Epperson Doubles Down in the $15,000 Hagyard USHJA National Open Hunt-N-Go Derby at Winter Classic 16
28 MAR 26 Wilmington, OH
Wilmington, Ohio – World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) week brought top quality hunters and esteemed athletes to the R+L Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic 16. Kelsey Epperson proved her dominance once again, securing her second one-two finish in a row in the $15,000 Hagyard Equine Medical Institute USHJA National Open Hunt-N-Go Derby.
Not only did she secure back-to-back wins, but Epperson also added her fifth derby victory of the 2026 Winter in the Midwest Series.
Joe Carnicom designed the Hunt-N-Go format, which challenged riders to showcase their classic style in the first half of the track and their handy skills in the second.
Epperson commented on Friday’s format. “I was nervous about the Hunt-N-Go because it is not my specialty. I like being able to come back for the handy but the horses went so well today. There were a few turns that I wanted to do just to prove to myself that I could and thankfully, it all worked out!”
First to go aboard Michelle Carroll’s Stiletto, Epperson immediately set the winning score of 179, marking the 12-year-old Warmblood mare’s second class win of the series.
“Stiletto is such a great horse. She does the 3’3″ Amateur Owner’s with her owner, Michelle, and is just a horse you can always count on,” she shared. “I am really excited to have won for Michelle and can’t wait for the rest of the summer with her!”
As the final rider to contest aboard Danielle Leach’s nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding All Rise, Epperson jumped to a 176 to secure second place.
Gabrielle Sharlow & Belamour Secure $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunt-N-Go Derby Victory
A competitive field of 27 junior and amateur riders met for the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunt-N-Go Derby at Winter Classic 16, but it was Gabrielle Sharlow who proved untouchable aboard her own Belamour.
Sharlow reflected on her partnership with the 10-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding.
“I got him about a year and a half ago, and last year we did the 3’3” Juniors where we were champion in the Large Junior Hunters 3’3”. Then in December, we moved up to the 3’6”, and he’s been great. You can tell he wants to win and wants to do the best for you. I feel like that’s really come out over the time I’ve had him.”
As the eighth to go in the order, the duo jumped to an early lead and remained unbeatable. Sharlow shared her approach heading into the Hunt-N-Go format.
“For the classic, I just wanted to relax and flow to everything, keeping it nice and calm. The handy is where we really shine—we both love it,” she smiled. “So during the handy, my plan was to keep everything tidy and get his canter back underneath me, just so I had everything ready when I needed it. I was setting him up a little closer to the jumps than normal so he could really get there and jump well.”
An overall score of 171 ultimately secured their victory.
Finally, Sharlow credited her time at WEC – Wilmington for helping shape their growth as a team.
“Last year when we came, we’d only had him for maybe six months, and I remember both of us being nervous. Coming back this year, he felt so much more relaxed. You can really see the difference, and WEC has played a big part in that.”
Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com.
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