WATCH US GROW Gift
Cards
This week at WEC Calendar Icon
World Equestrian Center logo World Equestrian Center logo
  • Ocala
    • Order Feed & Bedding
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Summer Series
        • 2025 Dressage
        • Labor Day Barrel Blast
        • The Championship Show
        • November & December Show Series
        • Winter Spectacular
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Orange Blossom Classic & A Sudden Impulse
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Forms
        • Prize List
        • Membership Directory
        • Points Issue
        • Standings
        • Results
        • Horses
      • Volunteers
    • Live Stream
    • Conventions
      • Conventions Photo Gallery
    • Sporting Events
      • Canine Shows
      • Sports at WEC
    • Visit
      • Stay
      • Shop
      • Dine
      • Golf Cart Rental
      • Resort Spa
      • Things to do in Ocala, FL
    • Social Events
      • Catering Menus
      • Social Events Gallery
    • Real Estate
    • Facilities
      • Expo Centers
      • Arenas
      • Stabling
      • Veterinary Hospital
      • UF Health
      • Chapel
      • Request for Proposal Form – Ocala, Florida
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
    stay-with-us-lgBtn
  • Wilmington
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Winter in the Midwest
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Spring & Summer Series
        • Fall Classic Series
        • Midwest Indoors
        • Standlee® Summer Schooling Show Series
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Standings
        • Forms
        • Membership Directory
        • Results
    • Facilities
      • Stabling
      • Arenas
      • Host an Event
    • Visit
      • Dining
      • Shop
      • Dragonfly Academy
      • Chapel
    • Live Stream
    • Stay
      • Things to do in Wilmington, OH
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
      • Vendor Application
    HomenAway
  • Events
    • Stirrups Wine Series
    • Ocala Food & Wine Fest
    • Longines League of Nations™
    • Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala
    • Ocala Winter Wonderland
  • Contact
  • About
    • FAQ
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
    • Careers
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
  • News
  • Media
    • Media Accreditation Form
  • Worship
WATCH US GROW Gift Cards
This week at WEC Calendar Icon

WEC / News / Wilmington, OH / Melissa Donnelly & Corlando 49 Triumph the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby at Winter Classic 3

Melissa Donnelly & Corlando 49 Triumph the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby at Winter Classic 3

16 Dec 23 | Shows
Melissa Donnelly & Corlando 49. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Wilmington, Ohio – Bobby Murphy (USA) decorated the R+L Arena as a winter wonderland on Friday evening for the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby, where Melissa Donnelly and Corlando 49 ultimately bested a field of 18 horse-and-athlete combinations.

The longtime duo jumped a respectable first round to score an 88, moving onto the second round sitting in third place.

Melissa Donnelly & Corlando 49. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Though Donnelly and Elizabeth Becker’s 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding were the winningest partnership in the field, she was hesitant about the first technical question in the handy track.

“’Corey’ [Corlando 49] had me a bit worried about the halt after the trot jump. He doesn’t like to halt. Once he stops, he doesn’t believe in going again,” Donnelly laughed. “I made the turn snug and tidy from the end jump to the in-and-out and he was really good about following me. He was great about the gallop down to last jump and it was nice to have a little bit of space to show off.”

Melissa Donnelly & Corlando 49. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Donnelly perfected the second round for a score of 91 and worked her way to the top of the leaderboard with a two-round total of 179.

When asked about ‘Corey’s’ preparation, Donnelly was insistent that he is never interrupted when it comes time to hit snooze.

Corlando 49 getting all the love from owner Elizabeth Becker and Melissa Donnelly. Photo by Winslow Photography.

“We allow him to nap all morning. You do not interrupt his morning nap time and then he goes out for a 10–15-minute walk, trot and canter to stretch, and that is his simple prep.”

