Category Archives: USHJA

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping, USHJA

Victoria Colvin and El Primero Lead First Day of USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship

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Victoria Colvin and El Primero.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 16, 2019 – The 11th edition of the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship returned to the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park on Friday morning, showcasing the best hunter horses and athletes in the country for the first of two days of competition. Offering more than $250,000 in prize money in 2019, the event has become a popular goal for challengers with exceptionally skilled horses that possess noteworthy movement and jumping style. With 76 entries tackling the classic phase of competition, horse-and-rider combinations were in top form, all fighting for a coveted spot in the top 40 to advance to Saturday evening’s championship handy round. Ultimately it was defending champion Victoria Colvin aboard El Primero who stepped up to the plate to earn the highest day one score and lead the pack.

Brian Moggre Notches Another Kentucky Win in $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix

Jumper competition took center stage Friday evening at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, where 32 exhibitors challenged the course in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix in an attempt to lead the victory gallop. As the fifth jewel of seven in the Hagyard Challenge Series, the evening class offered competitors a chance to earn a share of the day’s prize money as well as accrue points toward the season-ending $50,000 Leading Rider Award. Adding another victory to his ever-growing collection, Brian Moggre (USA) jockeyed MTM Los Angeles to the swiftest double-clear performance of the night to capture the greatest share of the prize money and extend his domination of the 2019 Hagyard Challenge Series.

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping, USHJA

Scott Stewart and Sara Taylor Top Scorecards in USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship

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Scott Stewart and Sandstone.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 15, 2019 – The finale of the 2019 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship took place at the Kentucky Horse Park on Thursday afternoon, with champions crowned in both the 3’/3’3″ and 3’6″/3’9″ sections. After leading the first two days of riding, Scott Stewart held onto his top placings to capture the win in the 3’/3″ section with Dr. Betsee Parker’s Sandstone, while Sara Taylor and Ingrid Avera’s Noah emerged victorious over the larger fences to clinch the 2019 title for the 3’6″/3’9″ group.

Hardin Towell and Angel Twist Top the Leaderboard in Classic Champions, Inc. Developing Jumper Tour 7-Year-Old Jumpers

Young, developing horses were the focal point of the Rolex Stadium on Thursday during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show as pairs gained valuable show experience as well as chased qualifying points towards the Classic Champions, Inc. Developing Jumper Tour weekend championships. Many horse-and-rider partnerships were also using Thursday’s classes as one of their final opportunities in the show ring to prepare for the year-end championships in September. Proving to be the best of the day in the Classic Champions, Inc. Developing Jumper Tour 7-Year-Old Jumpers, Hardin Towell and Taboo Holding’s Angel Twist sped to victory to add a win to the horse’s growing record. In the 6-year-old section, Mattias Ekeroth and Haydee M led the pack, while David O’Brien and Octavius SCF topped the leaderboard for the 5-year-old class.

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, USHJA

Scott Stewart and Mayflower Lead Day One of USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships

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Scott Stewart and Mayflower. Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 13, 2019 – Day one of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show kicked off with the first round of the 2019 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships. After 141 horse-and-rider combinations tried their hand at the 3′ and 3’3″ heights during Tuesday’s competition, it was Scott Stewart and Dr. Betsee Parker’s Mayflower who stole the show with a score of 267 points to take the lead and the blue ribbon. Heading into Wednesday’s second phase of competition, the pair looks to earn a slot in the top 30 that will qualify to compete in Thursday’s championship round.

Website: www.kentuckyhorseshows.com

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Tryon, USHJA

Gisele Beardsley O’Grady and Januar Jump to $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Victory

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Gisele Beardsley O’Grady and Januar ©TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – August 12, 2019 – Friday’s $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby awarded Gisele Beardsley O’Grady (Tryon, NC) the winner cooler and ribbons for her efforts aboard Ginny Barnette’s Januar, earning a two-round score of 172 to take the win. In second, Allen Nabors Jr. (Odessa, FL) piloted Lookalike, the 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Levistano x Paola), for Margot Hirsch on a score of 169, while Robert Stucky (Waxhaw, NC) and The Girl From Ipanema, a 2009 Hanoverian mare (Clinton I x Vorbuch) owned by Allie Rae Hayes, claimed third after earning a score of 166 after two rounds.

