Wilmington, Ohio – Kelsey Epperson defended her winning title at Winter Classic 11 as she rode to the top of the leaderboard in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunt-N-Go Derby at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC).
After her one-two-three finish from last week’s derby, Epperson felt the pressure returning on her winning mount, Elliott (L’arc De Triomphe x Renommee Bois Margot).
“I was on a bit of high from last week, but I was also feeling pressure. This horse has never had pressure because he is just a 3ft green. I just wanted him to go around nicely and have a good experience, and all of a sudden, he wins! I am happy I was able to do it again,” she shared
Scott Alder designed the track for the Hunt-N-Go format that presented some nerves for Epperson, “I was a little worried! But this horse is quiet, and he is compact, so it is easy to turn and find the jumps. The track rode really smoothly and it worked out well.”
The nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by Danielle Leach was in his same winning form, earning a winning total of 179.
“He is really focused on Green Incentive Finals towards the fall. These classes are great for him to get used to that kind of environment and similar jumps, so that is mostly his goal.”
$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunt-N-Go Derby Results:
1 Elliott, Kelsey Epperson, Danielle Leach | 179
2 Apache 286, Erika Heintschel-Githens, Naytraders LLC | 177
3 Besos Y Abrazos, Devin Milan, Elizabeth Blake | 173
4 Lordas 4, Emily Alinen, Susan Benedejcic | 172
5 Troubador, Jesse Dow, Suzanne Deuel | 164
6 Sazerac, Kaitlyn Skog, Melissa Hague | 162
7 O-So Exquisite Es, Chelsea Francis, Gina Filewicz | 158
8 R Du Sol, Devin Milan, Devin Milan | 156
9 Mtm Bentley, Allie Mcbreen, Lori Taylor | 155
10 Winterfield, Chelsea Francis, Hannah Swanson | 154
Sweet Victory for Katie Rosinski & Astor H.S. in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunt-N-Go Derby
Thirty-nine horse-and-rider combinations vied for the win in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunt-N-Go Derby, but it was Katie Rosinski that was accompanied by the cheerful team of Old Oaks Farm as they led the victory gallop.
Aboard Astor H.S. (Balous Bellini x Caprice), Rosinski has recently gotten back into the show ring at WEC – Wilmington and has found nothing but success.
“Kelly [Dervis] got ‘Mia’ in June. She was a big jumper, and then she won her very first derby with Kelly! I started riding her over the fall. We decided at the last WEC show that I would do the adults, and she won three out of four over fences! She is just wonderful. A super cool, game mare,” Rosinski shared.
Rosinski felt that the Hunt-N-Go format worked in the mare’s favor, “I think it worked great for her. She felt really good when she went into the ring. She was really calm which is the challenge with her, just getting her mentally relaxed. I thought having one round was actually great for her today.”
The classic nine-year-old Westphalian mare showed great promise in her new hunter career, earning a two-round total of 168 for the win.
Rosinski expressed her gratitude for the ride on Astor H.S., “I have shown a lot over the years with my own horses, but to have Kelly and her parents let me do Mia is just an unbelievable gift. I can’t believe they trusted me with this wonderful horse.”
The win proved special for many reasons as Rosinski was accompanied by her daughters, Reese and Erin Rosinski in the neighboring R+L Annex Arena in the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby.
“My horse retired in 2022. I haven’t had my own horse to ride, so I have been helping my daughters bring along their ponies. Now the ponies are all pretty made, so I haven’t ridden! It is so fun for me to ride Mia and doing it alongside my daughters is like a dream. Not in my wildest dreams did I think we would have a day like this!”
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunt-N-Go Derby Results:
1 Astor H.S., Katie Rosinski, Doris Levanthal | 168
2 Cooley Stormwater, Lauren Hollis, Lauren Hollis | 166.75
3 Beaverwoods Soriee, Kilby Brunner-Deforest, Kirsten Brunner | 166.25
4 Mister Wright, Jennifer Day, Jennifer Day | 165.75
5 Charisma 14, Madisyn Szymczak, Madisyn Szymczak | 165.5
6 Moonlighting, Riley Conigliaro, Maragaret Price | 163.5
7 Grand Tour, Morgan Glidden, Morgan Glidden | 161.5
8 Sweet Sport Ctf, Maidson Fankhauser, Maidson Fankhauser | 161
9 Cabana Boy, Mavery Regn, Mavery Regn | 159
10 Elvis, Sarah Gould Steinhardt, Sarah Gould Steinhardt | 158.5