Evan Coluccio Caps Derby Friday with a Win Aboard Dorian Grey N in $75,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby

21 MAR 26 Ocala, FL

A rider on a brown horse jumps over a green hedge obstacle labeled

Ocala, FL – The final Hunter Derby Friday of the 2026 Winter Spectacular Show Series welcomed more than 135 exceptional hunters to the WEC Stadium for three highly anticipated $75,000 derbies, marking a fitting hunter finale to the circuit. Competition spanned the $75,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, the $75,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, and the $75,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Kevin Holowack designed flowing tracks with striking obstacles that allowed scores to soar into the mid-90s.

A rider and horse jump over an obstacle at an outdoor equestrian event, with "World Equestrian Center" displayed on a sign below the jump.
Evan Coluccio and Dorian Grey N. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The $75,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby served as the final derby of the day in the WEC Stadium, set against a picturesque golden hour backdrop. Thirty-seven horse-and-rider combinations returned to the ring in pursuit of top honors, but it was Evan Coluccio who rose to the occasion aboard Hidden Ridge’s Dorian Grey N (Dallas VDL x Ivy de la Vie).

Coluccio delivered a standout first round with the nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding, earning a top score of 96. 

A rider on a horse draped in a winner’s blanket passes a large "WEC" sign next to a reflective pool, with flowers and greenery in the background at night.
Evan Coluccio and Dorian Grey N. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

He reflected on the talented up-and-coming derby star, “I bought him for me to be a Grand Prix horse because I felt so comfortable with him. We immediately clicked, and he has all the scope in the world. But I also thought I had just had Simba last year, and Simba was a bit of a statement in the hunter ring. When I sold him, I thought to myself, I should try it with ‘Dorian’ because I think I might be able to mic drop again for 2026. And here we are.”

Returning for the handy with a commanding lead, Coluccio focused on showcasing the gelding’s strengths. “I thought the handy round was very good; it proved to be a lot more challenging than it looked. I made a bit of a mistake on the first one I rode and misjudged how to turn from the two stride, so then I was overthinking it with Dorian. But thank goodness he’s amazing, and it worked out. By the end, I was like, ‘okay, I just need to not mess it up, come on, boy, we’ve just got to keep it together.’”

A group of people pose with a large ceremonial check; a man on horseback holds the check, while others stand nearby, some holding flowers, outdoors at dusk.
Evan Coluccio and Dorian Grey N. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

A second score of 93 brought their two-round total to 189, securing the pair the final 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby victory of the circuit.

Coluccio credited his team behind the scenes, sharing, “I cannot be more grateful and fortunate for my owner, Mary Antonini. We do a lot of horses and partnerships together, and she supports my career; she’s the most amazing person,” he expressed. “My whole team is unbelievable and works really hard. So it was a really great way for us to finish. I am also very proud of Dorian; he deserved this win.”

$75,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results

Jennifer Jones & Lincoln Cap Off Winter with $75,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National Open 3’ Hunter Derby Victory

A rider on horseback jumps over a green and yellow obstacle in an outdoor equestrian arena surrounded by plants and flowers.
Jennifer Jones and Lincoln. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Thirty-five competitive hunter athletes kicked off Hunter Derby Friday bright and early in the WEC Stadium for the $75,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National Open 3’ Hunter Derby. To cap an already successful season in the derby ring, Jennifer Jones ultimately led the victory gallop aboard Lincoln, the Snow Brook LLC entry (Navajo V’ant Vianahof x Cartagena Indias Ecaussinnes).

Jones and her nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding are no strangers to the winner’s circle, having earned a win and multiple top placings throughout the 2026 Winter Spectacular Series.

“He’s just a really fun little horse, and he’s amazing in these classes,” Jones shared. “He’s small, handy, and can turn—he’s like the expert of these derbies. I’m really lucky to be able to ride him.”

