Wilmington, Ohio – Sarah Duhon was met with smiles and open arms at the in-gate of the R+L Arena after Friday evening’s $15,000 CWD USHJA National Hunter Derby of WEC – Wilmington Thanksgiving in the Midwest.
Of 15 top hunter combinations, Duhon spoke nothing but positivity about her winning mount, MF Starboy, (Like Angel x Frisia), owned by Michael Britt-Leon.
“I have known Starboy for a while. I am good friends with his owner Michael [Britt-Leon] and he contacted me this summer about him. I got him in August and it took me a minute to figure out what made him tick and I truly can’t say enough good things about the horse. He jumps amazing from anywhere, has the biggest stride and is the handiest horse I have ever ridden. He gives you an incredible feeling. It is Starboy’s world and we all just live in it!”
Earning a first-round score of 92, Duhon made Joe Carnicom’s track her own, tailoring it to show off her horse’s ability.
“The track tonight was a little bit tricky in a few places. Joe [Carnicom] did a really great job of making it a rider’s track.,” Duhon noted. “You could change it according to your horse. For me, there are two reasons for these types of classes. You are either training them for the international derbies or you are getting experience for yourself. I think that tonight’s track really prepared you for an even larger venue and an even larger track.”
Returning sitting in the lead, the seven-year-old Westphalian gelding was experienced beyond his years, making every handy effort in textbook style for the highest score of the day of 94.
With an overall score of 186, Duhon and MF Starboy earned the blue by eight points.
Duhon thanked her supportive team behind-the-scenes following her well celebrated win, “Thank you to everyone behind the scenes, Tammy, Michael, Manuel and Luis. Having the opportunity to ride a horse of this caliber and be coached by Tammy Provost is what I have dreamed of my whole life.”
$15,000 CWD USHJA National Open Hunter Derby Results:
1 MF Starboy, Sarah Duhon, Michael Britt-Leon | 92 | 94 | 186
2 Bourbon Street, Tess Von Hemel, Miami University | 90 | 88 | 178
3 Kingweis WV, Greg Crolick, Amy Mulrenin | 85.5 | 91 | 176.5
4 Newspeak, Ashleen Lee, Emilie Welles | 86 | 90 | 176
5 Nandino, Samantha Cooper, Ellen Malson | 89 | 83.5 | 172.5
6 Soul Love, Tyler Petrie, Covert Equestrian |85 | 87 | 172
7 Solana, Sarah Duhon, Tamara Provost | 82 | 89 | 171
8 Quixotic, Ashley Nevidomskis, Ashley Nevidomskis | 80 | 81 | 161
9 Protégé, Greg Crolick, Kate Marie Davis | 75 | 79 | 154
10 Happy Dance, Rebecca Slater, Equine Investments LLC | 71 | 80 | 151
Jenna Drago & Sandriano Top the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby
The final Hunter Derby Friday of the Midwest Indoors Series kicked off in the R+L Arena with 22 entries in the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby. With the top three entries just few points apart, Jenna Drago ultimately returned to claim her second derby win of the fall season at WEC – Wilmington.
Aboard her seasoned derby star, Sandriano (Sandro Boy x Cool Pearl Z), Drago returned to the handy sitting on top with a first-round score of 91.
Though she was in the lead, Drago “prefers going into the handy sitting in second rather than first,” she laughed.
“The handy was difficult, so I knew as long as I showed it off and did the correct turns that I would be able to get the top spot. Sandy has a fan club. I just love him, he is perfect!”
Drago shared her thoughts as she opted for a more conservative turn to the bending line, “I went around because I wanted to get straight enough to the high option. I didn’t want to directly bend into the hedge and come in on an angle. I wanted to be straight for a good jump.”
With her 17-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Drago earned a second-round score of 90 for a two-round total of 181 to add another win to their decorated record.
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results:
1 Sandriano, Jenna Drago, Jenna Drago | 91 | 90 | 181
2 Bond, Elizabeth Rinehart, Elizabeth Rinehart | 88 | 92 | 180
3 Hero, Luke Rinehart, Ellen Brandt | 87.5 | 89 | 176.5
4 No Secret, Elizabeth Rinehart, Elizabeth Rinehart | 81 | 87 | 168
5 Conchiglie, Cayla Mackey, Equironi LLC | 82 | 83 | 165
6 Favoriet, Melanie Meyers, Melanie Meyers | 79 | 80 | 159
7 Likely, Bethany Proch, Bethany Proch | 78 | 75 | 153
8 Donatello, Addison Mae King, Addison Mae King | 77 | 75 | 152
9 All Dressed Up. Jay Potterfield-Zara, Sara Potterfield | 73 | 77 | 150
10 Amando M, Magnolia Labuda, Magnolia Labuda | 86 | 49 | 135
Make sure to visit the WEC Blog and follow us on social media @worldequestriancenter for full coverage on all feature classes!
Results can be found at horseshowing.com.
All horse show images are provided by Winslow Photography and can be purchased onsite at WEC – Wilmington or online through their website.