Fifteen pairs challenged the first-round course set by J. P. Godard (Aiken, SC), and it was Januar all the way after his initial score of 87. Beardsley O’Grady called the 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Junior Mariner x Poetri) “perfect” and “playful” on the way to victory.

“It went really well, so I couldn’t be happier,” said Beardsley O’Grady. “The course was nice. He’s a blast to ride, and he’s got a ton of experience, and I’m lucky to get to ride him. He’s a showman; he goes in there and shows off! So, that works in our favor.

“Everything pretty much rode to plan today. I had a couple lucky moments in the handy round, where he got a little playful, but I think they liked the way he jumped and forgave us for it! I think I could have helped him out just a little better, but everything pretty much rode to plan today. I got the advantage by riding a good horse that jumps so well! He’s perfect!”

Beardsley O’Grady emphasized that Januar is happiest in limited competition with National Derbies only, but he makes the most of every trip around the ring: “His story is a little long – he was imported a couple years ago, and has had a long recovery from a couple injuries,” she explained. “We’re lucky enough that he is back and fully recovered to be in the show ring. He has always loved showing, so I think that’s honestly also helped his recovery. He’s done really well here [at TIEC]. We do a limited amount of shows, and he just loves it every time.

“Jeanne [Smith], our trainer, and his owner, Ginny, have both obviously played a huge part in him,” Beardsley O’Grady continued. “He’s just perfect, and we love him. He’s awesome. Going forward, he will remain a National Derby horse. We want to protect him and keep him happy and sound. He’s not old, but with his prior injuries we want to keep him protected. Ginny just loves her horse, and Jeanne is such a good horseperson that she’s never going to push him,” she concluded. “They’re a really good team for him!”

For full results from the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, click here.

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USHJA

TIEC Welcomes USHJA Zone 3 & 4 Jumper Team and Platinum Championships

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Laura Bishop and Vinyasa ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 13, 2019 – The USHJA Zone 3 & 4 Jumper Team and Platinum Championships are proudly hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) July 11-14 as part of Tryon Summer 5 competition. Welcoming those who qualified in the 1.10-1.15m Children and Adult Amateur, 1.20-1.25m Junior and Amateur, and 1.30-1.35m Junior and Amateur Divisions, the event consists of three days of team and individual competition. 2019 USHJA Zone 3 & 4 Jumper Team and Platinum Championships participants are navigating courses designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) in Tryon Stadium at TIEC, taking center stage at the venue. The week began with Individual competition on Thursday, with Team competition hosted Friday ahead of Saturday’s Individual finals.

Zone 3 & 4 Adult-Amateur Jumper Team Competition Captured by Zone 3 Team 3

On Friday afternoon, 19 pairs competed in the Zone 3 & 4 Adult-Amateur Jumper Team Competition. Zone 3 Team 3 was victorious after the second round of competition, taking home the gold medal. The team was comprised of Diana Harris (Creedmoor, NC) on Flair WS, Megan Kutcher (Fletcher, NC) on So High, Laura Bishop (Washington, DC) on Vinyasa, and Juliette Landis (Daniels, WV) on Shiraz.

The team unanimously agreed that they have enjoyed the courses Cabral created for competitors. Bishop revealed she had to adjust some of her strategy going into round two: “I thought it was a really fun course. In the first round I couldn’t get him off my right leg, so I went into the second round and really got him off the right leg and he jumped clean for me!”

