Richard Rinehart & Bond Claim $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Victory at Spring Forward

06 MAR 26 Wilmington, OH

A person riding a white horse jumps over a green obstacle during an indoor equestrian event.

Wilmington, Ohio – The $15,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby brought professional riders to the R+L Arena Friday afternoon at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington, where a competitive field navigated a flowing track designed by Robert Barton. In the end, Richard Rinehart piloted Bond (Clarimo) to the top of the leaderboard with two polished rounds to secure the victory.

A rider in a helmet and jacket guides a white horse over a yellow and brown jump during an indoor equestrian event, surrounded by green plants and barriers.
Richard Rinehart & Bond. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Bond, the 14-year-old Warmblood gelding, is no stranger to the winner’s circle and boasts a long record of victories.

Three people pose in an indoor arena with a white horse; one holds a large check, another holds a plaque, and the third is mounted on the horse.
Richard Rinehart & Bond. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Rinehart, also a familiar face in Wilmington’s victory gallops, posted a first-round score of 88.5, putting the duo in second place heading into the handy.

A rider in a helmet and jacket guides a gray horse over a jump in an indoor equestrian arena with green and wooden barriers.
Richard Rinehart & Bond. Photo by Winslow Photography.

The handy phase proved no challenge for the seasoned pair, and they delivered a score of 91 from the judging panel.

Their two-round total of 179.5 was enough to claim the win.

Jaime Sisskind & Coubertin Earn First $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Win

The first spotlight of the day at WEC – Wilmington Winter Spring Forward was the $12,500 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby, where junior and amateur riders navigated a technical track in pursuit of the early victory.

A rider in a helmet and jacket guides a horse over a wooden jump during an indoor equestrian event.
Jaime Sisskind & Coubertin. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Jaime Sisskind ultimately rose to the top, securing her first derby win with her longtime partner, Coubertin (Coulthard x Indira).

Three people at an indoor equestrian event: one on horseback, two standing and holding a large check. The setting includes greenery and autumn decorations.
Jaime Sisskind & Coubertin. Photo by Winslow Photography.

“I got Bert from my trainer when he was four, and I’ve had him for ten years now. We’ve really grown up together. I actually took him to his first horse show here in Wilmington when he was five, so it’s really special to be back here and have this win together,” Sisskind shared about her partnership with Coubertin.

Sisskind jumped to a first-round score of 89, holding the top spot heading into the handy. She noted, “For the handy, my plan actually changed at the last minute!”

A rider in a helmet and equestrian attire guides a horse over a jump in an indoor arena during an equestrian event.
Jaime Sisskind & Coubertin. Photo by Winslow Photography.

“A friend of mine, Kiera Phlipot, went before me and made the inside turn to the brush, and my trainer reminded me that I train my horse in a small ring at home, so she told me to go inside,” she laughed. “I decided to take that turn and then angle the last jump a bit. I just wanted to keep him concentrating on where we were going until the end, and it worked out!”

A rider in equestrian attire guides a horse over a yellow and green jump during an indoor show jumping event.
Jaime Sisskind & Coubertin. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Executing the handy exactly as planned, the 15-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding impressed again with a score of 89 for a winning two-round total of 178.

Equestrian rider in a navy jacket and helmet leans forward to hug their brown horse, who wears a blue ribbon, inside an indoor arena.
Jaime Sisskind & Coubertin. Photo by Winslow Photography.

“It’s the most amazing feeling to get my first derby win with him. I’m just so proud of him. He really is the best horse in the world,” she exclaimed. “Wilmington has been a huge part of our partnership. We’ve been showing here together since the beginning, and we really love it. It feels like such a family environment, and the course designers here have been fabulous.”

 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!