Category Archives: USHJA

Morrissey, Propp, and Calicchio Share the Spotlight in $10k USHJA National Hunter Derby

Tiffany Morrissey with Copernicus K. © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – February 25, 2022 – Week 7 of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Lugano Diamonds, featured top hunter and jumper competition at two facilities on Thursday, February 25. Hunter riders took their turn on the grass Derby Field at Equestrian Village in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, which awarded prizes to the top 12 in sections for Open, Junior, and Amateur out of 110 entries. Victories went to Tiffany Morrissey riding Dr. Kathryn Withers’s Copernicus K, Clara Propp on Aquitaine Equine’s Inquisitive, and Angela Calicchio with City Walk, owned by Cali Horse Sales LLC.

In the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, all three winners would equal or better their first-round scores with their second handy round. Morrissey and Copernicus K entered the handy round in fifth place with a plan, after a first-round score of 93, which included high option points. They moved up to the win with a second-round score of 95, giving them a total of 188.

Along with their derby win, Morrissey and Copernicus K were presented with the Champion Equine Insurance Hunter Style Award by Laura Fetterman. Kelsey Epperson and Didgereedoo VDL, owned by Lashier Properties LLC, finished in second with an overall score of 187.25 points. Colin Syquia and Cynthia Sulzberger’s Front Page were third with 186 points.

In the Junior section, Clara Propp and Inquisitive also came into the second round looking to improve their rank after a first-round score of 85. The two sat in sixth place, but with only a fairly recent return to the ring.

The plan led to a second-round score of 92, giving them 177 for the win. Neither Propp nor Inquisitive are new to derbies, and they both thoroughly enjoy them. Propp finished fourth in last year’s derby with Arabesque and won a pony derby at WEF as well.

Second place in the Junior section went to Sydney Raidy and Dominik, owned by Joe Currais. They finished with a score of 176. Just behind with a score of 173 in third place were Elizabeth Lowham-Ruzzo and her own Secret’s Out.

Unlike Morrissey and Propp, Calicchio started her handy round in the top position with a score of 84.

The pair equaled their first-round score with another 84 to win on 168. City Walk is a 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding and had a career change once Calicchio acquired him.

Lindsay Mutschler and her own Concord finished second with a total score of 153, while third place with a score of 152 went to Leah Patipa and her own Regard.

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Laskano Takes Top Spot in $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby 2*

Jimmy Torano and Laskano © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – January 6, 2022 – Hunters were the highlight on Friday, January 7, 2022, at the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), as Jimmy Torano and Isalou Inc.’s Laskano took the top spot in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby 2*.

After securing the second spot in round one with a score of 182 out of 26 entries, Jimmy Torano piloted Laskano around a twisty second round with bold and precise execution to finish top of the field with a second-round score of 211 and a total of 393.

McLain Ward Notches First 2022 WEF Win

Four-time Olympic medalist McLain Ward (USA) notched his first win of the 2022 WEF circuit on Friday in the $6,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Speed Challenge on Bonnie M Z over 44 other entries. The pair sped to victory in 60.780 seconds over the Eric Hasbrouck-designed course. Finishing just off the pace in second place were Laura Chapot (USA) and Out of Ireland, owned by Chapot and The Edge, who stopped the timers in 61.304 seconds. Catherine Tyree (USA) and Newton van het Krekelhof were third in 65.324 seconds.

Ward and Bonnie M Z showed on Wednesday and improved to a winning performance in Friday’s 1.40m class. Ward got the ride on Bonnie M Z two weeks ago through the Holtgers family of Gut Einhaus LLC. Ward has started a new partnership with them and will train Ansgar Holtgers Jr. Gut Einhaus entered into ownership of the horse in 2018, and he has been ridden by Olympic champions Eric Lamaze of Canada and Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED).

“They asked me to ride the horse and see what I thought he could be,” said Ward of the 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Bentley Van De Heffinck x Berlin. “He’s done up to three-star grand prix. The Holtgers have owned him for a few years, and now we’re getting started with him.”

For more information and results, please visit www.PBIEC.com.

Eleanor Rudnicki Sets the Pace for USEF Show Jumping Talent Search 2*

Eleanor Rudnicki and Flugel. Photo Courtesy of Shawn McMillen Photography.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 21, 2021 – The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search 2* was the lead Equitation event in the Walnut Arena on Saturday morning at the Kentucky Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Texan Eleanor Rudnicki topped a field of 12 young athletes in the competitive division. Augusta Iwasaki was awarded second place with Lion King Van’T Eigenlo and Natalie Jayne rounded out the top three on Charisma.

