Gracie Johnson Earns First $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Victory at WEC – Wilmington Mid Summer Classic

31 JUL 26 Wilmington, OH

Equestrian rider wearing a helmet and jacket jumps a brown horse over a fence on an outdoor course surrounded by greenery and a white pavilion.

Wilmington, Ohio – Twenty-one horse-and-rider combinations returned to the Main Hunter Arena under sunny skies Friday afternoon at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) for the $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby during the Mid Summer Classic. Rising above a competitive field, Gracie Johnson captured her first hunter derby victory aboard her own, Stakkatos (Stakkato Gold x U-Carisma).

Equestrian rider in formal attire guides a horse over a jump during a show jumping event in an outdoor arena.
Gracie Johnson & Stakkatos. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Johnson reflected on her partnership with the six-year-old Holsteiner gelding.

“We found him about a year ago at Swan Lake. Cindy Bohn had him for two days after he came to the States, and I saw him at the horse show and thought, ‘He’s a star. I need him.’ About a month later, he was ours!”

Three equestrians in riding attire pose with a horse wearing a blue ribbon. Two stand with a sign; one is mounted. Greenery and trees are in the background.
Gracie Johnson & Stakkatos. Photo by Winslow Photography.

“We’ve come here a lot and started in the Children’s Hunter division while Spencer Turnblacer has been showing him in the 3’3″ Green Hunters and Performance Hunters. Last show I got to sneak into a few 3’3″ classes with him, and I did that again this week,” she continued.

Returning with a first-round score of 87, Johnson sat just one point behind her trainer, Spencer Turnblacer, who led the field on an 88.

A person in riding gear jumps a brown horse over a tall obstacle during an outdoor equestrian event with greenery in the background.
Gracie Johnson & Stakkatos. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Johnson returned with a handy-round score of 86. Their two-round total of 173 was enough to secure the victory.

“This is my first derby win, so it feels really amazing! I thought both of my rounds were really good. At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to take the high options, but I knew he was good enough to do them. I was definitely a little nervous going in, but once I started going around, I relaxed because he’s so brave,” Johnson smiled as she reflected on her win.

Equestrian rider in black attire guides a brown horse over a jump during a show jumping event on an outdoor arena.
Melissa Donnelly & Iester K. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Melissa Donnelly and Lily Kosal’s 13-year-old KWPN mare, Iester K (Jazz De Coquerie x Zester K), earned scores of 86 and 85 for a two-round total of 171 to finish second.

Equestrian rider in a black helmet and jacket jumps a dark horse over a wooden fence during an outdoor competition.
Spencer Turnblacer & Monaco. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Turnblacer returned as the final rider aboard Jessica Ferraro’s seven-year-old Warmblood gelding, Monaco (Diarado x Valencia), earning a handy-round score of 82 and a two-round total of 170 to round out the top three.

$15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results

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