Timothy Maddrix Lands a One-Two Finish in the $10,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby 

18 JUN 26 Ocala, FL

A rider in equestrian attire guides a gray horse over a jump during a show jumping competition outdoors.

Ocala, FL – World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) welcomed the first of two hunter derby days on Thursday, setting the stage for Friday’s USHJA National Hunter Derby Regional Championships. Eighty talented hunter combinations competed in the WEC Stadium across three featured classes: the $10,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA 3’ Open Hunter Derby, and the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby. All three classes featured tracks designed by Tommy Brawley.

The $10,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby closed out the day in the WEC Stadium, with 19 elite combinations vying for top honors. In the end, Timothy Maddrix dominated, claiming both first and second place aboard Kristina Groselle’s Olimpink Melloni (Carrera VDL x Ireina II) and Missy Nolen’s Marshall (Diardo x Ninburg III), respectively.

“The course was fun,” Maddrix expressed. “I liked the track in the big derby, and it was so much different than the first round, which was nice. Usually you’re jumping the same track twice, but I thought it flowed well and the handy was good.”

A person in riding gear sits on a gray horse with a winner’s ribbon, riding in an outdoor equestrian arena with a fence and greenery in the background.
Timothy Maddrix and Olimpink Melloni. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Maddrix piloted Olimpink Melloni to a classic-round score of 89.5, while Marshall earned a top handy score of 93.

Returning for the handy, Maddrix tailored his strategy to each horse. “I can be a little handier on Olimpink Melloni because he’s the type where you just turn and burn, and he’s better that way. Marshall still needs a little guidance, so I took my time with him.”

The plan paid off. A standout handy score of 94 aboard the seven-year-old KWPN gelding Olimpink Melloni boosted their two-round total to 183.5, securing the victory.

A rider in formal attire guides a horse over a jump decorated with flowers in an empty arena with rows of purple seats.
Timothy Maddrix and Marshall. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Maddrix returned aboard Marshall, an eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding, and delivered another consistent effort. A handy score of 90 gave the pair a total score of 183, just half a point behind, to secure second place.

Maddrix was especially appreciative of the opportunity to compete in the WEC Stadium during the Summer Series. “I think it’s the best place in America to be in the summertime. I wish we showed out here every week. It’s great preparation for Derby Finals because it’s the same type of big jumps and big ring you’ll see later on. I think it really helps get them ready.”

A man on a horse poses with three women, one holding a large check, in an outdoor equestrian arena with flowers, white fencing, and a modern building in the background.
Timothy Maddrix and Olimpink Melloni. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

$10,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results

Oh! What a Win for Brady Mitchell in the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA 3’ Open Hunter Derby

A rider in equestrian gear jumps a brown horse over a white and red flower-decorated fence in an empty arena.
Brady Mitchell and Oh! Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The WEC Stadium welcomed 37 horse-and-rider combinations on Thursday morning for the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA 3’ Open Hunter Derby. The professional field proved highly competitive, with numerous scores reaching into the 90s, but it was Brady Mitchell who rose to the top aboard Rein Family LLC’s Oh! (Cascol Z x Golden Jorina).

When asked about the competitive young horse, Mitchell had the most positive remarks. “He is a really awesome little horse that the Rein Family acquired last year from Peg Seals, who we love. We have just taken our time developing him, and he has been amazing. He scored a 94 base score at Aiken, and he has been knocking on the door, so it feels really good to get the win today.”

A horseback rider in a helmet and jacket jumps over an obstacle during an equestrian event, with greenery and flowers in the foreground.
Brady Mitchell and Oh! Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

“He has a ‘how can I help you’ character. His ears are always forward, he is so sweet and just a curious, nice guy. He is lovely to be around,” he added. “He was perfect today. I wouldn’t have changed anything. I went on my other horse and was a little conservative, and I didn’t like my score, so that always gives me a good drive to really turn it on!”

The seven-year-old Zangersheide gelding jumped to an impressive first round score of 91, returning for the handy sitting in second place. 

Mitchell shared, “I planned to do all the turns in the handy. He is like a little gymnast, he is a nice size and now that he has learned it, he is amazing at the handy, so I knew I could push it. He is up for anything.”

Four people and a horse pose at an award ceremony; one person on horseback, two holding a large check, and one holding a tote bag, with flowers and white lattice structures in the background.
Brady Mitchell and Oh! Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Executing a near-perfect handy effort, the duo secured a 94 to lead the class with a two-round total of 185.

Additionally, Mitchell emphasized his experience in the WEC Stadium, “This is my favorite ring in America! I live in Wellington, but this ring right here is my favorite hunter ring. It rides beautifully. There is nothing like being able to ride in this ring to get these young horses ready for finals in Kentucky in the impressive space. There are beautiful jumps and beautiful footing and we are very happy whenever we come to show here.”

$10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results 

Primetime Performance Propels Caitlin Burns to Victory in $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby

A rider on a dark horse jumps over an obstacle decorated with flowers in an empty equestrian arena with rows of blue seats in the background.
Caitlin Burns and Primetime. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Twenty-three junior and amateur riders took to Tommy Brawley’s winding track in the WEC Stadium, but it was Caitlin Burns who impressed the judges aboard her own Primetime (Oslo van’t Paradijs x Monalisa van’t Paradijs), earning two scores in the mid-90s to secure the victory.

The win was especially meaningful as it marked Burns’ first visit to World Equestrian Center – Ocala. “This is actually my first time bringing horses here, and today was our first day showing, and they love it,” she shared. “The jumps are beautiful, it’s a nice big ring, and everything just came up rosy.”

A rider on a black horse jumps over an obstacle during an equestrian event, with greenery and a brick structure in the background.
Caitlin Burns and Primetime. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Burns guided the eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding to a smooth and polished first round, earning a class-leading score of 94.

Returning for the handy in the top position, Burns focused on keeping things simple. “Just to be smooth, basically. Not get ahead of myself or overexcited. Just stay smooth, wait it out, and let it happen.”

The pair delivered once again, earning an even higher score of 95 in the handy for a winning two-round total of 189, nine points clear of the next closest competitor.

Three people pose with a horse at an outdoor equestrian event, holding a large check and a banner, with flower arrangements and greenery in the background.
Caitlin Burns and Primetime. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Burns was thrilled with the result after developing Primetime since he was a five-year-old. “It’s so rewarding to have a young horse and then be able to see them develop into what you always thought they could be.”

$10,000 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

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