The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search 2* track, designed by Jasen Shelley, consisted of 14 efforts and included a one-stride, a triple combination, and several technical bending lines around the ring. Riders had the option to jump an open-water jump or an oxer for the fifth obstacle on the course. Following the jumping phase, all 12 riders were invited back for the flat portion of the class, bidding them one final chance to make a positive impression on the judges. Rudnicki and Linda Langmeir’s Flugel continued to impress the judges, ultimately capturing the win at the conclusion of the two phases.

Hunt Tosh and Cannon Creek Cap Off Successful Week as Champion of USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship

The grand finale of the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship took center stage on Saturday night in the Rolex Arena. The best hunter athletes from all corners of the United States came prepared to showcase their talents in front of the fixated spectators vying for a share of the prize money totaling more than $300,000. After 38 total trips between the Section A and Section B rounds, Hunt Tosh and Cannon Creek emerged victorious after dominating the competition from the get-go. Samantha Schaefer and Caristo were awarded Reserve Champion honors, while Elizabeth Boyd and Cassico ended up third. Laena Romond had the unique distinction of being fifth in Section A while also being named the Champion of Tier II with Uptown. Evan Coluccio and Radio City were the Reserve Champion of Section B class.

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.

Hunt Tosh and Christopher Payne Emerge Victorious in USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship

David O’Brien and Olivia SCF. Photo courtesy of Shawn McMillen Photography.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 19, 2021 – The conclusion of the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship took place Thursday morning in the Walnut Ring at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Round 1 of the Green Hunter 3’6” and 3’9” Championship was first in the ring to try their hand at the 8-obstacle course that was set forth to challenge the 48-horse and rider combinations by course designer Bobby Murphy. After a competitive first round, 30 athletes were invited back for the final round of the Incentive Championship, with Hunt Tosh taking the lead in round one aboard Chorus.

The Green Hunter 3’0” and 3′ 3” Championship section saw another set of 30 top athletes who had been competing for their seed position over the last two days. Hunt Tosh and Twain once again rode to victory in the Green Hunter 3’0” and 3’3” Incentive Championship after earning an outstanding score of 276 in the Championship Round.

The Green 3’6” and 3’9” Incentive Championship was the feature class for the day, with 30 of the top horse and rider pairs battling for the top position. In the end, Christopher Payne and Reign were crowned the title of Green 3’6” and 3’9” Incentive Champion.

David O’Brien Pilots Olivia SCF to Win $5,000 140m at Kentucky Bluegrass Festival

Elite jumpers converged on the Rolex Stadium Thursday morning during the third day of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Fourteen horse and rider pairs contended for the top prize offered in the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumper class. Only four competitors accomplished clear rounds, and of those four, it was David O’Brien (IRL) and Olivia SCF who finished out their day with the blue ribbon. Nicholas Dello Joio and Centuria 7 took second, while Wim Janssen rounded out the podium aboard Durango VDL.

Tosh and Cannon Creek Clinch Round One of USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 20, 2021 – Friday morning in the Rolex Arena saw the start of one of the most famous hunter competitions on the annual calendar, the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship. With a list of 86 athletes on the roster, the order of go was a who’s-who of the top hunter riders from all corners of the United States. After successfully navigating an impressive 12-obstacle course designed by Bobby Murphy, Hunt Tosh and Cannon Creek topped the field with a score of 291, followed by Victoria Colvin and El Primero, who were awarded a score of 284, and rounding out the top three was Scott Stewart and Hudson who earned a score of 279.5.

Daniel Geitner and Fazous Take Top Honors in $25,000 Bluegrass Classic

Show jumping competition at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show returned to the Rolex Arena Friday, August 20, to welcome athletes for the $25,000 Bluegrass Classic. As the concluding class of the day, 52 horse-and-rider combinations entered hopeful to close out Friday’s competition with a win. Just nine pairs managed clear rounds over the tactful course, and it was ultimately Daniel Geitner and Fazous who managed two double-clear efforts to take home the lion’s share of the prize money. Grace Debney aboard her mount Boheme De La Roque is crowned second, while Camille Maddrix and Jack Straw round out the top three.

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.