Bishop, competing at Zone Championships for the first time as part of a team, was unsure if she would get the opportunity to participate in USHJA Zone Championships again once she started college, she revealed. “I go to George Washington University, and my parents were going to make me sell my horse when I [went to college], but I got a full-ride scholarship through ROTC. I was like, ‘can we keep the horse now?’ So I still have a horse and, hopefully, will be a Marine Corps Officer in two years.” Bishop continued, “I went in Zone 9 Champs in 2015 and didn’t have a team, so it was really nice for me to come back and have a team experience. USHJA has done a great job at developing this program over the past four years since I did it.”

First-time Zone Championship qualifier Kutcher, an Asheville native, was excited to share this experience so close to home. “This is my first year qualifying for Zones, so it’s been a very exciting experience and I feel like it’s a wonderful team experience to go through,” Kutcher commented. “This is actually our home base; we live in Asheville, and love coming down here. It’s been a little hot, but it’s such a wonderful facility and we’ve really enjoyed it.”

Children’s Team Championship Dominated by Zone 4 Team 4

Zone 4 Team 4 took Gold in the Children’s Team Championship, finishing two rounds with a total of one fault to claim the win. Naomi Hartman (Milton, FL) aboard her own La Vita Loca, Ana Ramos (Ocala, FL) aboard her own Jorno, Avery Moore (Atlanta, GA) riding her own Papaver LS, and Caterina Sinibaldi (Hoover, AL) riding her own Cartegena handled the pressure of the Tryon Stadium atmosphere as a team to earn the victory for a memorable experience that was “stressful, but really fun,” they shared.

“It has been a journey to get here, definitely,” said Hartman. “I have not really been doing 1.10m a whole lot because my horse and I have been kind of in-and-out. So, this has been a really good experience for me to get back into the saddle and win this! We have never been to a horse show this size. I’ve had my Thoroughbred for about two years now, and doing this is the biggest accomplishment – especially doing Zones for the first time and to win with my team – it is amazing.”

Ramos, who’s been paired with her horse since January, shared, “It was really fun; it has always been like a dream, and this is my first Zone Championships. I am used to only controlling what I can do [as an Individual] and obviously you can’t control what other people do. So you really have to put your trust in other people.”

Teammate Moore echoed: “This is my first year here, and in past years I’ve gotten to see my friends come and compete. I never had the chance to, and now I have, and it is a dream come true. It was super exciting and I am really happy that I got to come,” she said. “This is my favorite show venue, and we come here all the time. I am so excited to participate in such a big event.”

Sinibaldi agreed, sharing, “It was my first year competing in the US, and so coming here is a dream and to win is amazing. I love it. I want to come back next year!”

Team chef d’equipe Megan Thiel is a second-year coach, and got involved after bringing her students in the past. “I love this program. It is a great educational program; it goes farther than their ribbons today. They get [free] clinics after this, and they get to be gold star athletes. The trainers also get to be gold star coaches, and it really helps everybody.” She concluded, “Also, I think it is a super interesting way for them to compete, on a team versus individually. You never know, some of these divisions today were really anybody’s luck. It is really cool, and keeps you on your toes all day.”

USHJA Zone 3 & 4 Jumper Championships and Platinum Championship Team Results:

In Zone 3/4 Platinum Jumper 1.40m-1.45m Team Competition, Zone 4 Team 1 took Gold after the performances by Marquee Cincotta (Odessa, FL) aboard her own Granaat, Ashley Pace (Atlanta, GA) and her own ZZ-Top VH Schaarbroek Z, Jesse Smith (Wellington, FL) and her own Charles Pinckney Windsor Z, and Lauren Balcomb (Citra, FL) and her own Verdini D’Houtveld Z.

Zone 3 dominated Zone 3/4 Junior/Amateur 1.30m-1.35m Team Competition, with rides from Angela Pollex (Troutman, NC) and her own Elbo VDL, Kara Jones (Cornelius, NC) and her own End Game, Emma Pell (Winchester, VA) and Santos, Judy Sutton (Maggie Valley, NC) and her own Win A Date.

