Wilmington, OH – Forty elegant horse-and-rider combinations vied for the top prize in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Non Pro Hunter Derby sponsored by Shoo-fly and $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby. Bobby Murphy of Lexington, Kentucky, crafted the beautifully decorated hunter tracks that showcased four natural high options. Competition was fierce in both derbies with top placings separated by just fractions of a point.
The $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Non Pro Hunter Derby sponsored by Shoo-fly saw a large field of 22 stunning hunters compete for the blue ribbon and beautiful wool cooler, but none could best Leighton Goldberg and her own Cristiano (Click And Cash x Carman-GHIA). Goldberg and the 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding produced a foot-by-foot perfect first round to receive a score of 90.
Cristiano is a new partner for Goldberg, “We just bought Cristiano. I knew the moment I tried him that he was perfect for me. This is our second show together and this was my first derby at WEC,” Goldberg said. “I was a bit nervous when I saw all of the jumps. They are so beautiful, but I was afraid they were going to be a bit spooky. Cristiano didn’t bat an eye and he was perfect.”
The pair returned to the R+L Arena for the handy opting to take the left approach to fence one, “My trainer and I decided that the left approach would be the better option for us, because it would give me more time to find a good distance to the first fence. Then, my goal was to stay smooth and not do anything too risky because I was already on top.”
The pair floated through the handy track, easily negotiating all four high options for a score of 88.5.
$10,000 USHJA National 3’ Non Pro Hunter Derby sponsored by Shoo-fly Results:
1 Cristiano, Leighton Goldberg, Leighton Goldberg: 90 | 88.5 | 178.5
2 Donatello, Hannah Eddlemon, Addison Mae King: 89 | 89 | 178
3 Red Roc, Kiera Philpot, Kiera Philpot: 84.5 | 90 | 174.5
4 Authentic, Ava Maria Guindi, Ava Maria Guindi: 85 | 86.5 | 171.5
5 Artano G, Finely Scheffel, Nori Scheffel: 84.5 | 85 | 169.5
6 Opulence, Ava Matas, Ava Matas: 85.5 | 82 | 167.5
7 Apparently, Elliot Hodge, Elliot Hodge: 82 | 83 | 165
8 Astil L, Marissa Balcarras, Rachel Schnurr: 83 | 81.5 | 164.5
9 Cote d’Iovire, Iris Perlioni, Carlee McCutcheon: 79 | 84 | 163
10 Clueso, Morgan K. Schauer, Meghan Templet: 80.5 | 80 | 160.5
Tammy Provost & All In Prevail in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby
Tammy Provost and Brenda Christenson’s All In walked away with the top prize in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby after delivering two beautiful rounds. Provost and the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding delivered a smooth first round to earn a score of 88.5.
All In has been a longtime partner for Provost, “We have had him for many years. I started him in the 3’ Pre Greens and he’s been my most dependable horse ever since. He doesn’t do anything wrong. If something happens, it’s the riders fault. He knows his job and wants to be perfect.”
Provost and All In returned for the handy with points to make up, “I knew I was behind, and I thought that the only way to win was to do all of the inside turns.” Provost said. “I think we won the class with our inside turn after the high option fence to the mums. He was so smooth, and it felt seamless.”
The pair rolled around the remainder of the course, making the handy turns look effortless to secure a score of 91 for a two round total of 179.5 for the win.
“He is the best type of horse to have. He never needs to be ridden in the ring before the class, he never spooks and always does what he’s told. Sometimes we will lunge him in the morning if he hasn’t been out, but other than that, he can just walk into the ring,” shared Provost.
“This was the perfect preparation for Kentucky. His other owner Jackie will be showing All In at the National Horse Show in Kentucky on November 5, so it was great to get him back in a indoor and jump around beautiful fences. I know he will be good for her, just like he was perfect for me today.”
$10,000 USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 All In, Tammy Provost, Brenda Christenson: 88.5 | 91 | 179.5
2 Suede, Hillary Johnson, Copper Fox LLC: 91 | 88.25 | 179.25
3 Blue Monday, Hillary Johnson, Stephanie Battershall: 88 | 90 | 178
4 Dianthos XO, Mandy Vergerio, Linda Cromie: 86.5 | 87.75 | 174.25
5 Up Up And Away, Meagan Murray-Tenuta, Come Fly With Me LLC: 89 | 84.75 | 173.5
6 Red Label, Tammy Provost, Dean Burger: 85 | 88.5 | 173.5
7 Top Of The Hill, Meagan Murray-Tenuta: 83.5 | 89 | 172.5
8 Night Moves, Tyler Petrie, Roseann Messina: 85.5 | 86.5 | 172
9 MTM Bentley, Allie McBreen, Lori Taylor: 87 | 84 | 171
10 Rightful, Tiffany Hammack, Foxwood Farm: 82 | 88 | 170
Photos courtesy of Winslow Photography
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