Tracy Fenney Pilots MTM Secret to Victory in the $10,000 Golden Ocala 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby

31 JUL 26 Ocala, FL

A rider on a brown horse jumps over a green and yellow obstacle during an outdoor equestrian event, with flowers and trees in the background.

Ocala, FL – The penultimate Hunter Derby Friday of the 2026 Summer Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) gave horse-and-rider combinations another opportunity to prepare for the upcoming USHJA Green Hunter Incentive and Derby Finals. Andy Christiansen designed the tracks for the venue’s three featured derbies: the $10,000 Golden Ocala 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby, the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3′ Open Hunter Derby and the $10,000 USHJA National 3′ Jr/Am Hunter Derby.

Closing out the day, Tracy Fenney piloted MTM Farm’s MTM Secret (Nixon x Kaya) to victory in the $10,000 Golden Ocala 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby.

A rider on a chestnut horse jumps over a green and white obstacle decorated with flowers in an outdoor equestrian arena.
Tracy Fenney and MTM Secret. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Friday marked the pair’s first return to the WEC Stadium since winning the $40,000 Ethel M Chocolates USHJA International Hunter Derby during Week III of the 2026 Summer Series, and they picked up right where they left off.

Fenney and the eight-year-old Warmblood gelding delivered an effortless first-round performance, earning a score of 91.

Fenney credits MTM Secret’s natural style and consistency for the impressive performance. “He just gives you a good effort every single time. Even going to the last jump, I thought, ‘Is he going to get a little flat, or is he actually going to rise to the occasion?’ And he jumped even higher than all the other jumps. That was so cool.”

Returning for the handy round in the top position, Fenney took advantage of the options Christiansen built into the course.

“Well, you kind of pick your leads when they give you a choice of what to do. I picked a little bit different of a track than some of the other ones and turned inside to a couple, like to the last jump. He’s just so handy. He does everything. He rises to the occasion every time you ask him to do something.”

A rider on a horse poses with two people holding a large check and a trophy banner in a decorated outdoor arena.
Tracy Fenney and MTM Secret. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The pair once again impressed the judges, earning a standout score of 96 in the handy round for a winning two-round total of 187.

With the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive and Derby Finals just around the corner, Fenney is grateful to have the opportunity to prepare at WEC – Ocala. Earlier in the day, she also finished second, third and fourth in the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3′ Open Hunter Derby.

“I actually feel excited about going because usually I feel very unprepared. I haven’t done Derby Finals in years, but I feel good going into it. The younger horses got to go out in the Open Derby this morning, and now I have this class to prepare [MTM Secret]  for Derby Finals. I actually feel good about it. It’s just amazing we have this here at our fingertips.”

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

Silver Lining Shines Again With Brady Mitchell in the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3′ Open Hunter Derby

A rider in equestrian attire jumps a dapple gray horse over a white obstacle during a show jumping event outdoors.
Brady Mitchell and Silver Lining. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Twenty-three professional combinations took to WEC Stadium early Friday morning to contest the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby. In the end, it was Brady Mitchell who piloted Float On Equestrian LLC’s Silver Lining (Balou du Rouet x Clara) to two impressive rounds, earning scores in the mid-90s to take the victory.

Silver Lining has already enjoyed success at WEC – Ocala, winning the $12,500 Standlee/USHJA National Hunter Derby Regional Championship – Open during Week II of the Summer Series. Mitchell returned to WEC Stadium hoping to repeat that performance and did just that, laying down a near-perfect first round for a score of 97.

Mitchell credits the talented eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding’s rhythm and consistency, explaining that the horse has “really figured out how to canter on his own in this unbelievable rhythm.” He added that Silver Lining “feels like such an athlete, but he’s so still,” allowing him to see the jumps with ease. Even if they arrive at a fence a little early, Mitchell noted that the gelding has “all the power to make it look good,” joking, “It’s like cheating riding him.”

Equestrian rider in black attire jumps a gray horse over a brick and wood obstacle in an empty stadium with purple seats.
Brady Mitchell and Silver Lining. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Returning for the handy round, Mitchell knew he still had work to do with Tracy Fenney occupying the top three spots on the leaderboard at the time. He opted to use the option fences to Silver Lining’s advantage. “He uses both leads really well, but if he had to choose, he’d probably choose left,” Mitchell shared. “I just tried to use the options to my horse’s advantage.” 