Zone 4 took the win in Zone 3/4 Amateur 1.20m-1.25m Jumper Team Competition, on the effort of Ashley Ann McGehee (Jacksonville Beach, FL) aboard her own Mr. Snuffleupagus, Caroline Monaghan (Birmingham, AL) and Sevani, and MacKenzie McGehee (Jacksonville, FL) riding her own Fiona Van’t Paradus.

In Zone 3/4 Junior 1.20m-1.25m Jumper Team Competition, Zone 3 took the win, with the following riders contributing to the score: Lucy Reich (Birmingham, AL) aboard her own Cuchio Z, Madison Jones (Longwood, FL) riding her own Bijoux Z, Celia Cram (Aiken, SC) and her own Auspicious, and Anissa Jessee (Tampa, FL) riding Stransky’s Mission Farms Inc.’s Nenuphar’Jac.

USHJA Zone 3 & 4 Jumper Championships and Platinum Championship First Round Individual Results:

In Thursday’s first round of USHJA Platinum Jumper Championship division, Nicole Loochtan (Lincolnshire, IL) and her own Caiman des Sequoias rode to victory, stopping the timers at 70.3 seconds. Lauren Balcomb (Citra, FL) and her own Verdini finished in second with a time of 70.758 seconds. Finishing off the podium was Marquee Cincotta (Odessa, FL) and her own Granaat, finishing with a final time of 71.738-seconds.

The first Individual round of competition for the USHJA Zone 3/4 Junior/Amateur 1.30-1.35m Jumper Division saw Roberto Teran (Malabar, FL) and his own Arnac Du Mazes earn the first-place position with a clear round and time of 60.596 seconds. Second place in the division was awarded to Fox View Farm’s FVF Sailor Man with Christina Webb (Raleigh, NC), navigating the course fault-free in a time of 62.647 seconds. Hallie Rush (Prospect, TN) and her own Emiel earned third-place honors with a clear round in a time of 65.736 seconds.

Fiona Van’t Paradijs, owned and ridden by Mackenzie McGehee (Jacksonville, FL) was awarded first-place honors in the first round of the USHJA Zone 3/4 Amateur 1.20-1.25m Jumper Division, stopping the clock with 57.358 seconds. Susie Fried (Macon, GA) piloted Highridge Farm LLC’s Hakini to a second-place finish with a time of 60.948 seconds, and Ashley Ann McGehee aboard her own Mr. Snuffleupagus received third for their effort with a time of 63.434 seconds.

Natalie Pedley (Wellington, FL) and her own True Blue Mate came out on top during the first round of the Individual Zone 3/4 Junior 1.20-1.25m Jumper Division, finishing with a time of 55.848 seconds. Reed Training & Sales LLC’s Goliath, ridden by Addison Reed (Mechanicsville, VA), stopped the clock with 61.131 seconds to finish in second place, while Maya Aryal (Fairfax, VA) and her own mount Ra finished closely behind with a time of 61.28 for third place.

Alexis Mierzwa (Winchester, VA) and her own Ever Sinful raced to first place in the first round of the USHJA Zone 3/4 Adult-Amateur Jumper Championship Division with a time of 56.197 seconds. Laura Bishop (Washington, D.C.) followed closely behind with a time of 56.698 seconds aboard her own mount, Vinyasa. Tinita Hughes (Athens, GA) finished with third-place honors with Proximo, stopping the clock at 57.684 seconds.

The first round individual competition for the USHJA Zone 3/4 Children’s Jumper Division saw Ana Ramos (Ocala, FL) aboard her own Jorno gallop to victory, stopping the clock at 56.515 seconds. Avery Moore (Atlanta, GA) and her own Papaver LS followed closely behind with a final time of 56.659 seconds, earning second place. Finally, Ella Domenicone (Alpharetta, GA) and her own S-Acorada Donaldson finished with a time of 58.967 seconds, granting them third-place honors.

