Wilmington, Ohio – The R+L Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington was decorated as a winter wonderland for a group of 27 esteemed hunter athletes for the $15,000 Ohio State Galbreath Equine Center USHJA National Open Hunter Derby with tracks designed by Bobby Murphy.
Ultimately, the arena went silent for Greg Crolick and his superstar addition to the barn, Kingweis WV (Golden Star WV x Mayweis), owned by Amy Mulrenin.
Since his career switch over the summer, Kingweis WV has done nothing but impress with his impeccable jumping style.
Crolick spoke enthusiastically of his talent, “He is hopefully going to be a superstar! He is really special. We just got him at the end of July in Traverse City. He was in the jumper ring and I thought he could become a really nice hunter.”
“He did two shows and then went to Capital Challenge and got beautiful ribbons there. It has been a little bit of development getting him used to the hunter ring but he is on a great trajectory. I hope he will be a future derby horse. I see him being a great contender at Derby Finals,” Crolick shared.
The duo jumped to a first-round score of 94, earning a significant lead moving onto the handy.
The nine-year-old AES gelding took the smooth track around, but impressed with his scope, “If I start turning in too tight too quickly, he gets a little too keen,” said Crolick. “So, it is just about keeping a nice rhythm, staying on a nice pace and making everything really pleasant for him.”
Landing another 94, the duo secured a ten-point lead to win the class with a 188.
$15,000 OSU Galbreath Equine USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Kingweis WV, Greg Crolick, Amy Mulrenin | 94 | 94 | 188
2 Lerskovs Balrano, Molly Mcadow, Karin Martin | 88 | 90 | 178
3 Unbreakable Z, Joshua Graves, John Puckett | 89 | 88 | 177
4 Ragazzo Carino, Joshua Graves, Kim Puckett | 85 | 91 | 176
5 Protégé, Greg Crolick, Kate Marie Davis | 80 | 83 | 163
6 Cooper, Emily Corkhill, Decker Equigroup LLC | 87.5 | 74 | 161.5
7 Concise, Morgan Munz, Stella Cross | 79 | 81 | 160
8 Collin FZ Z, Rachel Malloch-Enos, Mary Anne Heino | 77 | 82 | 159
9 MF Starboy, Sarah Duhon, Michael Britt-Leon | 82 | 76 | 158
10 Q, Joshua Graves, Grace Griffin | 75 | 74 | 149
Lizzie Rinehart & Bond Prevail in $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby
Twenty-one horse-and-rider combinations conquered the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby at WEC – Wilmington Winter Classic 3, but it was Lizzie Rinehart who returned with her winningest, Bond (Clarimo), to add another derby win to her record.
After a slight celebration following the trot jump in last week’s class Rinehart, “still felt really confident walking in today. I just wanted to have fun!”
“He gives me so much confidence in the ring and I have had him for a long time now. He just got a little excited last week and squealed,” Rinehart laughed.
In typical fashion, the 12-year-old Warmblood gelding secured a first-round score of 94 to walk into the handy phase in the lead.
“Based on everyone’s scores, I thought they were rewarding people for solid rounds rather than the turns. I was winning by two points, so I just wanted to go in and lay down a smooth round,” Rinehart shared.
Another 94 in the second round and a two-round total of 188 earned victory by an eight-point lead.
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results:
1 Bond, Elizabeth Rinehart, Elizabeth Rinehart | 94 | 94 | 188
2 Capitol Hill, Vanessa McCaughley, Vanessa McCaughley | 92 | 88 | 180
3 Maui, Sophia Tabasso, Sophia Tabasso | 90 | 86 | 176
4 Captain Jack, Shaunnah Anderson, Shaunnah Anderson | 84 | 90 | 174
5 Cornus Alba D’or, Stacey Friend, Stacey Friend | 82 | 89 | 171
6 Cassiopeia Cellestin, Emerson Nolte, Loughlin Sport Horses | 73 | 87 | 160
7 Unlimited, Isabella Fabrizi, Fabrizi Equine LLC | 71.5 | 84 | 155.5
8 Cabochon, Sophie Carlin, Sophie Carlin | 74 | 74 | 148
9 Reposado, Eleanor Skilken, Eleanor Skilken | 76 | 71.5 | 147.5
10 Layka, Tess Lee, Tess Lee | 75 | 54 | 126