Ocala, FL – Nearly 100 impressive hunters convened at Hunter 1 for the fifth Hunter Derby Friday during the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. The four 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, the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior Hunter Derby, and $15,000 USHJA National 3′ Amateur Hunter Derby, offered stunning natural tracks built by Doug Russell, allowing athletes to showcase their horses’ rideability and brilliance.
Daniel Geitner demonstrated his dominance once again, clinching his third consecutive victory in the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby. This time, Geitner rode Donald Stewart’s Story Hour (Casalico x Antonia) to the win. Geitner not only claimed the top spot in the 3’6’-3’9” Derby but also secured wins in the 3’ Open Derby earlier in the day and the $15,000 THIS 1.40m Jumper Classic in the afternoon.
“It’s good horses, we are just along for the ride,” shared Geitner. “Don Stewart has a string of fantastic horses, when you have quality like that, the job is just easy. Story Hour is a second-year horse. He’s such a talent. He’s old school, he looks like a thoroughbred and goes like a thoroughbred, he’s my type of horse.”
Geitner guided the eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding to an exceptional first-round score of 92. Although Geitner was in the lead returning for the handy, he knew he needed to push the limits, “The handy had some tight turns. When Tiffany [Cambria] went in and had a great score, I knew I was going to have to make all the turns.”
Navigating the handy track with finesse, the pair earned a remarkable score of 94, culminating in a two-round total of 186 for the win.
“I put a little more pressure on him in the handy, and he held it all together. This is where you can tell he’s really grown up. He was on it and followed me right through the turns. I was so impressed with him,” shared Geitner.
$20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results:
1 Story Hour, Daniel Geitner, Donald Stewart: 92 | 94 | 186
2 Malibu Ken, Tiffany Cambria, Kym Kmith: 90 | 90 | 180
3 Easy Money, Daniel Geitner, Laura Cramer: 87 | 92 | 179
4 Cataumet, Lauren Schweppe, Cynthia Boudreau: 84 | 84 | 168
5 MTM Coco, Steven Saumell, Steven Saumell: 82 | 82 | 164
6 Debonair, Jennifer Tate, Barbara Kravetz: 79 | 77 | 156
7 Red Roc, Kiera Phlipot, Keira Phlipot: 76 | 72 | 148
8 Isle Royale, Rebecca Brady, Deborah Wroblewski: 68 | 75.5 | 143.5
9 Reddington, Cooper Dean, Tracy Treace: 64 | 79 | 143
10 CMS Lambrusco, Riley Babb, Jai Smith Rezac: 51 | 89 | 140
Daniel Geitner Lands First and Second in the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby
In the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, horses were showcasing their style, but it was Daniel Geitner who once again caught the judges’ eye, securing the top spot aboard Robusto BC (Toulon x Kara BC), owned by Donald Stewart, and claiming second place with Even Steven, owned by Margaret Russell.
This marked Geitner’s first time riding Robusto BC, and he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, “I was lucky to get the ride on this horse. Don bought him yesterday. Don and I saw him go two or three weeks ago with Lizzy Traband, and we both said what a nice horse he was. And of course, Don will walk up to anybody and ask if something is for sale, and he walked right over. I didn’t even know he bought him until this morning,” Geitner chuckled.
“He’s a lovely horse. We didn’t really know what to expect because no one from Don’s barn has shown him yet. He just went in there and was amazing in the first round. Then coming back for the handy, Don just said to give it a try, and I did, and it was pretty spectacular.”
The duo earned an impressive first-round score of 92 and a stellar handy score of 94, totaling 186 for the victory.
Geitner expressed his excitement for the future of the eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, “It’s pretty neat for him to just go in there and be that good. He doesn’t know us, we don’t know him, but he just went in there and did an amazing job. I am really excited to see what the future holds for him. I think he will be an amazing big derby horse and a great junior hunter.”
Geitner continued his success by securing second place with Even Steven, achieving a first-round score of 89 and a second-round score of 92, resulting in an overall score of 181.
$15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Robusto BS, Daniel Geitner, Donald Stewart: 92 | 94 | 186
2 Even Steven, Daniel Geitner, Margaret Russell: 89 | 92 | 181
3 Copper Canyon, Jennifer Jones, Adele Einhorn: 88 | 90 | 178
4 Bodhi, Helen Goddard, Ellen Deckoff: 90 | 87 | 177
5 Carano, Robin Rost Brown, Alexandra Maletta: 83.5 | 89 | 172.5
6 Apricot Lane, Daniel Geitner, Nancy McBrayer: 86 | 86 | 172
7 Not To Worry, Tiffany Cambria, Sabrina Hellman: 85 | 85.5 | 170.5
8 Mai Star, Megan Young, Jane Baysore: 84 | 82 | 166
9 Cha Ching HPF, Amber Viera, Fiona Fitzgerald: 81.5 | 81 | 162.5
10 PS Unforgettable, Jenny Miller, PS Riverstone: 81.75 | 70 | 151.75
Abigail Sapp and Isabel Harbour Take Victories in $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby
With an impressive field of 55 junior and amateur athletes entered in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby, the class was split into a junior section and amateur section.