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon, USHJA

Julie Curtin and Cassico Defend $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Title at TIEC

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Julie Curtin and Cassico ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 5, 2019 – Julie Curtin (USA) and Cassico repeated their 2018 victory in Friday’s $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, earning a first-round score of 182 and receiving a handy score of 212 for a grand total of 394 to top the field. Harold Chopping (CAN) and Barbara Scott’s Catchphrase, a 2010 Zangersheide gelding (Marome NW x Prelude), collected scores of 160 and 193 to land in second place on a total of 353, while Kelley Farmer (USA) and As Quoted, the 2013 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Zambesi TN x Bybalia SMH) owned by David Glefke, produced rounds garnering scores of 178 and 172.5 to claim third with a total of 350.5.

Curtin and the 2011 Holsteiner gelding (Carrico x Trevigiana) owned by Rebekah Warren were able to earn a repeat victory from last year’s USHJA International Hunter Derby during Tryon Summer 4, besting a competitive field of 21 entries over the Dean Rheinheimer (USA) course design. “The course rode really nicely,” Curtin reported. “There were a lot of long lines out there, which is nice, but it’s sometimes kind of easy to get lost. This is the first time I’ve ridden in this arena – Cassico actually won this same Derby last year here on the grass! It was nice – the footing is great, and the course rode really great.

“We were eight points behind [going into the handy], so I had to just go for it all,” Curtin explained of her winning strategy. “We took every tight turn, high option, and just tried to lay it down, because I knew I had some ground to catch up. We’re getting ready for Derby Finals, so I knew I had to practice. I knew it would either work or it would not, and today it worked! He’s such a scopey horse. The jumps were big, and it was hard, but he was good.”

They made up the difference – and earned their 41-point lead – in two areas, Curtin believes: in their first jump, choosing the high option, and in overall handiness. “Jump one was hard – that was a blind turn for a high option, but he handled it so well. But otherwise, I just tried to keep it tidy everywhere. And he’s so scopey that on all the tight turns it just kept coming up nicely. The two-stride came out a little long, but he just got right up there and handled everything beautifully.”

While Derby Finals is the next goal in focus, Cassico will be Curtin’s ride in National and International Derbies for a long time to come, she hopes. “He’s still young and has a big future, so we’re really excited. Hopefully, Derby Finals will go well, but then his mother is going to start showing him; I will just do Derbies with him and let him be an amateur horse. Right now, I’m doing Derbies and High Performance with him, but we’ll back down a little bit and let her ride him in the Amateurs. Hopefully, I’ll have him for the next eight years to do Derbies on!”

Curtin, who also earned second in Friday morning’s $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, concluded, “It was a very good day! Tough competition – it’s always a tough competition when Kelly [Farmer] and Evan [Coluccio] have as many horses as they had each! I’m very happy about the win.”

For full results from the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, click here.

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Tryon, USHJA

Daniel Geitner and One Request Granted $50k USHJA International Hunter Derby Win

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Daniel Geitner and One Request ©Sportfot.

Tryon, NC – June 7, 2019 – Daniel Geitner (USA) and Elizabeth Tarumianz’s One Request were awarded top honors in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) with an overall score of 371. Holly Shepherd (USA) with Tybee, a 2007 Hanoverian gelding by Black Tie owned by Helen Brown, finished in second place on a total score of 349. Erin Floyd (USA) claimed third place aboard Any Given Sunday, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding by Indoctro x Victoria owned by Hays Investment Corp., with a score of 347.

Out of 21 pairs to take part in the highlight Hunter class of the Tryon Spring 6 Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity Show, Geitner and the 2010 Selle Francais gelding impressed the judges over the course set by Dean Rheinheimer (USA) and secured first place after their handy performance. Last to go in the second round, Geitner was able to observe competitors ahead of him and adjusted his strategy accordingly, he explained.

“It was a beautiful course. It rode a little trickier than it walked. It walked relatively simple and it just rode a little bit trickier than I think we first thought,” Geitner said. “My original plan [in the handy] was to go to the inside to the two stride, but once I realized I probably didn’t have to, it made it relatively easy. Honestly, his [One Request] jumping style is just spectacular, so I just tried to stay out of his way.

