Ocala, FL – Hunter Derby Friday took over Indoor Arena 1 once again during the 2024 Summer Series, showcasing three derbies with stunning tracks designed by Andy Christiansen. These included the $12,500 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.
In the $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, Penny Lombardo secured the top spot on the leaderboard riding Tricia Barr’s Party Started (Prado x Evian Odeveld). Lombardo and the eight-year-old Westphalian gelding delivered a smooth first round, earning a score of 87.
Owner Tricia Barr shared insights about the talented young gelding, saying, “He’s an American-bred Warmblood. He was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and we got him as a two-and-a-half-year-old from Pennyless Farm. We’ve had him ever since, and this is actually his first 3’6” derby.”
Heading into the handy round with a solid lead, Lombardo aimed to give Party Started a positive experience. “Knowing I didn’t have to pull out all the stops, I wanted to give him a little bit of time in some places. But I did challenge him with the turn back to the nine, and he did it beautifully. I didn’t get too crazy with the turn back to the trot fence, so he could process it and be comfortable. I wanted him to leave the ring thinking this was fun.”
The pair floated around the handy track, earning another consistent score of 87 for a two-round total of 174, securing the win.
Results: $12,500 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby
Maria Rasmussen and Hobbs Lane Land the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby Win
Maria Rasmussen secured another victory during Hunter Derby Friday at the 2024 Summer Series. She piloted Sunset View Farm LLC’s Hobbs Lane (Last Man Standing x Votre Altesse) to win the $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby with two impressive rounds.
Rasmussen guided the experienced 12-year-old Warmblood gelding to an effortless first round, earning a score of 89.
Returning for the handy round in second place, Rasmussen leveraged Hobbs Lane’s experience, saying, “I knew my horse would be very handy, and I wasn’t sure about [Hugh Mutch] because he’s a jumper rider. I went in thinking I had to be super handy, but Hugh ended up not being that handy. So, in the end, it was enough.”
The pair navigated another beautiful round, earning a handy score of 91 and a two-round total of 180.
Hobbs Lane has been a longtime partner for Rasmussen. “I started him when he was three, and he’s 12 now. So, it has been a very long partnership. Kristen Hamel, who owns Sunset View Farm and most of the horses I ride, Hobbs Lane is kinda our pet,” she laughed. “This is all he does now. He maybe comes out five times a year. He will now get a nice break until winter.”
Results: $10,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby
Hayley Waters Wear Scores Back-to-Back Wins in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby
Hayley Waters Wear triumphed in the $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby once again, this time riding Malcomme (Comme Il Faut x Daytoria), owned by Chuck Waters.
Waters Wear and the seven-year-old KWPN gelding delivered an impressive first round, earning a score of 89.
“I was third after the first round, so I tried to be as handy as I could. Malcomme doesn’t have a ton of experience, so I was proud of how he handled it,” Waters Wear shared about her strategy for the handy round.
With a score of 90 in the handy round, their overall total of 179 secured them the top spot on the leaderboard.
“He has been so close over and over again this summer to winning a derby. He was second in two other derbies here, so I am happy he finally got a much-deserved win!”
Results: $10,000 USHJA National 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby
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Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
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