Wilmington, Ohio – The $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby of World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 9 showcased 17 horse-and-athlete combinations, though none could touch Kristjan Good and Ava Apostolopoulos’s Cassias 6 (Casall x Castella 79).
The professional athlete of Campbellville, Ontario, made his yearly trip to the climate-controlled facility with a group of star hunters, but his newest ride was untouchable earning the highest scores of the day.
“This is my first show with him. He is owned by Ava Apostolopoulos. He is a very nice horse and that was the first derby that he has done. He is just 10 this year and he is so nice to ride.”
Good stuck to his simple plan over Michael Pegg’s (CAN) first-round track with the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding for a leading score of 94.
“I really like the tracks today. I just went in and stuck to my plan. I made sure not to second guess anything and it worked out great. I wanted to just play around in the handy. I wanted to see how handy he could be and just use it to get to know him a little bit more.”
Though the partnership is brand new, the duo made an impressive effort over the handy track for a score of 93 and a two-round total of 187 to secure the win by eight points.
“It is amazing here at WEC. We love it. Tuesday was a bit rough after the trip, but by Wednesday and Thursday all the horses just got better and better. It is great for us to be in the warmth here. It is like spring fever!” Good laughed.
$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Cassias 6, Kristjan Good, Ava Apostolopoulos | 94 | 93 | 187
2 Nandino, Samantah Cooper, Ellen Malson | 89 | 90 | 179
3 Corlando 49, Melissa Donnelly, Elizabeth Becker | 90 | 88.75
4 Grimoire D’elphen, Brandon Gibson, The Grimoire Group | 88 | 88.5 | 176.5
5 Star Struck, Anna Schierholz, Sloane Silberman | 86 | 88 | 174
6 Constellation, Anna Schierholz, Anna Schierholz | 86.5 | 86.5 | 173
7 D’esparges, Sarah Roberston, Grace Weber | 83 | 86 | 169
8 Jefferson Quote, Colleen Holton, Eleanor Hutkai | 78 | 89 | 167
9 The Boy Friend, Jason Berry, David Beisel | 83.5 | 83 | 166.5
10 R Du Sol, Devin Milan, Devin Milan | 83 | 79 | 162
Anona Svenkesen & Express De B’neville Top the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby
Out of 23 entries in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby of Winter Classic 9, it was Anona Svenkesen and her own Express De B’neville that took the lead by nine points.
The young rider of Clarkston, Michigan, spent her fall season traveling to each indoor final, and picked up right where she left off, “This is our first show since October, so it couldn’t have started off more perfect.”
Svenkesen was a derby winner at the WEC – Wilmington Summer III show in 2023 and reflected on her incredible past season.
“After I won a derby in August, we qualified indoors and went to Pennsylvania and Kentucky. This past season was so exciting, and I grew so much as a rider with him. I just want to do it all over again this season!”
Despite the challenges that Michael Pegg’s (CAN) track presented for her mount, Svenkesen landed a first round score of 92 and remained on top through the entirety of the class.
“I was actually a bit nervous about the course. ‘Theo’ has trouble sometimes moving up off the right lead, and most of the lines were off the right lead. I just really had to focus on keeping him from falling on the inside and he listened to every cue. Besides that, I think the course was really nice. It was tough but not too tough. It was just enough that the riders had to think about their striding all the way around.”
Aboard her 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding, Svenkesen jumped a confident handy round for a score of 91 and a two-round total of 183 to take the win.
“I was nervous going back in on top. I was feeling confident, and he felt really ready to go right when we walked up to the gate. It feels awesome to win my second derby and I am so happy with him,” said Svenkesen.
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results:
1 Express De B’neville, Anona Svenkesen, Anona Svenkesen | 92 | 91 | 183
2 Top Gun, Kaylee Garrido, Kaylee Garrido | 89 | 85 | 174
3 Don Chacco, Hannah Naftal, Biana Salituri | 86 | 87 | 173
4 Certainty, Nicole Lyvere, Nicole Lyvere | 80 | 89 | 169
5 What’s Poppin, Sarah Donatelli, Reilly Gogul | 87 | 80 167
6 On Point, Alisa Berry, Alisa Berry | 85 | 80 | 165
7 Pacific City, Jessie Minton, Jessie Minton | 83 | 78 | 161
8 Cannonball, Ashley Garrido, Ashley Garrido | 78 | 77 | 155
9 Casal, Jennifer Farless, Jennifer Farless | 74.5 | 80 | 154.5
10 Cornet’s Design, Delanie Borders, Delanie Borders | 76 | 60 | 136
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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.