“The jumps were beautiful and my horse obviously jumped amazing,” Geitner continued. “This is only his third Derby, and he’s won two of them now. Last year he did the first years, green conformation, and the amateurs with his owner. This year we’ve done just a couple shows.”

Despite his horse’s newness to the International Derby ring, Geitner reported that One Request took to the atmosphere of Tryon Stadium well: “He was great [in the atmosphere]. Not much phases him, and actually it really had him jumping. He was not close to any jump, and really rose to the occasion,” he said. “I thought the first round was great, and I thought he was even better in the handy. He just jumped higher and higher the more we went.”

Geitner will keep competing One Request in more Derbies, hoping to continue their success thus far, and plans to aim for Derby Finals ahead of the indoor season, he explained. “We just got back from Devon. We sent some ponies here a couple weeks ago with our assistant, but this is our first week. We are happy to be back.

“Unfortunately, we go back home next week, but we come back in July for a couple weeks and for sure a few weeks in the fall,” concluded Geitner. “I personally won’t come back here for Pony Spectacular [Tryon Summer 3] but I hope my wife and some of the pony kids are!”

For full results from the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, click here.

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

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Tryon, USHJA

Amberlee Wentz and Up in Smoke Conquer $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at TIEC

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Amberlee Wentz and Up in Smoke ©TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – May 31, 2019 – Amberlee Wentz of Colorado Springs, CO guided Dana Vollbracht’s Up in Smoke to a win in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), earning a two-round score of 168.5. In second, Luke Jensen (Denton, TX) rode Jill Barnett’s Coraggio PF to a 168 after two rounds, while Sara Ketcham and Claire de Lune Farm’s Hudson claimed third place on a score of 165 to represent Columbus, NC.

Nineteen horse-and-rider combinations tested the Skip Bailey (Chicago, IL) course design, and Wentz piloted two mounts of the 12 returning for the handy round, placing fourth aboard Dana Vollbracht’s Davidson on a score of 164.

“The course rode great,” Wentz reported. “It was a nice, fluid course, with only one related distance line and we just went out and had fun.”

Wentz and Up in Smoke have “been doing a few Derbies here and there,” Wentz relayed, but “this is his first Derby win with me. He normally does the 3’3″ Performance classes with me, before the Derbies, and then he shows with his mom.”

Having experienced 20 inches of snow at home in Colorado the week before competing at TIEC for the first time, Wentz admitted that “we are not sure we are going home! We love it – it’s amazing here. Everything that’s been done here, they have given great attention to detail from not only the bathrooms and the barns, but to how the entire grounds are set up,” she continued. “We are thrilled to be here, and staying on-site in one of the cabins, which is absolutely amazing.”

Wentz noted that her barn has traveled for competitions across the country, from Colorado to Texas and Kentucky, and that her horses are able to handle significant venue changes easily:

“The horses have all been pretty experienced and have shown quite a bit throughout the country at different venues. I am just really lucky to have great-minded horses; they have all been pretty good about all the new atmosphere,” she concluded.

For full results from the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, click here.

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

Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, USHJA

Victoria Colvin Rides to Back-to-Back USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships

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Photo: Victoria Colvin and Private Practice.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 20, 2018 – Known for her prowess in the hunter ring, Victoria Colvin capped off a winning week in Kentucky at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show with her exceptional victory in the 2018 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, making her one of only two riders in the program’s history to capture the tricolor more than once. The 2017 champion solidified her reign as one of the country’s elite hunter riders by besting more than 80 entries in the most premiere hunter competition of the year. This time, Colvin piloted Brad Wolf’s Private Practice to two days of standout scores in the classic and handy round to finish more than 16 points ahead of the rest of the pack, claiming the championship honors in impressive fashion.

“I am so thrilled to be on the top of the podium again this year! Private Practice is an outstanding horse with so much natural ability, and I have loved riding him this year. He certainly deserves this win, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for him,” commented Colvin. “I couldn’t have gotten here without the support of my sponsors, and I have to also congratulate owner Brad Wolf and trainer Tom Wright for producing such an incredible horse. Hopefully we can do it again next year!”

