Sunday Spotlight: World Equestrian Center 2019 Leading Rider Awards

This week’s Sunday Spotlight shines on the individuals who received leading rider awards during last night’s award ceremony. Riders at World Equestrian Center have been working hard throughout the year to rack up points toward several exciting leading rider awards. World Equestrian Center sponsors and partners generously donated prizes including a $5,000 EquiJet voucher and a Flexi Equine tack locker.

World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows LLC
USHJA National Hunter Derby Series Leading Rider Awards

Jeff Gogul (center), Paige Beisel (left) and Christopher Coberley (right) receive the leading rider awards for the World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows LLC USHJA National Hunter Derby Series.

In 2019, World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows LLC collaborated for a third consecutive year to present a 17-show USHJA National Hunter Derby Series that took place at horse shows in Kentucky and at World Equestrian Center in between May and October.

As part of the partnership, top Pro, Amateur and Junior riders were honored with $10,000 in bonuses based on accumulated points.

For the third consecutive year, Wilmington, Ohio-based Jeff Gogul won the lion share of the Professional events, earning well over 2,100 points to secure the $5,000 Professional Rider Bonus.

Amateur rider Paige Beisel earned nearly 500 points to win the $2,500 Amateur Rider Bonus and Christopher Coberley was the top earning Junior rider with 1,225 points to receive the $2,500 Junior Rider Bonus.

Leading Non Pro and Pro USHJA National Hunter Derby Rider Awards

Christopher Coberley (left) and Melissa Donnelly (right) earned the leading rider awards for the World Equestrian Center USHJA $20,000 Hunter Derby during our Fall horse shows. Both riders received a brand new saddle from WEC sponsor, Antares Sellier.

Last night’s awards ceremony recognized two riders as the highest scoring Pro and Non Pro riders in the weekly WEC USHJA $20,000 Hunter Derbies during our Fall horse shows. Melissa Donnelly was the Professional rider earning the most points in the World Equestrian Center USHJA $20,000 Hunter Derby during our Fall horse shows; while Christopher Coberley earned the most as a Non Pro. We were pleased to award both riders with new saddles from World Equestrian Center sponsor, Antares Sellier.

EquiJet Leading Young Professional Rider Award

Michaella Gerlacher receives the 2019 EquiJet Leading Young Professional Rider Award.

Michaella Gerlacher was the recipient of the 2019 EquiJet Leading Young Professional Rider Award. EquiJet created this special award to honor the professional rider under 30 years of age who accumulated the most points showing at World Equestrian Center since January 1, 2019. Michaella received a $5,000 voucher from EquiJet.

Flexi Equine Leading Jumper Rider Award

David Beisel receives the Flexi Equine Leading Jumper Rider Award

David Beisel rode away with the Flexi Equine Leading Jumper Rider Award, presented to the rider that has earned the most money in the Jumper ring during our World Equestrian Center Spring / Summer and Fall shows. Beisel received a World Equestrian Center branded tack locker from Flexi Equine Tack Locker, presented by Flexi Equine Locker sponsor representative Trevor Gaffney.

Congratulations to all of our riders and a big thank you to our generous sponsors!