Hunt Tosh and Twain Top Leaderboard on Day Two of Green Hunter Incentive Championship

Hunt Tosh and Twain.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 18, 2021 – Round two of the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship got underway at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show on Wednesday at 8:30 am in the Walnut Ring. 123-horse and rider combinations came back in no particular order to vie for their spot in the final championship round. Hunt Tosh and Twain took over the top spot of the leaderboard to secure the overall standing. Holly Orlando also moved up aboard her longtime mount, Waverly, to secure the second overall position. Scott Stewart and Fine Art held onto their third-place standing in the competitive class.

Future Champions Kick Off Jumper Competition

Young jumper competition kicked off the first day of the jumper competition in the Rolex Arena at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show on Wednesday. The 5-year-old, 6-year-old, and 7-year-old jumper classes took place back-to-back showcasing the top prospective show horses to compete for the blue ribbons and valuable experience. The first-place finishers were David O’Brien and Qualito SCF in the 5-year-olds, Kelly Arani and Procyon SCF in the 6-year-olds, and Sarah Sturges with Bradley in the 7-year-old class.

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.

Victoria Colvin and Doctor’s Orders Lead Day One of USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship

Victoria Colvin and Doctor’s Orders.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 17, 2021 – The Bluegrass Festival Horse Show kicked off in the Walnut Ring Tuesday morning with the first round of the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship. 126 of the nation’s top hunter equestrians took center stage as they rode to try and take an early and commanding lead during day one of the competition. The Incentive Championship will take place over three days, as the horses are judged on their form and style throughout each round. Victoria Colvin leads day one after placing first on Doctor’s Orders and second on Mastermind, while Hunt Tosh and Twain round out the top three.

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.

Cassandra Orpen Wins Final Ribbon of Kentucky Summer in $5k USHJA National Hunter Derby

Lexington, Ky. – Aug 1, 2021 – Competition at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show came to a conclusion Sunday evening with the featured hunter class of the week, the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. A total of 41 junior, amateur, and professional athletes took to the derby ring in hopes of claiming World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) points and the largest share of the prize. Topping the rest of the pack with their style and precision were Cassandra Orpen and Impression who joined forces after two years apart to take home the winning title at Kentucky Summer Horse Show.

Reid Arani and Kathryn Hall Secure Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumper Wins

Show jumping focus shifted to amateur-owner and junior show jumping competitors in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show Sunday afternoon. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SJHOF) Classics took center stage in the arena to wrap up the week’s competition. In the end, it was Reid Arani and Freetown who claimed the victory in the SJHOF High Junior Jumper Classic, sponsored by Johnson Horse Transportation. Kathryn Hall and All In 9 nabbed top prize in the SJHOF High Jumper Classic, sponsored by Audi of Lexington.

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.

Evana Somareddy and Goldrush Win $10k USHJA Pony Hunter Derby

Evana Somareddy and Goldrush ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 10, 2021 – Ponies stepped into the spotlight in Tryon Stadium during Tryon Summer 4/Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity II at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC) during Saturday’s $10,000 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby presented by Star Stable. Evana Somareddy (Clearwater, FL) aboard her own Goldrush took first place honors with a combined score of 170. Elle Boyd (Camden, SC) received second and third place honors on Finally Farm’s Sugarbrook Pink-N-Blue, the 2007 medium Welsh Pony (Blue Who x Tropical Breeze) producing a score of 168, along with Baby Blue, the 2003 small Welsh Pony (Blue Rain x Unknown), who earned a two-round total of 167.

Thirty-six pony riders cantered around the Andres Christiansen course resulting in a handy cutoff score of 76. Somareddy and the 2008 medium Welsh Pony Cross with unknown breeding tackled the classic round with a score of 85, and earned another 85 in the handy round to come out on top. Somareddy said she owes all success to “Monty,” who was “perfect” and “so much fun.” Somareddy enjoyed riding the course, saying, “I kind of was just going around saying, ‘Okay! We’re doing this! First line is done. I love this!’ And before I knew it, it was at the end and we were jumping through the two-stride! And I was just like, ‘Good boy!’”

Somareddy walked in the ring with a mix of jitters and confidence, saying, “I was kind of nervous because I’ve never shown in a big stadium before. But Monty just came in for me and he was amazing. Also, I just want to give my thanks to Schuler Dayner for helping me prep Monty and making him perfect. It was really so much fun! I couldn’t have done it better.”

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

Tori Colvin and Ipso Facto Finesse the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at TIEC

Tori Colvin and Ipso Facto ©Mackenzie Clark.