$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:

1 Corlando 49, Melissa Donnelly, Elizabeth Becker | 88 | 91 | 179
2 Kingston Blue, Richard Rinehart, Claire Rockacy | 90 | 87 | 177
3 Ohana, Holly Kalso, Maidson Pape | 91 | 80.5 | 171.5
4 Party Time, Lisa Bac, Lisa Bac | 83 | 83.25 | 166.25
5 Just Imagine, Caroline Weeden, Stephanie Harris | 82.5 | 83.5 | 166
6 Mister Wright, Diana Conlon, Jennifer Day | 83 | 81 | 164
7 Happy Boy, Richard Rinehart, Sara Omohundro | 89 | 74 | 163
8 Casandra, Dan Urban, Emellar Stables LLC | 82 | 80.5 | 162.5
9 Cabaret LS, Joshua Graves, Samantha Gruen | 81 | 81 | 162
10 Roosevelt FLT, Kelsey Mogel, Linda Ostberg | 83.5 | 74 | 157.5

Vanessa McCaughley & Captiol Hill Capture $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Derby Win at Winter Classic 3

Vanessa McCaughley & Captiol Hill. Photo by Winslow Photography.

The $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby welcomed 23 horse-and-athlete combinations to contest Murphy’s tracks. Vanessa McCaughley ultimately captured the blue with her own Capitol Hill.

McCaughley set the standard with a first round score of 89 aboard her own 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding and was strategic with her handy plan as she came back on top.

Vanessa McCaughley & Captiol Hill. Photo by Winslow Photography.

“I thought the handy was nice because it wasn’t overly technical, and you could flow around. There were a few places that weren’t in Henry’s [Capitol Hill] favor. He doesn’t land right very often, so after the trot jump and the halt, I wanted to go inside to the oxer, but I couldn’t quite do that. But the end jump to the one-stride worked out really nicely for me.”

Vanessa McCaughley & Captiol Hill. Photo by Winslow Photography.

McCaughley knew what to expect from her longtime partner around the handy track and effortlessly jumped to a second-round score of 87 for a winning total of 176.

The young amateur rider is set to make her first grand prix debut in Saturday’s $30,000 Grand Prix with her jumper, Eldorado’s Edition, and is feeling confident after starting the weekend with a featured win.

Vanessa McCaughley & Captiol Hill joined by the team of Olive Hill Sporthorses in the winner’s circle. Photo by Winslow Photography.

“I am really excited about tomorrow. It is something that I have wanted for a long time, and I feel really lucky that I have a horse that I am able to do it on. Henry kicked off the weekend strong!”

$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Derby Results:

1 Capitol Hill, Vanessa McCaughley, Vanessa McCaughley | 89 | 87 | 176
2 Bond, Elizabeth Rinehart, Elizabeth Rinehart | 88 | 85 | 173
3 Quality Street, Katie Finley, Katie Finley | 82 | 84 | 166
4 Xzplendor, Annie Marvin, Annie Marvin | 84 | 81.5 | 165.5
5 Topper, Hailey Salita, Ruby Ransco | 80 | 82 | 162
6 On Point, Alisa Berry, Alisa Berry | 87 | 74 | 161
7 Peaceful, Vanessa Mazzoli, Vanessa Mazzoli | 71 | 89 | 160
8 Campari, Marie Lafond, Marie Lafond | 75 | 81 | 156
9 Nickel Ride, Breanna Moore, Brooke Moore | 77 | 78 | 155
10 A La Grino, Katelyn Ziggas, Katelyn Ziggas | 78 | 74.5 | 152.5

Post navigation

Previous: Josh Dolan and Something Blue Earn Superior Scores in the $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby  
Next: Luis Sabino Goncalves and Scoop De Septon Z Lead the Way in the $150,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix CSI3*

