Samantha Cooper & Nandino Shine in the $10,000 Shoofly USHJA National Open Hunter Derby at Midwest Indoors I
07 NOV 25 Wilmington, OH
Wilmington, Ohio – A group of competitive professional riders took center stage in the R+L Arena at World Equestrian Center – Wilmington (WEC) for the $10,000 Shoofly USHJA National Open Hunter Derby of Midwest Indoors I. Scores soared into the 90s, with one picturesque round after another, but it was Samantha Cooper and her partner of 14 years, Nandino, that rose to the top.
“I don’t even know what there is to say about Turtle [Nandino] that we haven’t said before,” she laughed. “He’s going on 18, so we’ve basically grown up together. It’s been about 14 years of partnership. It’s just so nice to have that kind of trust.”
The duo jumped to a first round score of 88, returning for the handy in third place.
Cooper knew she needed to stand out in the second round to climb the leaderboard, “Coming to that two-stride tonight, I didn’t even see that inside turn until the last minute, but I knew I needed to try to separate myself. It is really special to have that kind of partnership.”
The 18-year-old Brandenberg Warmblood gelding owned by Ellen Malson impressed for a score of 93 and a two-round total of 181 to clinch the win.
“Now that he’s older, he’s stepped down from the international derbies, but I’m happy that he’s still competitive and loving it,” she said. “There’s still a space for him — a fun, challenging course that he can go out and enjoy. I’m really grateful that WEC offers these opportunities as much as they do.”
Reflecting on their time at WEC, she added, “I just keep thinking, I wish we had this when we were driving ten hours to St. Louis back in the day. Now that I have kids, we don’t horse show nearly as much, but back then we were making that haul every few weeks. This showground is amazing. It offers everything we need, and what’s so great about it is that it’s consistently good. There are no surprises. It’s professionally run every single time, and that’s wonderful.”
Vivian Heyer & A La Quattro S Score First $10,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Win
The first Hunter Derby Friday of November at WEC – Wilmington began with 15 entries in the $10,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby where it was Vivian Heyer’s lucky day as she claimed her first career derby win aboard her own seven-year-old Oldenburg gelding, A La Quattro S.
The duo showcased their bright future ahead,“Quatro is only seven and he has been so good. I started catch riding him last spring and we just bought him. He has been a great partner for me! This is both our first derby wins, and I am so proud of both of us!”
Going into the class, Heyer felt that Joe Carnicom’s tracks suited her ride, and she proved it with a solid first round score of 80.
“I thought the track suited my horse today. The handy especially, there were plenty of places to be handy and it was good for him. The first round was great too, it all flowed really nicely.”
Returning for the handy sitting in the top spot, Heyer jumped another consistent round for an 84.5 and a two-round total of 164.5 to claim the win by half a point.
Celebrated by her trainers, Tammy Provost and Sarah Duhon at the in-gate, Heyer recognized her support system. “I have a great team behind me! The whole team is so supportive, and they have helped me so much. I have definitely progressed since I have been with them.”