Mill Spring, NC – May 21, 2021 – Victoria Colvin (USA) and Glade Run Farm LLC’s Ipso Facto scored a two-round total of 391 to claim the win in Friday’s $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, concluding a double derby day at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (TIEC), which also featured a $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Claiming reserve honors in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, Greg Crolick (USA) and Testify, the 2014 Hanoverian gelding (Cassini II x Valencia T) owned by Jon Cotton, earned a two-round score of 387. Crolick also earned fifth aboard Kuore, the 2012 Polish Warmblood gelding owned by Renaud Farm, LLC, on a total of 364. In collecting both third and fourth place, Michael Britt-Leon (USA) received a total score of 371.5 aboard Kelly Sims’ Private I, the 2012 Oldenburg gelding (Corrado x Verdi). Britt-Leon guided Kelly Sims’ entry Bacchus to fourth on a score of 370.75 with the 2013 Hanoverian gelding (Bisquet Balou x Feliz V/D Donkhoeve).

The course set by Andres Christiansen (USA) challenged 23 entries in the first round, with the cutoff to challenge the handy round set at 159. When the top 12 riders had concluded their second performance, it was Colvin who topped Crolick’s first-round lead for the win. As it was only the second international derby for the 2013 NRPS gelding (Douglas x Emmasinaa-a), Colvin was proud of her mount’s performance and thankful that the first round track “wasn’t too difficult or scary” for him.

“The first round rode nicely. It was a nice course, and it wasn’t too difficult or scary, which was nice for him. This is only his second derby,” she revealed. “He was [recently] champion in the Low Children’s at Aiken, with a 12-year-old. So, yeah, he went very well! I did one international derby with him, and this is my second. He’s very good at it!”

After watching the second round unfold, Colvin saw that tight turns were the name of the game if she wanted a competitive score. “Everyone went pretty handy [in the second round] and almost all of them had good scores, so I thought that I had to do all of the inside turns and hope he knew where I was going,” she detailed.

“There were lots of inside turns, but he was great. The tightest one was to the last jump – that oxer came up really quickly!” Colvin concluded, “He went fantastic, and I’m thankful to have the ride on him.”

Greg Crolick and Calisto Claim $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

Greg Crolick (Clarkston, MI) and Jon Cotton’s Calisto conquered a field of 40 entries to earn the win in Friday morning’s $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at TIEC, scoring 184 over two rounds with the 2012 Selle Francais gelding (Arko x Kambera Vilelongue). Matt Cyphert (Argyle, TX) and Katie McDonnell’s Crimson Tide, the 2008 Hanoverian gelding (Lordanos x Elfe), claimed reserve on a score of 181. In third, Jimmy Torano (Wellington, FL) and Moonlight, the Isalou, Inc. entry and 2012 Hanoverian gelding (Conthargos x Chacco Bella), added 87.5 to their first-round score to collect third and a total score of 180.5.

Crolick and Calisto have been partnered for a year and a half, he reported, and “held their own” in the first round over the Andy Christiansen track despite a tiny bobble. “He rode really smoothly in the first round. He did everything I asked him to do. He had a light rub in the first round, unfortunately, but still held his own in the score.”

Though he was hoping to navigate the handy round without executing an inside turn after the second jump, “a couple of other people did it, so that put the pressure on and I had to do it,” Crolick explained. “It worked out really well. He’s a wonderful and kind horse, and he does everything we ask him to do.”

When not dominating USHJA National Hunter Derbies, Calisto is ridden by Katherine Cotton, Crolick concluded. “Calisto is owned by Jon Cotton and his daughter, Katherine. He’s a wonderful horse. He’s a great horse for her, and he’s become a wonderful National Hunter Derby horse for me.”

For more info and results, visit www.Tryon.com.

David O’Brien and La Belle SCF Capture Win in $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix

David O’Brien and La Belle SCF.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 18, 2019 – The final day of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park concluded with the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington. Despite high temperatures, 28 horse-and-rider pairs contested Ken Krome’s course attempting to walk away with the lion’s share of the prize money. At the end of a competitive jump-off, it was David O’Brien and La Belle SCF who walked away with the day’s top honors, in addition to winning the Envisian Leading Rider of the Week award thanks to accumulating the most points in the jumper divisions throughout the week.

Luminosity Shines Bright with Geoffrey Hesslink to Win $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

The Bluegrass Festival Horse Show was bookended by the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by World Equestrian Center and Kentucky Horse Shows, on Sunday to complete a week of exciting equestrian action. In their first ever class together, Geoffrey Hesslink and Luminosity topped the scorecard following two standout rides to top the field of 40 starters and earn the lead spot in the victory gallop.

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com