A person in equestrian gear rides a horse, jumping over a green and orange obstacle decorated with images of koalas during a show jumping event outdoors.
Jennifer Jones and Lincoln. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Jones returned for the handy phase atop the leaderboard with a score of 95.

“Well, I didn’t walk—I actually got here a little bit late, which is normal,” Jones laughed. “So I learned the course on the fly, but I thought it was really nice. There were just a couple of questions, like the one and the six, and the rest was a straightforward track. In the handy, I tried to keep it smooth and show off his jump as much as possible.”

Picking up an immediate gallop to the first fence and maintaining their brilliance throughout the handy track, the duo impressed once again with a 93, securing a winning two-round total of 188.

A group of five people and a horse pose with a large check in an outdoor arena, with a scoreboard showing the winner behind them.
Jennifer Jones and Lincoln. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

“I mean, it’s kind of the highlight of the season,” Jones said. “We were building toward this class, and it all worked out on the day. It’s incredible to have this kind of class and prize money available to us.”

$75,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results

Small Love Shines Again with Augusta Iwasaki in $75,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby

A rider in formal attire and helmet guides a horse over a jump during an equestrian event, with colorful flowers and a butterfly decoration in the background.
Augusta Iwasaki and Small Love. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Sixty-one junior and amateur competitors gathered at the WEC Stadium on the final Hunter Derby Friday of the circuit to contest the $75,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Rising to the top once again, Augusta Iwasaki guided Small Love (Chacco Blue x Wisilvia) to the talented mare’s sixth derby victory of the circuit.

The pair impressed immediately, earning a leading score of 94 in the first round. Iwasaki reflected on the mare that has been a constant throughout her college career. “She’s just the most perfect horse ever.  I’ve had her for almost four or five years now. I’ve had her the whole time I’ve been in college, and I’m graduating now, so that’s crazy,” she reminisced. “She’s such a winner and such a kind horse. I think you can really tell how much she wants to do it right and how much she wants to do it for me and for Kate [Conover]. She’s just really a winner.”

A rider wearing a helmet jumps a horse over a birch-patterned obstacle decorated with blue and white flowers during an outdoor equestrian event.
Augusta Iwasaki and Small Love. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Returning for the handy, Iwasaki stuck to a clear plan after studying the earlier Open Derby. “I watched the pros this morning, and I wanted to ride the track just like that, so I stuck with my plan,” she expressed. “I like to give her a little bit of time before she jumps. She jumps so nice, and she takes a second to look at it before she jumps. So I don’t do anything too crazy handy, but I just try to be really tidy and keep the same pace.”

Their consistent effort earned a second standout score of 93, bringing their two-round total to 187 and securing the win.

A rider on horseback poses with three people, a bouquet of flowers, and an oversized check in front of a floral-decorated platform at an equestrian event.
Augusta Iwasaki and Small Love. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Iwasaki also spoke on the significance of a circuit finale, “I think it’s really special and really important for the hunters. It really makes you want to build up to something for the end of circuit, which I think is really nice to have a goal for the end of it.”

A rider on a horse with a ribbon poses next to a woman holding a plaque in an outdoor arena decorated with flowers, with empty grandstands in the background.
Annabelle Brown – ‘The Style of Riding Award’
A rider on a horse with a ribbon poses next to a woman holding a certificate and bag, in front of flower arrangements and an empty stadium.
Tracy Fenney – ‘The Style of Riding Award’
A rider on a white horse with a purple ribbon poses next to a woman holding an award certificate at an equestrian event.
Josh Dolan accepted ‘The Style of Riding Award’ presented by Annie Connolly, owner of ACE Equestrian.

The Style of Riding Award, sponsored by ACE Equestrian, was presented to Tracy Fenney, Annabelle Brown, and Josh Dolan in recognition of exemplary horsemanship. The recipients received an embroidered backpack, an ACE gift certificate, and select ACE PRO4MANCE products.

$75,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Results

Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV

Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes! 

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.