After the first day of competition, Colvin and Private Practice sat in second position just a handful of points behind the early leaders. During the final handy round of riding, the partners improved upon their performance, riding to a nearly perfect score of 327 comprised of individual marks of 95, 96 and 96 plus 12 bonus points and 28 handy points to jump to the top of the leaderboard with the highest score for the evening and overall.

In the post-event press conference, judge Carlton Brooks shed his insight on what set Colvin and Private Practice ahead of the rest:

“Tori’s horse jumped every jump exactly the same. She never changed her pace. It really separated her and there was no question. Tori never missed a lick. Tori walked in the ring and it was the Tori Colvin that we all know and love,” reflected Brooks.

The 8-year-old Private Practice is a newfound hunter after recently transitioning from the jumper ring, and this is his first year with Colvin in the irons. The solid partnership was led to victories in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the Palm Beach Masters Series’ Deeridge Derby and the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Aiken Charity Horse Show. Additionally, he has carried Colvin to fourth place in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival and sixth place in the prestigious $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Winter Equestrian Festival, not to mention countless prizes in upper-level hunter divisions at horse shows throughout the year.

With their 2018 win, Private Practice helped Colvin to add her to the history books, as she can now boast her status as the second athlete to champion the event more than once as well as the second athlete to win the rosette back-to-back during the program’s 10-year history. With two championships now under her belt, it is a good bet Colvin will continue to reign in the hunter ring and return to the 2019 finale for another shot at the top honors.

Following a highly successful junior career as one of the winningest young riders in history, Colvin launched her own enterprise in the hunter/jumper industry based just outside of Wellington, Florida. She offers clients the opportunity to train with an acclaimed show rider/trainer and compete in “AA” horse shows across North America during the spring and fall, as well as compete in Wellington at the world-famous Winter Equestrian Festival during the winter season. Outside of training and coaching services, Victoria Colvin, LLC also includes a strong focus on finding, developing, and selling quality young show horses.

For more information, please visit www.victoriacolvin.com.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, USHJA

Private Practice Carries Victoria Colvin to Repeat USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship

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Photo: Victoria Colvin and Private Practice.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 18, 2018 – Living up to her reputation, 2017 champion Victoria Colvin once again reigned supreme in the 2018 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, defending her title this time aboard Brad Wolf’s Private Practice. Hunter superstar Colvin and Private Practice were accompanied Saturday evening by 33 of the nation’s top hunter horses and athletes, ultimately jumping into a league all their own with a 16.5-point victory over the next closest competitor to easily secure the lead spot in the victory gallop and the greatest share of the nearly $300,000 purse. No stranger to finishing within the top of the rankings, Liza Boyd stylishly piloted both of her mounts to a podium finish, claiming the runner-up honors with Clemens and the third place slot with Tradition.

Throughout the entirety of the class, the lead consistently changed hands as horse-and-athlete partnerships one-upped each other in the eyes of the judges. Within the last half of the class, the lead changed no less than five times, with Meagan Murray-Tenuta on Becky Price’s Editorial, Jamie Taylor aboard Iwasaki and Reilly’s Small Kingdom and Dorothy Douglas in the saddle on MTM Farm’s MTM One Time each taking a turn commanding the class.

True to handy round standards, veteran course designers Alan Lohman and Danny Moore constructed a winding 11-effort track that incorporated a trot jump, lofty high-option fences and inside turn options in addition to a three-pronged obstacle that allowed exhibitors to elect to jump as a bounce, a one-stride or a two-stride depending upon preference. With only two left to ride, Boyd and Clemens, owned by Finally Farm and Westerly Farm, cantered into the ring with two fresh horseshoes, having pulled a pair in the warm-up ring prior to their turn. The duo proved to be the best performers at that point in the competition with a two-round score of 589.50, thanks to their individual marks of 89, 91 and 92 plus 12 high-option bonus points and 29 handy points out of a possible 30.

