Wilmington, Ohio – Feature competition in the R+L Arena at Winter Classic #2 kicked off Friday afternoon with the $15,000 USHJA National Open 3’ Hunter Derby and the $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro 3’ Hunter Derby. Joseph Carnicom (USA) invited the elegant field of horse-and-athlete combinations to vie for the win with two beautifully decorated tracks. Each horse jumped in top form, but none could best Troy Hendricks and Confidant (Contucci x Windcyme) at the conclusion of both rounds.
Hendricks, owner and trainer of Kimber-View Stables in Glenmoore, Pennsylvania, dominated the R+L Arena Friday afternoon. After taking second place in the WEC Professional Medal, he returned for the $15,000 USHJA National Open 3’ Hunter Derby with great confidence aboard Deirdre Agnew’s 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Confidant.
“We have had him for a couple of years. I started riding him about a year ago to finish up his 3’ year and we just stepped him up to the 3’3” Performance Hunters and his owner just started doing him in the Amateur Owner Hunters.”
The duo returned for the handy sitting on top with a first-round score of 87. Hendricks took all of the risks and maximized opportunities to remain on top of the leaderboard as the rest of the class was putting in solid, high scoring rounds. Confidant, displaying experience beyond his years, carried Hendricks to a second-round score of 86 for a two-round total of 173 to best the field.
“I wanted to be solid. The owner wanted me to take the high options to see how he would handle it. So, I didn’t want to play it too safe, and I took a couple of shots. I didn’t do the first big option because I did not want to surprise the young horse. The second jump was so inviting since Joe (Joseph Carnicom) did such a great job with this course, and Confidant jumped it really great, so I felt good to do the rest of the high options,” Hendricks comments on his handy round.
$15,000 USHJA National Open 3’ Hunter Derby Results
1 Confidant, Troy Hendricks, Deirdre Agnew | 87 | 86 | 173
2 Corlando 49, Melissa Donnelly, Elizabeth Becker | 81.5 | 85 | 166.5
3 Udefix, Colleen Holton, Colleen Holton | 82.5 | 83 | 165.5
4 Hero, Catherine Rinehart, Luke Rinehart | 80 | 81 | 161
5 After Hours, Liz Hutchison, Robin Owens | 73 | 84 | 157
6 Wicked Good, Samantha Rothman, Donna Rothman | 79 | 76 | 155
7 Canyon Z, Lisa Bac, Lisa Bac | 75 | 77 | 152
8 MTM Bentley, Allie McBreen, Lori Taylor | 49.25 | 88 | 137.25
9 Rio Ruisseau, Ellen Jennings, Ellen Jennings | 81 | 50 | 131
10 ACA Caprion, Keely O’Hara, Ava Sweeney | 67 | 61 | 128
Alexa Bing & Subtil Snag $15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Win
Earlier in the afternoon, 18 horse-and-athlete pairs rose to the challenge in the $15,000 UHSJA National Non-Pro 3’ Hunter Derby. Competition was fierce amongst the field of stunning hunters, but none came close to Alexa Bing and Subtil (Adelfos x Isba De B’ Neville). The duo was untouchable as they were the only pair to reach scores in the 90s to take the win.
Bing, from Royersford, Pennsylvania and training out of Kimber-View Stables, possesses a long list of championship titles with her longtime mount. The 16-year-old Selle Francias gelding frequently finds himself with blue on bridle, most recently claiming reserve championship honors at the prestigious National Horse Show in the Junior Hunter 3’3” Division.
“I have had him [Subtil] for almost three years. I did him in the junior hunters for the past two years and now I am moving into the amateurs. He is all around a perfect horse. He is a barn favorite, and he absolutely loves doing his job,” Bing shares about her mount Subtil.
The duo demonstrated two foot-perfect performances, impressing the judges with their consistent rhythm and confidence. Bing entered for the handy round as the last to go and in the lead with a score of 91 in the first round. Besting her first-round performance with a 94 in the handy, she earned a total score of 185 to take top honors.
“My goal was to make everything consistent but still make all the inside turns. I was able to do that in the handy and everything came up really well, so it worked out,” comments Bing on her plan today.
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro Hunter Derby Results
1 Subtil, Alexa Bing, Alexa Bing | 91 | 94 | 185
2 Artano G, Finley Scheffel, Nori Scheffel | 84 | 60 | 164
3 Cinda, Elizabeth Becker, Elizabeth Becker | 78 | 82 | 160
4 Clayton 32, Sarah Steele, Sarah Steele | 80 | 79 | 159
5 Kadans T, Izzy Beisel, Maarten Huygens | 75 | 83 | 158
6 Clearville, Emily Kowit, Emily Kowit | 74 | 81 | 155
7 Louboutin, Tennyson Marie Halacka, Stacy Marie Halacka | 77 | 75 | 152
8 Coastline, Payton Johnson, Payton Johnson | 72 | 70 | 142
9 Espumante, Katarina Kojis, Katarina Kojis | 73 | 68 | 141
10 Campari, Marie Lafond, Maria Lafond | 69 | 68 | 137
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.
Photos courtesy of Winslow Photography
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV