Daniel Geitner & Walk The Tides Are Magic in the $75,000 WCHR East Coast Hunter Spectacular presented by LeMieux
31 JAN 26 Ocala, FL
Ocala, FL – The first World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week of the 2026 Winter Spectacular Show Series welcomed more than 100 hunter combinations to compete in three competitive derbies. The day began in the WEC Stadium with the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, followed by the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby, and concluded under the lights with the $75,000 WCHR East Coast Hunter Spectacular presented by LeMieux, held for the first time at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC). Ken Krome set the tracks, showcasing a garden-like atmosphere and top sport throughout the day.
The $75,000 East Coast WCHR Hunter Spectacular presented by LeMieux brought together 34 of the nation’s top hunter combinations to compete in an open-format classic round at 3’6”, 3’9”, or 4’, with the top 12 returning for a handy round featuring tighter turns and an open gallop. Tom Brennan and Andrea Wells officiated on panel one, joined by Todd Karn and Gary Young on panel two. In the end, Daniel Geitner claimed the top spot aboard Lynn Seithel’s Walk The Tides (Brantzau x Asquetta).
Walk The Tides was not originally slated to compete, but Seithel encouraged Geitner to “give it a try.” The 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding delivered a smooth first round, earning an 86.5 from panel one and a 92 from panel two for an 89.25 average, putting Geitner second heading into the handy.
Geitner made the most of the handy options. “I loved the handy and the choice at the end,” he said. “I chose what was best for my horse and tried to show off his stronger lead.” His overall plan stayed simple. “Just stay forward, gallop, be tidy, and try not to make any mistakes.”
The pair impressed again in the handy, earning an average score of 89 to secure the win with a two-round total of 89.125.
Geitner praised the gelding’s classic style. “He’s old school. He looks like a thoroughbred. You can’t hear him touch the ground, and with the lights and beautiful jumps, I was really able to gallop to the fences.”
Making the win even sweeter, the class marked WEC – Ocala’s first time hosting the WCHR East Coast Hunter Spectacular. Geitner called it “very special,” adding, “It’s a big testament to World Equestrian Center. I think it’s only going to grow and draw more people and attention.”
He also highlighted the atmosphere, saying, “The lighting is amazing, and these jumps are incredible. Each jump is a masterpiece. It’s just amazing, and the good horses really shine out here.”
Amanda Steege finished close behind in second place aboard Cheryl Olsten’s 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Lafitte De Muze (Darco x Everlychin de la Pomme), earning a first-round average of 85.5 and a standout handy score of 92.5 for an overall average of 89. Steege spoke about the significance of the class and the WCHR program. “WCHR is a program that I’ve always really supported,” she said. “The whole idea is showcasing the very best, from the footing to the jumps and presentation, and that’s the standard that WEC Ocala holds. I feel honored that WEC was chosen to host this Hunter Spectacular.”
David Wilbur rounded out the podium in third aboard Marita Zuraitis’ 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding Four Aces (Acodetto 2 x Haamon), posting a first-round average of 89.875 and a handy score of 87 for a final overall average of 88.438. Wilbur spoke highly of the gelding’s talent. “I’ve been riding Four Aces for almost a year now, and he’s an incredibly special, talented horse,” he said. “I’m fortunate that the Zuraitis family and their trainer Kate have given me the opportunity to show him.”
$75,000 WCHR East Coast Hunter Spectacular presented by LeMieux Results
A Meaningful Win for Kate Conover and Small Love in the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby
The first derby of WCHR week kicked off with the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, where 28 top horse-and-rider combinations contested a winding track. Ultimately, Kate Conover and Iwasaki and Reilly’s Small Love (Chacco Blue x Wisilvia) returned to the winner’s circle.
“I haven’t ridden ‘Honeypot’ [Small Love] since our last derby win here a couple of weeks ago,” Conover noted. “But when Liz [Reilly] calls me, and Gus [Augusta Iwasaki] is at college, I guess I do my Fridays with KC [Kate Conover] and HP [Honeypot], we like to say.”
Conover guided the 13-year-old Hanoverian mare to a first-round score of 90, sitting in second heading into the handy round.
“They did a beautiful job with the course today,” Conover said. “The jumps were very inviting. There was a lot of ground line, which I like because it gives the horses a chance to really jump. Augusta always says Honeypot likes the right lead, so Liz mentioned that, and I decided to take the first jump off the right lead in the first round. After that, it was mostly high and low options and nothing too tricky.”
Heading into the handy round, the top three riders were separated by just one point, and Conover knew she needed to take some risks. “The handy was very smooth,” she said. “There was a tight inside turn that we took. I was coming back in second place, so I knew I had to really go for it to put pressure on the other riders. I went inside, and she jumped amazing. After that, I knew it was smooth sailing.”
Smooth sailing it was, as the pair earned a 92 in the handy for a two-round total of 182, securing the blue ribbon.
WCHR week holds special significance for Conover, making the win especially meaningful.“WCHR is very important to me,” Conover reflected. “January 13 of 2023, while I was here in Ocala, my brother passed away. I had a goal of winning the WCHR Professional Challenge in 2023, and I did. Winning that final was something I truly strived for, so WCHR will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
$15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3′ Open Hunter Derby Results
Standout Debut for Anna Tyler and Affirm in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby
A beautiful, sunny afternoon brought 43 talented horse-and-rider combinations to the WEC Stadium for the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. In the end, Anna Tyler and Mia Thomasson’s Affirm (For Pleasure x Chicella) claimed top honors.
Tyler and the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding had only just met moments before entering the ring for the first round. “I got on him about 15 minutes before I went in, so he’s a new match for me,” Tyler laughed. “I’m leasing him this weekend and am going to do the 3’6” Junior Hunters with him. He’s a lot of fun.”
Tyler and Affirm effortlessly cantered through the first round to earn a score of 90, placing them third heading into the handy round.
“It was a classic derby course,” Tyler explained. “There were a lot of singles and non-related distances, so I liked that you had some options. In the handy, I was a little nervous about the inside turn right after the hedge, but he handled it perfectly.”
With a near-perfect 94 in the handy and a two-round total of 184, the pair rose to the top of the leaderboard to secure the win.
Looking ahead for the rest of WCHR week, Tyler said she was eager for what was to come. “I have three other Junior Hunters that I’m showing this weekend,” she said. “I love showing in the Stadium and having hunter courses in here, so I’m excited that I get to show in here more. I’m also really excited to watch the WCHR Hunter Spectacular tonight.”
$15,000 USHJA National 3′ Jr/Am Hunter Derby 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
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This event is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors and marketing partners, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau.