Melissa Donelly Pilots Iester K to First $15,000 OSU Galbreath Equine USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Victory

03 APR 26 Wilmington, OH

Equestrian rider in black attire and helmet guides a brown horse over a jump during an indoor show jumping competition.

Wilmington, Ohio – Thirty-one horse-and-rider combinations met for Hunter Derby Friday in the R+L Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) Winter Classic 17. Robert Barton crafted the tracks for two derbies: the $15,000 OSU Galbreath Equine Center USHJA National Open Hunter Derby and the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby.

A rider in equestrian attire smiles while sitting on a brown horse in an indoor arena with green hedge walls and a horse portrait in the background.
Melissa Donnelly & Iester K. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Melissa Donnelly topped the open class, marking her first derby win with Lily Kosal’s Iester K (Jazz De Coquerie x Zester K).

Donnelly touched on her partnership with the 13-year-old KWPN mare: “This is the start of our second season together. We’ve just moved up to the 3’6”, and she’s becoming much more confident as we continue to develop and get to know each other through the derbies. She’s still a little green, but she’s really coming along and getting much more comfortable in the handy rounds.”

A rider on horseback poses indoors with two people standing beside them, in front of a banner for the Galbreath Equine Center at Ohio State University.
Melissa Donnelly & Iester K in the winner’s circle presented by OSU Galbreath Equine Center. Photo by Winslow Photography.

The duo earned the highest first-round score of 90, returning for the handy sitting on top. Donnelly favored the course design: “I really liked the track. It was a lovely course for her—soft and fluid, without anything overly sharp. She was super bright and attentive. I couldn’t have asked her to be any softer today.”

A handy score of 86 resulted in a winning two-round total of 176, securing the mare’s first derby victory.

A rider in equestrian attire guides a horse over a wooden jump in an indoor arena during a show jumping event.
Melissa Donnelly & Iester K. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Additionally, Donnelly discussed how the venue has played a role in the development of their partnership: “I’ve really developed my partnership with her here at WEC. Having a consistent ring, good footing, and consistent courses week to week has been so beneficial. It’s helped me bring her along, build her confidence, and continue developing her into a strong hunter.”

Vanessa Mazzoli & Peaceful Return to the Top in the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby

Vanessa Mazzoli returned to WEC – Wilmington right where she left off, claiming the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby victory aboard her own, Peaceful (Ipsthar x Garde Vous Van Het Hellehof).

A rider in equestrian attire guides a horse over a jump in an indoor arena, with spectators, other horses, and greenery in the background.
Vanessa Mazzoli & Peaceful. Photo by Winslow Photography.

“I haven’t shown him here this winter, so this is actually our first show back since July,” she noted. “I really liked the course. It flowed really well for him. The bending lines came up right out of stride, and I thought it all rode nicely.”

A rider on a horse wearing a blue ribbon poses next to a smiling man holding a World Horse Show finalist banner in an indoor arena.
Vanessa Mazzoli & Peaceful. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Mazzoli led the way returning for the handy on a first round score of 90. The pair secured the win with a second-round score of 95 and a two-round total of 185.

A rider in equestrian attire guides a horse over a wooden jump in an indoor arena with green hedge walls and sandy flooring.
Vanessa Mazzoli & Peaceful. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Mazzoli shared more about her partnership with the talented eight-year-old KWPN gelding: “I’ve had him for a little over two years now, and I feel like he’s really come into his own. He’s eight now, so he’s grown up a bit, knows his job, and he really likes the derbies. I have a lot of fun doing them with him.”

Hunter Derby Friday Results

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

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!