Ocala, FL – Hunter Derby Friday during Week VI of the 2024 Summer Series showcased 60 talented hunter combinations competing for top honors in three derbies: the $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, and the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Dean Rheinheimer designed the challenging courses that saw scores soar into the 90s.
The $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby proved to be one of the most competitive yet, with scores separated by mere half points. Ultimately, Maria Rasmussen emerged victorious aboard her longtime partner, Worthy, owned by Sunset View Farm LLC.
Rasmussen, from Royal Palm Beach, Florida, guided Worthy to a stunning first-round score of 93. With all horses performing superbly over Rheinheimer’s tracks, the top five combinations were separated by just half a point going into the handy round. “I thought all of the horses were jumping super well, and coming back it was super close. I actually thought Daniel [Geitner] had me; I didn’t get to watch his full round, but his horse was jumping so well,” she expressed.
“The one high option to the trot fence was super straight, but Worthy is a master trot jumper. So my plan is simple, I just try to stay out of his way,” laughed Rasmussen.
The pair floated around the winding track for another top score of 91.25, earning an overall score of 184.25 to claim the top spot on the leaderboard.
Rasmussen shared more about her partnership with the stylish 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding: “I’ve been riding him for about five years. I started him as a first-year horse, then he did the junior hunters with Kristen’s daughter, who is now in college, so I get to ride him. He usually shows in the High Performance. He was champion at Devon this year and was champion at Harrisburg last year. All around he’s perfect, and he’s like my hero.”
$12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results:
1 Worthy, Maria Rasmussen, Sunset View Farms LLC: 93 | 91.25 | 184.25
2 Triple Gold, Robert Stucky, Caron Stucky: 91 | 93 | 184
3 MTM Lolah LOL, Dorothy Douglas, Abigail Davenport: 91.5 | 91.5 | 183
4 Pop Muzic, Ki-Juan Minors, Marilla Van Beuren: 92.5 | 90 | 182.5
5 Coltrane, Daniel Geitner, Magnolia Lane Stables, LLC: 92 | 89.5 | 181.5
6 Hollywood, Erika Moore, Moore Acres, LLC: 78 | 82 | 160
7 MTM Aztek, Meredith Gallagher, Annette Friend: 74 | 79 | 153
8 Quiero Van’t Laar, Olivia Lonneman, Olivia Lonneman: 71 | 75 | 147
9 MTM Ahoy, Dorothy Douglas, Nina Koloseike: 90 | 49 | 139
10 Visconti, Daniel Geitner, Olivia Pharr: 88 | 50 | 138
Keri Kampsen and Check Please Capture the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Win
Early this morning, top hunter professionals gathered at Indoor Arena 1 for the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National Hunter Derby. Keri Kampsen of Wellington, Florida, reigned supreme with two impressive rounds aboard Check Please (Vivant Van De Heffinck x Diara Rouge), whom she co-owns with Beth Congel and Lexy Reed.
Kampsen expertly piloted the eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding through an effortless first round, earning a high score of 94 from the judges. “This is my third show with him. We’ve been competing in the baby green classes and placed third last week in the derby,” Kampsen shared. “He is a total ham and very confident. This is all new to him, but he handles everything so well.”
Coming back for the handy round sitting on top, Kampsen had a clear plan. “The handies are still new to him, so I did the low option to one, so I could turn left and get inside. I got a great slice, and he kept the momentum to fence two, and we were able to get a nice in to the two-stride. The trot jump was the spooky barrels, and he didn’t bat an eye. He really has come a long way in just the past two weeks, and I think he’s loving the derbies.”
The pair delivered yet another stunning performance, earning a handy score of 93 for a two-round total of 187.
$10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Check Please, Keri Kampsen, Beth Congel: 94 | 93 | 187
2 Hobbs Lane, Maria Rasmussen, Sunset View Farm LLC: 92 | 91.5 | 183.5
3 SVF Richie, Maria Rasmussen, Sunset View Farm LLC: 90 | 90.5 | 180.5
4 MTM Knock Out, Tracy Fenney, MTM Farm: 88 | 92 | 180
5 Quite Fair, Lauren Patterson, Liz Hudspeth: 89.5 | 89 | 178.5
6 MTM Chic Flick, Tracy Fenney, MTM Farm: 84.5 | 90 | 174.5
7 Emerald Silver, Jordan Lubow, Opening Bell Sporthorses, LLC: 85 | 86 | 171
8 Debonair, Jennifer Tate, Barbara Kravetz: 86 | 81 | 167
9 Montana, Carolyn Bell, Anne Patrick: 84 | 80 | 164
10 Quassini, Daniel Geitner, Margaret Russell: 89 | 74 | 163
Maddie Tosh and Ulysses Claim the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Victory
Twenty-three talented junior and amateur athletes competed in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby, but it was Maddie Tosh who prevailed. Returning to World Equestrian Center – Ocala, Tosh and Betsee Parker’s Ulysses continued their winning streak.
During the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series, Tosh dominated several junior/amateur derbies, clinching the $37,500 USHJA National 3′ Junior Hunter Derby in the final week. Today, she continued her success with Ulysses, a 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding.
Tosh and Ulysses delivered a flawless first round, earning an impressive score of 92. “I thought it was a super smooth course. There were a lot of bending lines, but nothing too tricky. I like that the first jump was the hedge; it got the horses to jump well right from the start,” Tosh remarked.
Entering the handy round in the lead, Tosh kept her strategy simple and secured another impressive score of 92. Their combined total of 184 sealed the win.
“In the handy, I wanted to be smooth and consistent. You never want to rile him up,” Tosh added. “He’s very adjustable and will stay right with you as long as you stay smooth. I chose a track where I could show him off as best as possible.”
$10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Results:
1 Ulysses, Maddie Tosh, Betsee Parker: 92 | 92 | 184
2 Chada, Lillian Geitner, Tracy Grandstrand: 88 | 94 | 182
3 Churchhill Blue, Reagan Williams, RPW Shoe Horses, LLC: 89 | 87 | 176
4 Sergant Drew Wu Jof, Mary McGee, Mary McGee: 86.5 | 88 | 174.5
5 Coltrane, Erica Prockow, Avery Lambert: 87.5 | 84 | 171.5
6 Agave, Isabel Harbour, IMH Equine, LLC: 81 | 89.5 | 170.5
7 Constano, Lily Toensing, Lily Toensing: 89 | 88 | 168
8 Malcome, Hayley Waters Wear, Chuck Waters: 93 | 69 | 162
9 Dior, Kylie Elias, Kylie Elias: 83 | 72 | 155
10 Confidant, Sofia Hall, Sofia Hall: 86.25 | 63 | 149.25
Visit HorseShowing.com for final results.
Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV
Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes! Plan your stay at World Equestrian Center – Ocala