 to take home the lion’s share of the prize money.
Geitner has been riding Easy Money for several years now. “His owner lives in South Florida during the winter, and he comes with me to show,” Geitner shared. “It’s funny, I didn’t know Laura was here today until I was walking out of the ring after the awards ceremony. She always jokes and says if he wins the derby, she gets to stay in The Equestrian Hotel that night, but if not, she has to drive home,” laughed Geitner.
$20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results:
1 Easy Money, Daniel Geitner, Laura Cramer: 91 | 94 | 185
2 In The Know, Samantha Schaefer, Madeline Schaefer: 93 | 91.5 | 184.5
3 Malibu Ken, Tiffany Cambria, Kym K Smith: 94 | 90.25 | 184.25
4 Golden Ticket, Addison McQuaker, Addison McQuaker: 92 | 92 | 184
5 Coltrane, Daniel Geitner, Magnolia Lane Stables, LLC: 90 | 93 | 183
6 Figure of Speech, Guy Cambria, Amy Squier Perez: 87.5 | 91 | 178.5
7 Cartel, Jeffrey Ayers, Jeffrey Ayers: 88 | 90 | 178
8 Story Hour, Daniel Geitner, Double E, LLC: 87.25 | 88 | 175.25
9 Oh Hello, Jake Evans, Make A Splash, LLC: 85 | 87 | 172
10 E Di Luca, Madison Stewart, Reynolds Cole: 86 | 81 | 167
Daniel Geitner and Even Steven Take the Lead in $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby
In the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, Daniel Geitner secured the top position aboard Margaret Russell’s Even Steven (Embracee x Gulf Star), after navigating a challenging handy track that wowed the judges.
The 10-year-old Warmblood gelding delivered a flawless first round with Geitner in the irons, earning a solid score of 89.
Geitner knew that the handy was where Even Steven would shine, “He loves the handies. He’s small, rideable and can make the turns so easily. I think we were the only ones to try the real inside turn to the birch option. He does it so easy and I think he really enjoys it.”
Following a textbook handy round, the pair received an impressive score of 94, culminating in an overall score of 183 to secure the win.
“I have had him for a couple of years now. We did the pre greens, then the first years, and we came in the summer and did a few derbies. I think he may have won two,” shared Geitner. “He will continue to do more of these derbies, and we will start to do a bit of the second years, but the idea is to build him up to the big derby by the end of the circuit.”
$15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Even Steven, Daniel Geitner, Margaret Russell: 89 | 94 | 183
2 Jagerbomb, Hunter Holloway, Double E, LLC: 92 | 90.5 | 182.5
3 Not To Worry, Tiffany Cambria, Sabrina Hellman: 90 | 92 | 182
4 Mr. Untouchable, Hunter Holloway, Cane Creek LLC: 90.5 | 89 | 179.5
5 Blue Monday, Hillary Johnson, Stephanie Battershall: 86 | 88 | 174
6 Carousel, Daniel Geitner, Ashley Nuedorff: 89.5 | 82 | 171.5
7 Debonair, Jennifer Tate, Barbara Kravetz: 87 | 84 | 171
8 Jasper, Brandon Gibson, Independence Ranch LLC: 84 | 86 | 170
9 Mai Star, Megan Young, Jane Baysore: 85.5 | 74 | 159.5
10 Chivalrous, Jennfier Jones, Firstlee Farm: 91 | 48 | 139
Grace Loughlin and Briljant Z Are Brilliant in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby
Forty-two talented junior and amateur athletes put forth their best efforts in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby, but it was Grace Loughlin that received two impressive scores in the 90s aboard Loughlin Sport Horses’ Briljant Z (Balougran Z x Robijn) to gallop away with the win.
Loughlin and the 16-year-old Warmblood gelding found a seamless first round track, jumping all four high options for a score of 90.
Reflecting on the round, Loughlin expressed, “The first round was lovely. The only thing I might have adjusted was catching the gap to the oxer on the diagonal, but ‘Billy’ covered it up beautifully.”
Heading into the handy round in third place, Loughlin aimed for smoothness and precision. “I wanted to be as smooth and slick as possible. He tends to be a bit bright in the handy, so I focused on staying calm and guiding him gently.”
Loughlin achieved her highest-ever score of 95 in the handy round, securing a two-round total of 185 for the win.
Loughlin spoke about her partnership with the talented gelding, “I have had Billy for two years now. He likes his job and we’ve really clicked in the past year. I did my first indoors on him, he’s just been an amazing horse for me.”
$15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Results:
1 Briljant Z, Grace Loughlin, Loughlin Sport Horses: 90 | 95 | 185
2 Viscolano, Katalena Prusso, Falcon Ridge Stables: 91 | 93 | 184
3 Banks Mill, Lillian Geitner, Daniel Geitner: 92 | 89 | 181
4 Griffin, Kellen Sullivan, Two Jacks Farm LLC: 87 | 88 | 175
5 Chablis 162, Khloe McSwain, Khloe McSwain: 84.5 | 82 | 166.5
6 Constellation Rio Z, Campbell Clement, KS Sporthorses, LLC: 86 | 74 | 160
7 Spotlight, Khloe McSwain, Khloe McSwain: 83 | 72 | 155
8 Westley, Laura Cho, Laura Cho: 85 | 69 | 154
9 Remember Romance, Taylor Matalon, Matalon Equestrian LLC: 84.25 | 66 | 150.25
10 Asier S, Judianne Slish, Judianne Slish: 83.5 | 64 | 147.5
‘THE STYLE OF RIDING AWARD’
Before the start of the handy round in the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, Bill Rube presented the prestigious Style of Riding Award to Tiffany Cambria 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. Cambria 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.
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