Ocala, FL – The final Hunter Derby Friday of 2024 brought a stunning lineup of Hunters to the WEC Stadium once again, featuring three derbies: the $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, and the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Tucker Williams designed the flowing courses where horses showcased their style.
Erica Quinn, from Wellington, Florida, claimed victory aboard Redfield Farm’s Magic In The Making (Diamant De Semilly x Darcy De Coraimont) after delivering two beautiful performances. Quinn rode the eight-year-old Selle Francais gelding to a strong first-round score of 87.
“I can’t say enough good things about this horse. He’s scopey, brave, and has a wonderful personality. He just covers the ground effortlessly, and is such a joy to ride,” Quinn expressed. “We got him in May, but Augusta Iwasaki usually shows him, but while she’s in college, I’m lucky enough to ride him here in the derby.”
Returning for the handy round sitting in second place, Quinn utilized the gelding’s rideability to navigate a tight inside turn, achieving a score of 90 and an overall total of 177 for the win.
“He was amazing today, doing everything I asked of him,” Quinn continued. “I love competing in the Stadium—it’s honestly the best venue. It’s such a fun ring to ride in, and I can’t say enough nice things about it.”
$12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results
Jennifer Jones and Lincoln Earn Second Consecutive Victory in the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby
Jennifer Jones once again claimed victory in the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, riding Lincoln (Navajo Van’t Vianahof x Cartagena Indias Ecaussinnes), owned by Elle Gibbs.
Jones is coming off a one-two finish in last week’s Open Derby, where she won aboard Lincoln and took second place with Copper Canyon. Her momentum continued today with another standout performance.
She piloted Lincoln to a stellar first round, earning a score of 92. “Honestly, the course was more suited for a seasoned horse, not so much a green horse. They had some tricky angles, and jumps one through seven were on a right turn, so if you landed left, it just wasn’t as smooth. But Lincoln jumped very well,” Jones said.
Returning for the handy round on top, Jones and seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding delivered another strong performance, earning another score of 92. “The handy was nice and fun,” she shared. “He explodes over them when they are a little bigger and a bit wider, and he loves anything with a little bit of an atmosphere. He needs to feel like it’s a special occasion.”
With an overall score of 183, Jones and Lincoln secured the win once again.
$10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results
Memorable Last Hoorah for Ava Campbell and Cellini in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby
In the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby, Ava Campbell had a memorable last hoorah with Brady Mitchell’s Cellini.
Campbell and Cellini delivered a smooth first round, taking all four high options for an impressive score of 84. Cellini, a 12-year-old Warmblood gelding, has been a significant part of Campbell’s junior career. “We got him from Germany about four years ago,” Campbell shared. “He’s been with me through most of my junior career and has watched me grow up. This is our last year together, so this win is really special for us.”
Heading into the handy round, Campbell executed a well-thought-out strategy. “I wanted to win,” she admitted. “My plan was to hand-gallop to the first jump, slice it for a good rollback, and then keep a nice rhythm. I turned inside when I could and just let the rest flow naturally.”
Their efforts paid off, earning another score of 84 in the handy round for a two-round total of 168, securing the top spot on the leaderboard.
Reflecting on their partnership, Campbell expressed her gratitude for Cellini. “He always gives me his heart and tries his best. This summer, we were third overall at Junior Hunter Finals and second in a $50,000 Hunter Derby at home. He usually competes in bigger classes, but since I haven’t shown in a while, it was amazing to come in here and have such a great experience with him.”