The pair wowed the judges once again for a score of 95 and a two-round total of 192 for the blue ribbon. 

Mitchell and Silver Lining are now preparing for the upcoming USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships. The gelding joined Mitchell’s string this winter and has done “nothing other than just win and be awesome,” he said. Mitchell added that owner Dana Springer has allowed the horse to develop at his own pace. “I decided to keep him in the Pre Greens this year because there’s no pressure for me to sell this horse. Dana Springer owns him, and she’s really supportive of me. It just makes it all feel really nice.”

A rider on a gray horse poses with three people; they hold a trophy plaque and an oversized check in front of red flowers and a decorated arena backdrop.
Brady Mitchell and Silver Lining. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Mitchell believes WEC Stadium is the ideal venue to prepare for Kentucky. “I feel like the course designer understands that we’re here to get ready for Kentucky,” he said. “They made very young horse-friendly classes on Wednesday, and I think today was a really nice, smooth round also. I don’t think there’s a better place to get ready for the Kentucky Green Incentive Championships than right here in this ring. This is the best.”

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

Hayley Waters Wear Swept The Top Two Spots in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/ Am Hunter Derby Championship. 

Friday’s competition showcased exceptional horse-and-rider combinations in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby, where Hayley Waters Wear fielded three entries and delivered a commanding performance, sweeping the top two spots aboard Nitemoves (Zento x Naminka) and Bull Run’s Luminous (Valentino x Cleophatra), both owned by Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Waters.

A rider in equestrian attire guides a brown horse over a jump during a show jumping competition in an empty stadium.
Hayley Waters Wear and Nitemoves. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Waters Wear and Nitemoves have already proven themselves to be a standout partnership this season, most recently winning the $12,500 Standee/USHJA National Hunter Derby Regional South Championship – Amateur together earlier this month. Today, the pair continued that momentum with another polished performance. 

Reflecting on her three mounts, Waters Wear shared, “All three have been so dependable! They are super brave and rideable. Nitemoves is seven and has just started doing derbies this summer, but has really been such a good partner.”

Equestrian rider in a black jacket and helmet jumps a chestnut horse over a white fence, surrounded by flowers and greenery, at an outdoor competition.
Hayley Waters Wear and Bull Run’s Luminous. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The opening classic round saw Waters Wear occupy the top two positions on the leaderboard. A smooth, confident trip aboard Nitemoves earned an 89, temporarily putting the pair in second, while Bull Run’s Luminous edged into the lead with an impressive score of 90.

Returning for the handy, Waters Wear found herself in the unique position of competing against herself after qualifying two of her three entries for the final round. First to return was Nitemoves, who once again impressed with a seamless round, earning a 96 for the two-round total of 185 and setting the standard for the remaining competitors. 

With several options available on the course, Waters Wear explained her approach: “There were a few options; I just tried to be as handy as I could without risking too much. I tried to keep my same track for my second horse.”

Four people and a horse at an equestrian event; one person on horseback, two holding a large check, and one holding a baby and a ribbon, with flowers and stands in the background.
Hayley Waters Wear accepting her first and second place awards. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Bull Run’s Luminous followed with an equally impressive effort, earning a standout handy score of 91 and a two-round total of 181. However, Nitemoves’ consistency across both rounds held strong, securing the winning title and giving Waters Wear an impressive one-two finish.

After a successful summer campaign, Waters Wear plans to give both horses some well-earned downtime before deciding on their next goals. “I think they will have a little break after spending the summer here, and then we will start making a plan,” she said. 

$10,00 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Results 

A man in riding attire sits on a gray horse next to a smiling woman holding a plaque, with flowers and stadium seats in the background.
Timothy Maddrix accepted the Style of Riding Award presented by Annie Connolly, owner of ACE Equestrian. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

The Style of Riding Award, sponsored by ACE Equestrian, was presented to Timothy Maddrix in recognition of exemplary horsemanship. The recipients received an embroidered backpack, an ACE gift certificate, and select ACE PRO4MANCE products.

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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