Ethan Maye & Uno Dinero Lead the Way in the $7,500 WEC 3’6” Hunter Derby at WEC – Wilmington Summer 2
18 JUL 26 Wilmington, OH
Wilmington, Ohio – The $7,500 WEC 3’6” Hunter Derby was the main event Saturday morning at WEC – Wilmington Summer 2 in the Main Hunter Arena. Bobby Murphy crafted the track that Ethan Maye mastered, ultimately jumping to the top spot aboard his own Uno Dinero.
Maye spoke about his special partnership with Uno Dinero and preparing for the upcoming USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals.
“I got him about three years ago. He was actually given to me, so I got really lucky because he’s the best. I really wanted to compete in the big hunter derbies, and he’s helped me follow that path. This class was a prep for Derby Finals, and I’m feeling really good about where we are heading into it!”
Maye claimed an early leading score of 88 as the second to go, returning for the handy sitting in the lead.
“When I walked the course, I thought it was great,” Maye complimented Murphy’s design. “I loved the way it used the ring and incorporated the natural elements like the wall, the hay bales and the stone. You don’t see that very often. The big hedge was a really nice touch too. He jumped fantastically, and I thought it was a very nice course that rode really well.”
A handy round score of 87 and an overall score of 175 were enough to secure the blue ribbon for the pair.
“We came here in the fall and had such a great experience that we wanted to come back for the summer. We love it here. Everyone is so accommodating, it’s a great horse show with a fantastic facility, and we’ll definitely be back,” Maye concluded.
Izzy Beisel & Cygnet Shine in the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby
The sun rose over WEC – Wilmington as horse-and-rider combinations met in the Main Hunter Arena for the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby. In a field of esteemed hunter athletes, it was Izzy Beisel that proved her dominance once again as she rode to victory with the Beisel’s Cygnet (Greco Sitte x Ginger).
Beisel was quick to praise her family’s talented eight-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding.
“He’s such a good boy, and he just keeps getting better and better. He knows he’s amazing—he’s the jock of the barn. It’s so fun because my mom got to show him for the first time this week, and she had so much fun. He’s really our whole family’s dream hunter. He has such a great personality too.”
After scoring a first-round score of 90, Beisel took a deep breath walking in on top for the handy.
“I don’t actually get too nervous for the Grand Prix or the big jumper classes because when you’re going into the jump-off, it feels like a clean slate,” she laughed.
“But with the hunters, everything kind of adds up, and going back with the highest score is very nerve-wracking for me. I’m not quite used to it yet!”
Murphy set a technical track that “rode a bit like an equitation course,” Beisel noted.
“It was definitely technical, and since he’s still a little green, I just wanted to take it one jump at a time and not get too rushed. Sometimes I get a little too excited before it’s even over. This track really kept me thinking and kept everyone on their toes, and I think it made for a really good class.”
The duo jumped another round in perfect style, earning a handy round score of 91 from the judges to take the lead with a two-round total of 181.
After leading the victory gallop, Beisel added, “I’m feeling amazing, honestly. That was so much fun, and he’s just a blast. No matter how we do, it’s always fun, but it’s really rewarding to see his hard work paying off. He’s finally kind of put it all together. I love bringing along the young horses and watching them figure it out. When it starts to click, it’s a really cool thing.”
Ava Barnes & Unprecedented Top the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby
Nineteen combinations contested the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby on Friday afternoon, but none came close to Ava Barnes and her own, Unprecedented (Commodor x Cover Girl).
The duo is no stranger to the winner’s circle with numerous championship titles on their record. Barnes shared more about their longtime partnership.
“I believe this is my fourth year showing him. He’s such a sweet horse and honestly my favorite one in the barn. He’s just so much fun to ride. I find all the jumps really nicely on him, and he’s a very rideable horse.”
Barnes and her 14-year-old gelding secured a first-round score of 81.5, returning for the handy in third place.
“I think he really likes the handy rounds. I was sitting in third going into the handy, so it was great knowing I could go in, put in a good round and move up,” she shared.
Doing just that, the pair earned a second-round score of 90 and a two-round total of 171.5 for the win.
Additionally, Barnes discussed her experience showing at WEC – Wilmington.
“I actually started riding here when I was about 6 years old, and I rode here for the first three years of my riding career,” she smiled. “It’s really special to come back and show here. When I first started, this whole outdoor area didn’t even exist, so I really love showing outside now. I love the barns, the Starbucks—everything about it.”
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