Recent Posts

  • Historic Win for Lebanon’s Jad Dana and Itchcock Des Dames in the $185,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix CSI4*
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Victoria Colvin Lands Double Victory in $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby 
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Nayel Nassar and Donvier Snag the $32,000 Juniper Grand Prix Qualifier CSI2* Win
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Sports at WEC to Offer Elite Training with MLS Pro Erik Hurtado
    |  Ocala, FL
    Read
  • Jake Endicott and Kariludine S Speed to Victory in $32,000 1.45m Grand Prix CSIU25
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Lauren Balcomb and Verdini D’houtveld Z Make Triumphant Return in $63,000 Florida Coast Equipment Grand Prix Qualifier CSI4*
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Sharn Wordley and Hagelin Prove Uncatchable in the $50,000 LeMieux National Grand Prix 
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Portugal’s Luis Sabino Goncalves and Scoop De Septon Z Snag the $130,000 Dover Saddlery Grand Prix CSI3* 
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Fenney, Prusso, and Muscari Take Top Honors at Standlee/USHJA National Hunter Derby Regional South Championships
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Back-to-Back Wins for Maria Rasmussen and SVF Changeup in the $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby 
    |  Shows
    Read

Categories

  • Magazine Issues
  • Shows
  • Ocala Construction
  • Results
  • Uncategorized
  • Equestrian News
  • Ocala, FL
  • Wilmington, OH
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Equestrian
  • Featured
  • Conventions & Trade shows
  • Weddings
  • Sports
  • Canine
  • News Releases
  • Visit

Our Affiliates

ohio hunter jumper association
hunter jumper association of michigan
ushja
us equestrian
OPHA
TAKE2 second career thoroughbred program
wisconsin hunter jumper association

Join Our Mailing List

'
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
'

Ocala

  • Equestrian Events
  • Visit
  • Real Estate
  • Conventions and Tradeshows
  • Sporting Events
  • Canine Shows
  • Weddings
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Vendors

Wilmington

  • Equestrian Events
  • Stay
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Vendors
  • About

  • Events

  • Contact

  • News

  • Media

  • Worship

  • Careers

Follow Us

  • WEC
  • Ocala

Follow Us

  • WEC
  • Ocala
Contact Us
Ocala Equestrian Operations: 352.414.7900
Hotel Reservations: 866.478.9267
Wilmington Equestrian Operations: 937.382.0985
X
Privacy Policy| User Agreement| © 2025 World Equestrian Center, Wilmington OH & Ocala FL, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
  • Ocala
    • Order Feed & Bedding
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Summer Series
        • 2025 Dressage
        • Labor Day Barrel Blast
        • The Championship Show
        • November & December Show Series
        • Winter Spectacular
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Orange Blossom Classic & A Sudden Impulse
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Forms
        • Prize List
        • Membership Directory
        • Points Issue
        • Standings
        • Results
        • Horses
      • Volunteers
    • Live Stream
    • Conventions
      • Conventions Photo Gallery
    • Sporting Events
      • Canine Shows
      • Sports at WEC
    • Visit
      • Stay
      • Shop
      • Dine
      • Golf Cart Rental
      • Resort Spa
      • Things to do in Ocala, FL
    • Social Events
      • Catering Menus
      • Social Events Gallery
    • Real Estate
    • Facilities
      • Expo Centers
      • Arenas
      • Stabling
      • Veterinary Hospital
      • UF Health
      • Chapel
      • Request for Proposal Form – Ocala, Florida
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
  • Wilmington
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
        • Winter in the Midwest
        • WEC Premier Cup
        • Spring & Summer Series
        • Fall Classic Series
        • Midwest Indoors
        • Standlee® Summer Schooling Show Series
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Standings
        • Forms
        • Membership Directory
        • Results
    • Facilities
      • Stabling
      • Arenas
      • Host an Event
    • Visit
      • Dining
      • Shop
      • Dragonfly Academy
      • Chapel
    • Live Stream
    • Stay
      • Things to do in Wilmington, OH
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
      • Vendor Application
  • Events
    • Stirrups Wine Series
    • Ocala Food & Wine Fest
    • Longines League of Nations™
    • Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala
    • Ocala Winter Wonderland
  • Contact
  • About
    • FAQ
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
    • Careers
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
  • News
  • Media
    • Media Accreditation Form
  • Worship