Wilmington, Ohio – The $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby sponsored by The Ohio State Galbreath Equine Center was the highlight event Friday evening in the R+L Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 11. Ultimately, Kaitlyn Skog returned for the second week in a row with Melissa Hague’s Sazerac to top the leaderboard.
Delivering two top performances during Winter Classic 10, Skog’s plan was simple as she searched for the win Friday evening.
“I just wanted to go back in and stick to my plan this time in the second round. I thought the track was challenging. To start with the first line away from the gate, I knew I really needed to get down there in eight strides. I wanted to start with a good canter and after that I felt really good,” Skog elaborated.
Aboard the 12-year-old Warmblood gelding, Skog delivered a textbook first classic round for the highest score of the day of 92.
“This is one of my adult horses! He is owned by Melissa Hague. I started doing him in the derbies last year and he is so fun. We love him! He was champion in the adults last week and this was just his prep,” Skog commented on her winning mount.
Returning with a significant lead as the final entry to go, the duo impressed for a second-round score of 87 and a winning total of 179.
$15,000 OSU Galbreath Equine USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Sazerac, Kaitlyn Skog, Melissa Hague | 92 | 87 | 179
2 Mr. Miller, Anna Donovan, Diana Conlon | 88 | 86 | 174
3 Cartograph, Kaitlyn Skog, Nevergreen Farm LLC | 76 | 84 | 160
4 Fineas, Jessica Jurkowitz, Clover Hill Farm | 85 | 55 | 140
5 Clearville, Hanna Myrdahl, Chandler Salita | 86 | 50 | 136
6 Topper, Hanna Myrdahl, Ruby Ransco | 50 | 81 | 131
7 Sirius B, Jackie Walker, Jackie Walker | 49 | 78 | 127
8 D’kraft, Lauren Ranji, Lauren Colello | 44 | 82 | 126
9 Bablouie, David Crawford, Koko Burns | 55 | 70 | 125
10 Riesling DF, Jenna Fines, Leslie Purrott | 75 | 49 | 124
‘Kudos’ to Gabrielle Sharlow – Winner of the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby
The $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby saw 26 quality horse-and-rider combinations over Joe Carnicom’s (USA) tracks, but it was Gabrielle Sharlow that rode to her first derby win at WEC – Wilmington with Bays and Grays, LLC’s Kudos.
The junior rider of Chesterfield, Missouri, was over the moon with her horse’s performance and reflected on the hard work put in behind-the-scenes.
“I got him last April. When we first got him, he was a little bit nervous. He has gotten so much more comfortable, and I am so proud of him. We have done so much work with him because he is kind of spooky. The work that we put in for the past year feels like it all really paid off today!”
The 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Jon Pleasure Van De Mispelaere out of Demoiselle jumped two smooth, consistent rounds for a pair of 90s.
Sharlow felt the pressure returning for the handy, “I had a good trip so far, so coming down to the last fence in the handy I felt like the pressure was on! I saw my distance and I knew I had it.”
With an overall score of 180 for the win, Sharlow was thrilled with her outcome in the R+L Arena.
“I have done a few derbies back in St. Louis. I did the derby here last weekend, and I didn’t make it back in the top 12. So, it is crazy that this is not only my first time placing in a derby here, but my first time winning. I have never scored a 90 before and it feels so amazing. I can’t stop smiling! I wanted to cry happy tears when I heard my score.”
“I want to say thank you to Ellen Baehr, Kate Heisler and my mom for making this all happen. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them,” Sharlow acknowledged her support system in the barn.
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results:
1 Kudos, Gabrielle Sharlow, Bays and Grays, LLC | 90 | 90 | 180
2 Perfecto, Harper Malott, Harper Malott | 87.5 | 87 | 174.5
3 Sweet Spot CTF, Madison Fankhauser, Madison Fankhauser | 86 | 85 | 171
4 One Look, Robin Reid-Burke, Robin Reid-Burke | 81 | 87 | 168
5 Bejeweled, Addy Bross, Addy Bross | 81.5 | 86 | 167.5
6 Cheers, Sarah Barker, Sarah Barker | 86.5 | 79 | 165.5
7 Early Times, Charli Rose Runyan, Charli Rose Runyan | 80 | 74 | 154
8 Unbelievably Blue, Kelsey Giorgio, Natalie Arroyo | 81 | 64 | 145
9 Handmade, Rachel Dantley, Rachel Dantley | 89.5 | 51 | 140.5
10 Stallone, Emily Giorgio, Emily Giorgio | 87 | 50 | 137
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Results can be found at horseshowing.com.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.