Wilmington, Ohio – Greg Crolick was unstoppable amongst a field of 20 in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington with all four of his entered mounts in the top twelve, and Douglas De Riverland (Sunday De Riverland x Presence De Riverland) taking the top spot.
Crolick spoke highly of his new, winning ride, “Doug is a new ride for me. I didn’t know where he was going to go, he did the 3’6” for the first time this week. He went around lovely for me. He is really a pleasant horse to ride and easy to get to the ring. He really shined in the 3’6” and was jumping so well today.”
Coming back with the highest first round score of his four horses, Crolick sat in third with an 88 on Douglas De Riverland.
Crolick commented on his busy night in the R+L Arena “All four of mine tonight are all green horses and a few of them were brand new, so we didn’t know what to expect! We just wanted to have a little bit of fun with them, and I don’t think I have ever had all four make it back for the second round. It is nice to get the young ones a second chance to go back into the ring to perform and learn something. They are all different and I wasn’t sure how it would work out for each one, but the preparation for each is different in the schooling ring and I just tried to make it as simple as possible for them.”
The ten-year-old Selle Francias gelding owned by Addison Mae King flowed effortlessly around the handy track for a score of 90, and a winning total of 178.
Crolick discussed the benefits of World Equestrian Center – Wilmington for his string of top hunters, “WEC is incredibly beneficial for my horses. This year was the first year that I came here the week before Harrisburg, and it really worked out much better for me and more horses. There are a lot of beautiful decorations and jumps here, so when we got to Harrisburg it was no big deal. It gives the young horses great opportunities to jump nice classes. It helps that the weather is perfect here every day!”
$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Douglas De Riverland, Greg Crolick, Addison Mae King | 88 | 90 | 178
2 Corlando 49, Melissa Donnelly, Elizabeth Becker | 89 | 88 | 177
3 Kingsman, Greg Crolick, Rivers Edge | 87.25 | 89 | 176.5
4 Stakkatol 7, Liz Atkins, Anna Lisznianski | 90 | 86 | 176
5 Udefix, Colleen Holton, Colleen Holton | 86 | 87 | 173
6 Sir Higgins, Richard Rinehart, Cline Equestrian | 85 | 84 | 169
7 Jasper, Brandon Gibson, Independence Ranch LLC | 81 | 85 | 166
8 Captain Jack, Greg Crolick, Shaunnah Anderson | 83 | 82 | 165
9 Dalliance, Michaella Gerlacher, Charlotte Kunes | 83.5 | 80 | 163.5
10 TC Gaston, Michaella Gerlacher, Sophie Carlin | 80 | 83 | 163
Alisa Berry & On Point Top the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby at Winter Classic 2
The $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby saw 27 horse-and-athlete pairs compete over Bobby Murphy’s (USA) winter wonderland of a track Friday evening. Alisa Berry ultimately held the lead with her own On Point (Cola Zero x Lolita) to take the win.
The duo had numerous class wins during the 2023 Winter in the Midwest Series and returned in top form with a successful season under their belt.
“He did the 3’3 amateurs all year and ended with a bang. We were thrilled with his final results. We thought it was going to be a building year, but he ended up being really good. He was great at indoors and got some good ribbons. He will move up to the 3’6 this year. I got here last night with the kids and the dogs, and we just wanted to get back in the ring to prepare for tomorrow.”
Berry perfected the first round for a score of 91 and entered as the final pair in the handy phase.
“The courses suited him today. There was the long eight stride to a vertical going away from the gate, so that helps to balance and reset them. The jumps were enough to look at, so it held their eye. The course rode great. The candy cane trot jump was fun. They decorate incredibly here. You can’t beat the facility and the decorations, and the jumps are all beautiful. They all jump a little bit better here and they are just sharper.”
With the top three scores separated by one point, Berry rode her exact plan in the handy to stay on top.
“My horse tends to land on the left lead, so that turn after the long eight was a hard turn. I planned to go around there, but I made a tidy turn to the first jump to compromise. After the verticals, I tried to be really tidy, especially back to the trot jump. It went my way today!”
With a second-round score of 90 and a two-round total of 181, the duo found themselves on top of the leaderboard once again.
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results:
1 On Point, Alisa Berry, Alisa Berry | 91 | 90 | 181
2 Bond, Elizabeth Rinehart, Elizabeth Rinehart | 89 | 91 | 180
3 Sandriano, Jenna Drago, Jenna Drago | 90 | 89 | 179
4 Capitol Hill, Vanessa McCaughley, Vanessa McCaughley | 88 | 88.5 | 176.5
5 Family Affaire, Clarie Mullaly, Judgement Farms LLC | 88.5 | 85.5 | 174
6 Sugar Magnolia, Zakia Kalabani, Zakia Kalabani | 84 | 86 | 170
7 Cooley Stormwater, Haley Buchmiller, Mya Poulos | 81.5 | 81 | 162.5
8 Cinda, Elizabeth Becker, Elizabeth Becker | 76.5 | 78 | 154.5
9 Donatello, Addison Mae King, Addison Mae King | 78 | 76 | 154
10 Espumante, Katarina Kojis, Katarina Kojis | 81 | 71 | 152
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Results can be found at wec.net.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.