Ocala, FL – The inaugural World Champion Hunter Rider week of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series attracted the nation’s best hunter athletes to vie for top honors. During this special edition of Hunter Derby Friday, nearly 150 stunning combinations competed in four derbies: the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior Hunter Derby, $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Amateur Hunter Derby, and the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, held under the lights of the WEC Grand Arena.
In the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, Joe Carnicom (USA) designed the challenging course for a sizable field of 52 horse-and-rider pairs. Among them, Samantha Schaefer, a familiar face in the winner’s circle with her beloved mount In The Know, delivered two flawless rounds to claim the victory.
Schaefer guided the 15-year-old Warmblood gelding by Arkansas x Cavelle, to an outstanding first round, earning a leading score of 93 from the judges. Reflecting on her strategy, Schaefer shared, “I watched two or three rounds. I asked a couple of my friends what they thought, but I really just rode the horse that I know. I think I sometimes tend to put a little bit more pressure on myself for classes like this, especially when they are at night, because it feels a bit different and more important. I just reminded myself, I know my horse, and I just need to ride the course out there that would best suit him.”
Before the start of the handy, several competitors asked Schaefer if she was going to attempt the tight inside turn from fence one to fence two, “Everyone in the schooling area was like are you going to do it, are you going to do it, and I really didn’t know,” laughed Schaefer. “I know I would attempt it if I felt like I needed to seal the deal. So, I practiced the turn in the schooling arena, just in case, and of course, when I was walking down the ramp, I saw Daniel [Geitner] do the turn, and I said okay, here we go. But, I knew I had the best horse to be able to do it.”
Schaefer and In The Know executed the challenging turn effortlessly and continued flawlessly through the rest of the course, earning another impressive score of 94 from the judges.
“I think ‘Spyder’ came out tonight, and knew it was a special, and he rose to the occasion,” shared Schaefer.
Daniel Geitner and Magnolia Lane Stables, LLC’s Coltrane (Casall x Carano) secured second place with a first-round score of 92 and a handy score of 93, totaling 185 across both rounds.
Jordan Lubow, riding Opening Bell Sporthorses, LLC’s Wisely (Casiro I x Hauptstutbuch Fabaletta), rounded out the top three with a first-round score of 91.5 and a second-round score of 91, for an overall score of 182.5.
$20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results:
1 In The Know, Samantha Schaefer, Madeline Schaefer: 93 | 94 | 187
2 Coltrane, Daniel Geitner, Magnolia Lane Stables, LLC: 92 | 93 | 185
3 Wisely, Jordan Lubow, Opening Bell Sporthorses, LLC: 91.5 | 91 | 182.5
4 Valentino, Ava Barnes, Rivers Edge: 91 | 90 | 181
5 Cascatero, Joey Roman, Joey Roman: 89 | 86 | 175
6 Lafitte De Muze, Amanda Steege, Cheryl Olsten: 83.5 | 91 | 174.5
7 Chivalrous, Jennifer Jones, Firstlee Farm: 90 | 84 | 174
8 Cent 15, Jordan Gibbs, Mountain King Ranch LLC: 86 | 84 | 168
9 Goyard, Sydney Raidy, Sydney Raidy: 84 | 84 | 168
10 Chacco Ricco, Erika Moore, Noble Steeds LLC: 84.5 | 82 | 166.5
Jennifer Jones Claims First and Second in the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby
In the $15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby, 31 top-level hunter combinations competed over Peter Grant’s flowing tracks, but it was Jennifer Jones who captured the judges’ eyes on both Soundcheck owned by Brick City Equestrian LLC and Elle Gibb’s Lincoln.
Jones clinched victory with Soundcheck, a eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Stakkato Gold x P-Cigalle, earning an impressive first-round score of 91 and a remarkable handy score of 94, resulting in a two-round total of 185. Her second-place mount, Lincoln, secured a pair of 90s from the judges, for an overall score of 180.
Jones spoke about her two top mounts, “Soundcheck is a horse that I’ve ridden for quite a few years now. I showed him for a couple of years in the Green Hunters, now this year some derbies. He’s very straight forward, he knows his job, he’s a great jumper and very fun to ride.”
“Lincoln won the derby two weeks ago in the WEC Stadium. He’s just a fabulous horse. He’s seven-years-old and I know he’s going to be something special,” she added.
$15,000 UF Veterinary Hospital USHJA National 3’ Open Hunter Derby:
1 Soundcheck, Jennifer Jones, Brick City Equestrian LLC: 91 | 94 | 185
2 Lincoln, Jennifer Jones, Elle Gibbs: 90 | 90 | 180
3 Shameless, Josh Dolan, Kim Domenicone: 88 | 91 | 179
4 Prado, Kate Conover, Falcon Ridge Stables: 89 | 89 | 178
5 Koraline, Jennifer Jones, Sally Cox: 87.5 | 86 | 173.5
6 Ep To You, Maude Boulanger-Bouchard, Maude Boulanger-Bouchard: 87 | 85 | 172
7 Blue Monday, Hillary Johnson, Stephanie Battershall: 85 | 84 | 169
8 Small Story, Kate Conover, Chris Iwasaki: 83 | 83 | 166
9 Azaria, Sarah Gordan, Golden Farm, LLC: 82 | 81 | 163
10 Yellowstone, Hillary Rheinheimer, Lilly Peck: 82 | 78 | 160
Lillian Geitner and Banks Mill Best the Field in $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior Hunter Derby
The $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior Hunter Derby played host to 39 top-tier hunter duos, all vying for the coveted title over Peter Grant’s flowing track. Ultimately, it was Lillian Geitner who stole the spotlight aboard Daniel Geitner’s Banks Mill.