$15,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior Hunter Derby
In the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior Hunter Derby, Abigail Sapp emerged victorious after besting a field of 28 other junior competitors with Brick City Equestrian LLC’s Cara Z (Calvino Z x Amber Z).
Sapp guided the 12-year-old Zangersheide mare to a superb first round, earning a commendable score of 84.5. Reflecting on her partnership with Cara Z, Sapp shared, “I have had her for four years, but this is our first real derby. She takes a lot of prep, but she’s always really good and helps me out.”
Returning for the handy round with ground to cover, Sapp strategized with her trainer and team, “There were a lot of inside turns, so my plan was to be very handy. I had a really good group to help me plan my course, and it worked out really well.”
Sapp piloted Cara Z to another flawless round, jumping all four high options in stunning form, resulting in an impressive score of 89 and a two-round total of 173.5 for the well-deserved victory.
$15,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior Hunter Derby Results:
1 Cara Z, Abigail Sapp, Brick City Equestrian LLC: 84.5 | 89 | 173.5
2 Semi-Automatic C, Taylor Matalon, Matalon Equestrian LLC: 87 | 86 | 173
3 Jagerbomb, Isabelle Ehman, Donald Stewart: 84 | 87 | 171
4 Viscolano, Katalena Prusso, Falcon Ridge Stables: 83.5 | 84 | 167.5
5 Square Won, Madison Stewart, Balmoral: 86 | 80 | 166
6 I Think I Can, Lola Bacardi, Redfield Farm, 82 | 81 | 163
7 MTM Scrabble, Sunshine Buchanan, Olivia Growcock: 83 | 71 | 154
8 Correndo, Elizabeth De Meric, Shadow Ridge Farm: 82.5 | 67 | 149.5
9 Casalletto WW, McKayla Brombach, Daniel Bedoya: 84.25 | 64 | 148.25
10 Banks Mill, Lillian Geitner, Lillian Geitner: 92 | 49 | 141
$15,000 USHJA National 3’ Amateur Hunter Derby
Isabel Harbour made her return to the derby ring this winter circuit a winning one. Piloting IMH Equine LLC’s, Fitz, she delivered two outstanding rounds, earning consistent scores from the judges in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Amateur Hunter Derby.
Fitz, a seasoned derby horse boasting a lengthy list of victories at World Equestrian Center – Ocala with Harbour in the irons, resumed their winning ways. The duo commenced with a solid first-round score of 88.5.
Harbour, known for enjoying challenging handy tracks, found the course perfectly suited for the agile 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. “I looked at the course this morning and knew it was going to be a good one. I didn’t even have to think about turning, and he was just already doing it,” she remarked.
Navigating their way through the twisty handy track, the pair secured a score of 88, culminating in an overall score of 176.5 for the victory.
Harbour is thrilled to be back at World Equestrian Center – Ocala and is looking forward to showing in the WEC Grand Arena next week for World Champion Hunter Riders (WCHR) week, “I am so happy to be back. I planned out my show schedule, so I am here for WCHR. I think it’s amazing that WEC has two WCHR weeks this year. It’s a great opportunity for everybody.”
$15,000 USHJA National Amateur Hunter Derby Results:
1 Fitz, Isabel Harbour, IMH Equine, LLC: 88.5 | 88 | 176.5
2 Briljant Z, Grace Loughlin, Loughlin Sport Horses: 86 | 89 | 175
3 Tangelina, Cara Garito, Cara Garito: 89 | 84.5 | 173.5
4 Hideaway, Cece Williamson, Cece Williamson: 88 | 85 | 173
5 Colando, Steven Saumell, Steven Saumell: 85 | 86 | 171
6 Nabisco, Elise Iafrate, Elise Iafrate: 81 | 82 | 163
7 Brigadier, Mary Barben, Mary Barben: 87 | 74 | 161
8 Zest, Ann Marie Cowdrey, Anne Marie Cowdrey: 84.5 | 76 | 160.5
9 Limitless, Stephanie King, Stephanie King: 80 | 79 | 159
10 Agave, Isabel Harbour, IMH Equine, LLC: 84 | 73 | 157
‘THE STYLE OF RIDING AWARD’
Before the start of the handy round in the $15,000 USHJA National 3′ Amateur Hunter Derby, Bill Rube presented the prestigious Style of Riding Award to Cara Garito 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. Garito 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.
A limited number of weekly stalls remain for the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series, book your stall today!
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