Riding second-to-last, Colvin and the chromey chestnut gelding needed 310.5 points to match the cumulative score of the current class leaders. Leaving nothing to chance, the 20-year-old professional navigated Private Practice to all four of the high-option fences, while showcasing the gelding’s handiness and graceful way of moving, finishing a fanciful trip to the tune of a near perfect score. Colvin and Private Practice put the pressure on the classic round winners and the last pair to ride, Holly Shepherd and Helen Brown’s Tybee, with impressive scores of 95, 96 and 96 plus 12 bonus points and 28 handy points, to add 327 points to her day one score for a composite tally of 606 points, more than 16 points ahead of Boyd and Clemens. Colvin and “Peter” did not have to wait long, as Shepherd and Tybee were not able to muster the necessary points to take over the head spot atop the scorecard, securing Colvin and Private Practice the 2018 championship.

In 2017, Colvin won the title aboard John and Stephanie Ingram’s Cuba, and with her 2018 win, she is added to the history books as only the second athlete to champion the event more than once as well as the second athlete to win the rosette back-to-back during the program’s 10-year history. In good company, Colvin shares the status with derby poster child Boyd, the three-time winner with Brunello in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Though Boyd did not earn the top call once again in 2018, she still made out with plenty of reasons to celebrate as the reserve champion and third place finisher. While Colvin and Private Practice won nearly $50,000 for their championship performances, Boyd’s two top placings earned her just over $56,000, the largest amount given to one rider during the evening.

Displaying an unmatched level of talent, Private Practice is on his way to being one of the most highly-decorated hunter horses in the sport, accruing numerous victories and standout results in his short tenure as a hunter. Some of his recent high-profile accolades include winning the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the Palm Beach Masters Series’ Deeridge Derby and the first place prize in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Aiken Charity Horse Show. He carried Colvin to fourth place in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival and sixth place in the prestigious $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Outside of derbies, the flashy gelding has accumulated countless blue ribbons in 3’9” and 4’ divisions at horse shows across the country. Adding to his impressive nature is the fact that 8-year-old Private Practice only recently transitioned to the hunter ranks from the jumper ring, and this year is his first with Colvin in the saddle.

In the final standings, Shepherd and Tybee jumped to fourth place overall with 584.25 points, just fractions of a point behind Boyd and Tradition’s score of 584.75. Samantha Schaefer and Madeline Schaefer’s In the Know maneuvered their way into fifth place, up from ninth place after Friday’s classic round, while Douglas and MTM One Time rounded out the top six in the standings. As the highest-placing of the Tier II pairs based on winnings throughout the qualifying period, Douglas and the Holsteiner gelding added to their prize money as the Section B winners, concluding the championship with nearly $25,000 more to their names.

Earlier in the afternoon, 40 horse-and-athlete combinations that missed the cut-off for the handy round took another shot at earning some prize money, riding in the $10,000 Derby Challenge. Similar to the evening’s handy round, Lohman and Moore’s course included plenty of high-option jumps and opportunities to utilize inside turns, allowing riders to exhibit their mount’s abilities. Ninth in the order, Amanda Steege and Wendy Salomon’s Maitre D’ earned the first standout score of the evening, riding to total marks of 295 from the three panels of judges. Steege and the bay gelding’s lead would not hold long though, as little more than halfway through the class Tracy Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Silver Alert set their sights on the top spot on the leaderboard, improving upon their peers’ performances to capture the lead with 299.50 points.

Subsequent competitors laid down solid performances with scores in the 70s and 80s, but none were able to catch the high score set forth by Fenney and MTM Silver Alert, solidifying them as the Derby Challenge champions and largest prize winners of the class. Other than the champions, Steege and Maitre D’ also remained unsurpassed to claim the runner-up spot, trailed by Havens Schatt and Kelley Corrigan’s black stallion Diatendro, who garnered a final score of 290 to finish in third place.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com