Geitner guided the 13-year-old Warmblood gelding through an effortless first round, earning an impressive score of 93.
Returning for the handy round in the lead, Geitner shared her strategy, “I knew I needed an 83 to win, so I focused on being smooth. My dad kept reminding me before I went in, ‘you don’t have to be a hero,’” she chuckled. “So, I went in and focused on my plan and it worked out great!”
With another stellar score of 94 in the handy round, the winning pair secured an overall total of 187, claiming the win with an eight-point lead over second place.
Geitner is thrilled to start her week off on such a high note, especially before she competes in the 2024 WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship powered by Gary Yeomans Ford tomorrow in the WEC Grand Arena, “This will be my first year doing it, so I am a little nervous. But it feels really good that I can go into the class with confidence after a great win today.”
$15,000 USHJA National 3’ Junior Hunter Derby Results:
1 Banks Mill, Lillian Geitner, Daniel Geitner: 93 | 94 | 187
2 Milan, McKayla Brombach, Anne Miller Morton: 89 | 90 | 179
3 Bond, Elizabeth Rinehart, Elizabeth Rinehart: 87 | 91 | 178
4 Chablis 162, Khloe McSwain, Khloe McSwain: 86 | 88 | 174
5 Dance Music, Avery Sheppard, Craig Allen: 85 | 87 | 172
6 Frist And Goal, Jessica Gulden, Karen Robinson Dickman: 83.5 | 80 | 163.5
7 Semi-Automatic C, Taylor Matalon, Matalon Equestrian LLC: 83.5 | 78 | 161.5
8 Chorus, Maddie Tosh, Catherine Wheeler: 91 | 59 | 150
9 High Society, Adelle Alletto, Adelle Alletto: 82.5 | 64 | 146.5
10 Kingston Blue, Elizabeth Rinehart, Claire Rockacy: 88 | 58 | 146
Reynolds Cole and Square Won Land the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Amateur Hunter Derby Victory
In the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Amateur Hunter Derby, Reynolds Cole emerged triumphant aboard Balmoral’s Square Won (Cornet Obolensky x Zaza Di Villagana).
Cole guided the nine-year-old Warmblood gelding through a stunning first round, earning an impressive score of 93.
Today marked Cole’s first ride on Square Won. “It was actually my first time riding him! Balmoral farm owns him. I had so much fun riding him, he’s such a talented horse. He’s so kind and really tries for you.”
Returning for the handy round in the lead, Cole adopted a straightforward approach. “I don’t know the horse very well, so my goal was just to be consistent and give him a good ride, but keep it simple. I thought I did well and he for sure gave his all in both rounds.”
Cole secured another commendable score of 89, resulting in a two-round total of 182, for the victory.
Cole shared her thoughts about World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) after her win, “I love WEC! I’ve been showing at WEC – Wilmington since I was 13. I’ve loved showing here in Ocala because everyone is so nice, and the facilities are like no other. The courses always ride and look amazing, and the horses just love it.”
$15,000 USHJA National 3’ Amateur Hunter Derby Results:
1 Square Won, Reynolds Cole, Balmoral: 93 | 89 | 182
2 Canyon, Brittany Warden, Glebe Ventures LLC: 87 | 90 | 177
3 Silent Partner, Marcy Tremblay, Marcy Tremblay: 84 | 88 | 172
4 Ohana, Madison Pape, Madison Pape: 86 | 82 | 168
5 Small Safari, Augusta Iwasaki, Iwasaki & Reilly: 92 | 70.5 | 162.5
6 Star Attraction, Gabriella Matteucci, Gabriella Matteucci: 82 | 80 | 162
7 Gibson, Christa Carson, Galemont Farm LLC: 74 | 82 | 156
8 Quicken 2 PR, Catherine Moorhead, PLC Farm: 78 | 77 | 155
9 Duplicate Copy SF, Payten Conn, Payten Conn: 81 | 73 | 154
10 Frederik, Laine Foshee, The Mrm Group: 75 | 63 | 138
‘THE STYLE OF RIDING AWARD’
Before the start of the handy round in the $20,000 Golden Ocala 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby, Bill Rube presented the prestigious Style of Riding Award to Ava Barnes for her classic style and her sportsmanship. The recipient serves as a role model for preserving the integrity and tradition of equestrian sport. “This award is very special to me because the recipient of this award pays it forward both in and out of the show ring,” says Rube. Barnes received an elegant duffel bag and wore a white rose corsage on her lapel throughout the handy round to signify her achievement.
Spectators are welcome! From now until March 24, 2024, experience the thrill of the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Explore the daily class schedule, orders of go, class counts, and final results on HorseShowing.com. For real-time scoring, check out Ryegate.Live.
A limited number of weekly stalls remain for the 2024 Winter Spectacular Show Series, book your stall today!
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