Sophia Segesman & Cape Coral Capture $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby 

06 MAR 26 Ocala, FL

A rider in equestrian attire guides a horse over a yellow show jumping obstacle surrounded by flowers during a competition.

Ocala, FL – Nearly 80 horse-and-rider combinations gathered in the beautifully prepared GGT Footing Hunter 1 Arena for three featured classes on Hunter Derby Friday: the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, and the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Kevin Holowack set flowing tracks that featured an abundance of natural obstacles decorated with lush greenery and plant décor.

In the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, Sophia Segesman piloted Georgy Maskrey-Segesman’s Cape Coral (Cancara x Edwina II) to victory with two impressive scores in the 90s.

A rider in formal attire jumps a brown horse over a decorative fence during an outdoor equestrian event under a partly cloudy sky.
Sophia Segesman and Cape Coral. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Segesman guided the up-and-coming derby star, Cape Coral, to a textbook first round, earning a score of 90 from the judges. 

She spoke about the impressive six-year-old Holsteiner gelding: “I’ve probably never felt such a connection with a horse as I do with him. He came to us at the beginning of the medal final season when he was five. When he arrived, he was automatically lovely. I didn’t have a horse for the medal finals, so I decided to do them with him, and he just marched around like it was nothing. He was absolutely perfect. Ever since then, our relationship has grown, and I really love him.”

Returning for the handy, Segesman focused on allowing her developing partner to showcase his strengths. “I stuck to my plan coming to one, two, and three. At first I thought maybe about going inside the birch to the trout jump, but it was such a strange angle that I wasn’t sure it would work out in my favor, so I just went around the birch. After that the plan stayed the same, and it felt very solid.”

Three people and a dog pose outdoors with a horse; one person on horseback, the others standing with a large check and ribbon in front of a decorated equestrian event backdrop.
Sophia Segesman and Cape Coral. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The pair impressed once again in the handy, earning a score of 93 for a two-round total of 183 to secure the win and add a derby victory to their growing partnership.

$20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results 

A Blue Ribbon Day for Hillary Johnson & Blue Monday in the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby

A rider in equestrian attire jumps a white horse over a fence during a show jumping competition, with flowers and a scoreboard in the background.
Hillary Johnson and Blue Monday. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

GGT Footing Hunter I welcomed horse-and-rider combinations back to the ring for Hunter Derby Friday at WEC – Ocala. A field of 26 contested the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, kicking off the morning’s competition as the sun rose. 

Designed by Kevin Holowack (CAN), the picturesque track encouraged classic hunter style throughout the field. Ultimately, Hillary Johnson delivered the winning performance aboard Stephanie Battershall’s Blue Monday (Cornet Obolen x Hewa).

“We have had Blue Monday for about four years now. I have only ever shown him in national derbies. He is a funny guy. He doesn’t think the schooling ring is worthy of his time, so I have to warm up by following another horse,” Johnson laughed. “He stays fit by cantering out on the grass fields and trail riding to keep things interesting for him!”

Equestrian rider in show attire leans forward to embrace a white horse wearing two award ribbons, outdoors in a riding arena.
Hillary Johnson and Blue Monday. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Johnson claimed an early lead as the eighth to go in the posted order of 92. The duo held the top spot through the entirety of the class, returning for the handy on top. 

Johnson shared her plan for the handy: “I thought the first round walked really nice and flowing. The handy had several turn options. I decided to play it safe and go around to the trot jump because sometimes we struggle with them,’ she noted. 

“It paid off, and we ended up with a nice trot jump, and the rest of the turns came right up. He felt like he was with me every step of the way. They always do such a nice job at WEC, making the jumps and courses so beautiful.”

Scores were soaring into the 90s in the handy round, but the 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding showcased his experience and style to earn an 89. 

A rider on a white horse poses with two people holding a banner and an oversized check in an outdoor equestrian arena.
Hillary Johnson and Blue Monday. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

A two-round total of 181 resulted in a blue ribbon day for Blue Monday and the lion’s share of prize money. 

$15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results

Birthday Win for Hayley Waters Wear in $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby 

A rider and horse jump over an obstacle during an equestrian event, with a sign and flowers visible in the background.
Hayley Waters Wear and Bull Run’s Luminous. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Thirty-five talented junior and amateur athletes brought their stunning hunters to the ring to contest the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. In the end, it was Hayley Waters Wear who dominated the class, taking the win aboard Bull Run’s Luminous (Valentino x Cleophatra) and also securing third place riding Genuine (Diarado x Kampari W), both owned by Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Waters, making for an even more special victory on her birthday.

Waters Wear delivered a stunning first round aboard the nine-year-old Warmblood, Bull Run’s Luminous, earning a high score of 94.

The flashy mare has proven to be a very consistent partner for Waters Wear throughout the winter circuit, frequently earning scores in the mid to high 90s. “I got her right at the end of the year last year. Kristen Vanderveen imported her and when I was pregnant, told me over and over again how much she thought she would be a great hunter. Post baby, I went and tried her and fell in love with her. I am really happy to have her this winter series.”

Equestrian rider in a black jacket and helmet jumps a brown horse over a yellow and black obstacle in an outdoor arena.
Hayley Waters Wear and Bull Run’s Luminous. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Returning for the handy with a five-point lead, Waters Wear aimed to keep the round simple and smooth. “There were a lot of related distances. Everything seemed right out of stride if you had a nice canter, so I just tried to stay on a nice rhythm and everything showed up so nicely.”

The pair once again impressed the judges, earning a standout score of 96 in the handy for a two-round total of 190, finishing 12 points ahead of second place.

Waters Wear was thrilled with the win, adding, “What a great birthday present!”

Four people and a horse at an outdoor equestrian event; one person on horseback and three others holding a large check in front of a decorative gate and flowers.
Hayley Waters Wear and Bull Run’s Luminous. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Her second mount, Genuine, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding, earned a two-round total score of 177 to finish in third place.

$15,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Results

Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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! 

This event is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors and marketing partners, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau.