Epperson Takes First $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Win of Wilmington Spring Series

15 MAY 26 Wilmington, OH

A rider in equestrian attire sits on a brown horse with a blue ribbon, while people stand nearby and a bald eagle is perched on a post in the background.

Wilmington, Ohio – World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) welcomed horses and riders back to its picturesque outdoor arenas for the Spring Opener, the first of three weeks in the 2026 Spring Series. The $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby took to the Main Hunter Arena, where Kelsey Epperson ultimately picked up where she left off after a winning winter streak, this time aboard Danielle Leach’s All Rise (Verdi Tn x Call To Life).

A rider in equestrian gear and helmet guides a brown horse over a jump during a show jumping competition in an outdoor arena.
Kelsey Epperson & All Rise. Photo by Winslow Photography.

As a regular competitor during Wilmington’s indoor circuits, Epperson spoke about her experience returning to the facility outdoors.

“This is our first horse show outside, and that was really our whole purpose of coming here. It’s so nice that we can start somewhere we’re comfortable before spreading out for the summer. It’s relaxed here, it feels like home,” she smiled.

A rider in equestrian attire jumps a brown horse over a white and green fence in an outdoor arena, with a pavilion and audience in the background.
Kelsey Epperson & All Rise. Photo by Winslow Photography.

“The jumps are beautiful, the course was really nice today, and the footing is great. Everything is matted, so you can walk everywhere outside. I’m really glad we came here as our first stop!”

Robert Barton designed the track that Epperson ultimately mastered with the nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, earning a first-round score of 90.

A rider wearing a helmet and jacket guides a brown horse over a jump in an outdoor equestrian arena with greenery and a small white building in the background.
Kelsey Epperson & All Rise. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Returning for the handy, Epperson executed her well-thought-out plan to perfection, earning an 89.

“I really wanted to do the inside turn to fence two, and then five strides in the line from two to three. But the bending five was coming up a little longer than I thought it walked,” she noted. “It actually walked pretty tight, so I kept going back and forth, ‘should I do the six, or go around and do the five?’ In the end, I was pretty determined to prove to myself that I could go inside and do the five. I knew my horse could do it, so I just had to ride it well! I really wanted to do it for myself.”

A rider on a horse wearing a ribbon poses with four people at an outdoor equestrian event; one person holds a sign with event details.
Kelsey Epperson & All Rise. Photo by Winslow Photography.

The duo earned a two-round total of 179 to secure the first derby victory of the Spring Series.

A rider dressed in black and white jumps a brown horse over a decorative obstacle during an outdoor equestrian event.
Melissa Donnelly & Iester K. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Melissa Donnelly piloted Lily Kosal’s 13-year-old KWPN mare, Iester K (Jazz De Coquerie x Zester K), to scores of 81 and 90 for second place.

Equestrian rider in formal attire jumps a horse over a stone and wood obstacle during an outdoor competition.
Kiera Phlipot & Roc Slyde. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Rounding out the top three was Kiera Phlipot and her own eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Roc Slyde (Roc USA x Remi Abbia), with an 80.5 and an 86.

$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results

Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. 

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