Wilmington, Ohio – The $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby was the highlight event of the evening in the R+L Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC), where the top three athletes fought for the leading prize, posting scores just half a point apart.
After a competitive handy round, Jennifer Schwartz rose to the top of the leaderboard with Sarah North’s 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding, Pura Vida.
Having caught the ride just earlier this week, Schwartz didn’t let it stop her from riding the winning handy track.
“Since I don’t know him that well, my initial plan was to go around after the bending line to get to the hedge, but I saw so many of the others make the inside turn,” she shared. “I knew if I wanted a chance to win, I had to make that turn and it actually worked out so nicely. I got down the nine a bit easier that time, so I was slowing down out of the line and the turn came right up.”
Schwartz discussed her thoughts on Bobby Murphy’s well-decorated track, “I thought the first trip rode super smooth. The lines were flowing and I think the end jumps are a really good test for the horses to jump out of the turn. My horse stepped right up in the handy and went around very nicely for me. He is a really nice horse and I was super excited for the opportunity to ride him in the derby.”
Awarded for her consistent trips, scores of 88 and 89.5 for a two-round total of 177.5 ultimately clinched victory.
“This is my favorite horse show of the year. I love that it is the same temperature every day and I always know what to pack,” Schwartz laughed. “I never have to worry about rain or snow. It is so convenient in every way for us.”
$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Pura Vida, Jennifer Schwartz, Sarah North | 88 | 89.5 | 177.5
2 Datejust, Trevor Hawthorne, Omri Abut | 87 | 90 | 177
3 Lerskovs Balrano, Molly Mcadow, Karin Martin | 90 | 86 | 176
4 Unbreakable Z, Joshua Graves, John Puckett | 86.5 | 88 | 174.5
5 Cabochon, Michaella Delgreco, Sophie Carlin | 83 | 87 | 170
6 Pompeii, Molly Mcadow, Karin Martin | 88 | 79 | 167
7 Calvin RW, Michaella Delgreco, Just A Dream Equestrian LLC | 82 | 82 | 164
8 Quillan, Holly Kalso, Ruby Darmantin | 85 | 74 | 159
9 Silenzio Bruno, Holly Kalso, Madison Pape | 74 | 82 | 156
10 Catalin, Spencer Turnblacer, Cindy Bohn | 77 | 72 | 149
Amy Krebs Switches Gears to Earn $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Victory
Thirty-three entries kicked off the first Hunter Derby Friday of the 2025 Winter in the Midwest Series in the R+L Arena at WEC – Wilmington Friday afternoon. Amy Krebs switched gears to ultimately claim victory aboard Brittany Kasprack’s Meraki (Dinken x Sorina H) in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby.
Most consistently winning in the jumper ring, Krebs shared, “I think it is really helpful to do the equitation and the hunters. It is not my favorite thing,” she laughed. “But, it is really good for me to slow my brain down. I get on an adrenalin rush in the jumper ring and it is really good to have an opportunity to ride such a special horse in these classes to work on myself.”
Having been partnered with Meraki for a short time, the junior rider shared her experience with the young gelding, “He just turned seven. He hasn’t done a whole lot and I am honored to have the ride on him! We took him to Maclay Finals and he had never done the equitation before. He is really great minded and straightforward. We are getting him in the ring as much as we can and getting him some more mileage.”
Consistency was key for Krebs as she earned a pair of 87’s with the seven-year-old Holsteiner gelding.
“I thought there were some good options to test him a bit today. I took some inside turns that not a lot of people took. I went in with the mindset that it would be good for him to come here and get to experience in all of the different classes offered here. We are just getting to see what he can do!”
A two-round total of 174 was enough to secure the win with a six-point lead.
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results:
1 Meraki, Amy Krebs, Amy Krebs | 87 | 87 | 174
2 Quinziano, Catherine Eberly, Catherine Eberly | 85 | 83 | 168
3 Cosworth, Abaigeal Musser, Front Row Sport Horses LLC | 88 | 79.5 | 167.5
4 Maui, Sophia Tabasso, Sophia Tabasso | 78 | 89 | 167
5 Breakfast Club, Ava Donna, Ava Donna | 82 | 84 | 166
6 SCF Exclusive, Anna Suttman, RLH2 Family Trust | 84 | 81 | 165
7 Jukebox, Caroline Swanson, Caroline Swanson | 88 | 76 | 164
8 Bond, Elizabeth Rinehart, Elizabeth Rinehart | 92 | 69 | 161
9 Speechless, Eva Orlando, Eva Orlando | 86 | 74 | 160
10 Family Affaire, Claire Mullally, Judgement Farms LLC | 79.5 | 77 | 156.5