Colleen Holton Pilots Udefix to Victory in the $15,000 Standlee USHJA National Open Hunter Derby of Winter Classic 12
28 FEB 25 Wilmington, OH
Wilmington, Ohio – The R+L Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) set the stage for yet another Hunter Derby Friday during Winter Classic 12. Amongst a competitive field, Colleen Holton piloted her own, Udefix (Uccello x Contendra), to two impressive rounds to claim victory.
Holton she was greeted at the in-gate by her cheerful team at Carraway Hill and felt thankful for her barn-favorite, Udefix, “He is just so fun for me to have. He is pretty much my steady eddy at this point. It is so fun to have my own that I know is going to go in and do the job. He is the barn favorite; he has demanded that! His ego is big,” Holton laughed.
The first-round suited Holton and her 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding, landing them a score of 87.
“I loved the track. I thought it flowed so nicely,” Holton commented on Bobby Murphy’s track. “Felix likes getting to jump the end jumps and something a little more impressive. Sometimes indoors he gets a little peaky through the gaps, but this course worked out well for him because he could just keep galloping in both rounds.”
Returning for the handy in third place, the duo took every handy opportunity available on an open gallop impressing the judges for the highest score of the day of 92. A two-round total of 179 secured the win.
“I think he gets bored in the first round. In the handy, I think he pays more attention. It somehow feels like he knows that there is added pressure. He likes that and is always right there with me in the handy,” Holton noted.
$15,000 Standlee USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 Udefix, Colleen Holton, Colleen Holton | 87 | 92 | 179
2 Crass B, Megan Hubbard, Cindy Bohn | 89 | 89 | 178
3 Notting Hill, Megan Hubbard, Simone Neway | 87.5 | 87 | 174.5
4 Bugatti, Megan Hubbard, Christine Sheaffer | 85 | 83 | 168
5 Apache 286, Erika Heintschel-Githens, Naytraders LLC | 77 | 90 | 167
6 Rule in Favor, Colleen Holton, Bethany Bickel | 86 | 75 | 161
7 Loki Hf, Spencer Turnblacer, Spencer Turnblacer | 78 | 78 | 156
8 Recalibrate SCF, Cole Jackson, Fdo Equine LLC | 81 | 69 | 150
9 Mtm Bentley, Allie McBreen, Lori Taylor | 66 | 81 | 147
10 Forgive and Forget, Kristina Airgood, Alexa Stirling | 76 | 68 | 144
Vanessa Mazzoli & Levidinus Top $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby
Consistency was key for Vanessa Mazzoli and Levidinus (Elvis Ter Putte x Wadina) in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby as they laid down two textbook rounds to top the class.
Mazzoli has been partnered with the young hunter for nearly a year and just stepped back into the ring for the first time after a successful indoors season.
“I started showing ‘Levi’ last summer. He is owned by the Fischetti’s. I showed him in Kentucky and then took him to the National Horse Show and this is his first show back since then. It was really fun to be back in the ring on him and he was really good!”
The duo jumped to a score of 81 over the first-round track, sitting in third place returning for the handy.
“It was a pretty straightforward course. There wasn’t anything super technical, but the jumps were impressive enough that it kept their attention. I just wanted to be smooth with him going back in for the handy. He was great,” Mazzoli shared.
The nine-year-old KWPN gelding laid down a consistent second round for an 83, ultimately moving up the leaderboard to secure the win with a two-round total of 164.
Mazzoli discussed her thoughts about bringing young horses along at WEC, “It is great experience for them to be able to come here and do the derbies. It is a big class for them, but the atmosphere is inviting for young horses. It is one of the best shows to bring along young ones!”
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results:
1 Levidinus, Vanessa Mazzoli, Jonathon Fischetti | 81 | 83 | 164
2 Heir Mystic, Dakota Coughlan, Dakota Coughlan | 84 | 79.5 | 163.5
3 Deo Volente, Charlotte Larson, Charlotte Larson | 79 | 84 | 163
4 On Pointe, Anna Frear, First Blue LLC | 74 | 86 | 160
5 Quidam Adero, Elyse Jeschelnig, Chuck Waters | 86 | 69 | 155
6 Clooney, Nicole Jeffries, Nicole Jeffries | 77 | 77 | 154
7 Casanova, Ashley Kurz Caplan, Ashley Kurz Caplan | 78 | 75 | 153
8 Ourson, Tessa Carlino, Tessa Carlino | 72 | 72 | 144
9 Capone, Kara Hays, Kara Hays | 69 | 71 | 140
10 Sky Walker, Hailey Marr, Alexis Young | 49 | 77 | 126
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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.