Kinsley Nolte Earns First Ever $15,000 Kentucky Performance Products USHJA National Hunter Derby Win
30 JAN 26 Wilmington, OH
Wilmington, Ohio – The Nolte sisters owned Hunter Derby Friday at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) Winter Classic 8. Kinsley and Emerson Nolte were both unbeatable in the $15,000 Kentucky Performance Products USHJA National Open Hunter Derby and the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby, respectively.
It was a career highlight for Kinsley as she claimed her first ever derby win at just 14 years old riding Elizabeth Lile’s Torento (Tornesch x La Pomme V’t Gelutt Z).
“I am so excited! It was such a good day. Normally my sister is the hunter girl, so it is so exciting to be up here with her,” she laughed.
A trustworthy mount that excels in every ring, Torento has been a shining star in the hunter derbies. “He is just an amazing horse that can really do anything you ask. I usually stick to the equitation with him, but last week, we decided to do the derby just for fun and we figured since it went well, we would try again this week!”
Nolte captured an early lead in the class, posting a high score of 89. She went back for the handy phase sitting in the leading spot with the 14-year-old Warmblood gelding and felt confident about Michael Pegg’s track.
“I thought that the jumps were beautiful and impressive, so he was giving me such a nice jump,” she shared. “The handy had nice options so I could take the tidier turns to show off a bit more. He is so good, so I knew I could trust him taking the turns.”
Nolte earned an impressive second round score of 92 to secure the win with an overall score of 181.
Birthday Wish Come True – Emerson Nolte Wins the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby
On Hunter Derby Friday at WEC – Wilmington Winter Classic 8, Emerson Nolte’s birthday wish came true as she rode Blue Jay Way (Cornet Obolensky x Esperanza) to the win in the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby.
“This is the best birthday present I could ask for! He was so perfect today,” Nolte smiled as she concluded her victory gallop surrounded by her team at Kimber-View Stables.
Nolte is no stranger to the winner’s circle in Wilmington, having scored a derby win at Christmas in the Midwest in December. She commented on her impressive, developing partnership with her 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
“I got him over the summer, and we have just been showing here over the winter. This is our third week so far. He has been great. He is so easy in the barn, so sweet. He loves to derby and thinks they are so fun, he always perks up a little bit and jumps great. It is so fun to win these classes when I know he is having fun too.”
With a first-round score of 82, Nolte returned for the handy round in second place. The duo rose to the challenge in the second round to earn the highest score of the class of 89.
“I really liked the bending lines. I enjoyed having the one-stride because you don’t see those very often in hunter courses. The handy was really fun. There were a lot of options to turn inside and show off,” she shared about Pegg’s track.
A two-round total of 171 made for a special 18th birthday and earned the duo their second derby win of the season.
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