Hannan and Cellestino Claim $268,830 Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 16, 2026—All eyes were on the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, as the grand finale of the 2026 $268,830 Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship took center stage in the evening on Saturday, August 15, during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Thirty-one of the country’s top Hunter athletes came prepared to showcase their talents and vie for a share of the prize money. Jennifer Hannan and Cellestino returned to the ring in winning style following their victory in the Classic Round, showcasing style and brilliance over the Handy track, claiming the championship tricolor with an overall total of 602. She was followed by Victoria Colvin aboard Golden Road, who scored a 594.5 for reserve, while Greg Crolick and Chappy earned a 588 to round out the top three.

“This is an absolute dream come true,” expressed Hannan after her win. “This is something I've always dreamt of happening and I'm so lucky to be here. Last year was amazing, and I feel so lucky to have such an amazing partner. To come back this year and be focused enough to make it happen was just a huge privilege.”

Course designers Meghan Rawlins and Tom Hern set a challenging 12-obstacle track that included four high-option fences and several options for different paths. After the first part of the flowing course, riders jumped through the in-and-out garden at fences 6 and 7, and then the eighth challenge was to canter through the garden in either direction before jumping one of the log trot jumps. Jump ten could also be jumped in either direction, and then riders continued to the final two fences, which both featured high options.

Following her reserve championship from 2025 with Cellestino, Hannan of Wakefield, Rhode Island, in Zone 1, and the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, owned by Stephanie Bulger, were in top form headed into this week’s championship. After winning Friday’s Classic Round, they were the last to return for the Handy Round and the pressure was on to perform for judges David Beisel, Archibald Cox, Virginia Edwards, Troy Hendricks, Bobbie Reber, and Chris Wynne.

The duo did not disappoint, picking up a flowing canter to the first fence going directly away from the gate and making a smooth path through the garden before the trot jump. Hannan and Cellestino had a brilliant gallop to the final oxer and the crowd exploded with applause. The judges awarded them base scores of 95, 94.5, and 94 combined with their handiness points and high options to lead to a two-round score of 602 to win the Handy Round and seal their championship title. They earned $45,400.01; the Beaver River Farm Perpetual Trophy, donated by Ron Danta and Danny Robertshaw; and a $1,000 rider bonus from Ron Danta and Danny Robertshaw. Owner Stephanie Bulger was presented with the Wrenwood Farm Perpetual Trophy, donated by Jenny Sutton and Wrenwood Farm.

“My plan for tonight was to be comfortable,” explained Hannan. “I know it's always better to go forward, but I really chose the path that I thought was best for my horse tonight. This year, for sure I felt the pressure coming back, especially with that result last year, but I've had a good year on him, so focus and positivity is kind of the name of the game.”

Hannan continued, “Cellestino likes a very forward ride. You need to get him out in front of you, and it sort of has to be his idea. He's in charge. He's a bit of a boss. He always rises to the occasion. He thinks this is special; there's really no jump too big, and he's a very careful horse. I have wonderful owners who have allowed our team and me to focus on him just for these special classes.”

Colvin of Loxahatchee, Florida, in Zone 4, was the penultimate rider to return with Golden Road, a 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by John & Stephanie Ingram, LLC, and trained by Thomas Wright. They had a smooth and flowing round with excellent turns that received scores of 92, 90.5, and 95, for a two-round total score of 594.5 and the reserve championship honors. Colvin was awarded a $1,000 rider bonus from Ron Danta and Danny Robertshaw.

Crolick of Clarkston, Michigan, in Zone 5, was the first to return after the weather delay, and put the pressure on the remaining riders with his veteran mount Chappy, a 15-year-old Mecklenburg gelding owned by Carole Chase. Taking risks and making Handy turns, the duo received base scores of 93.5, 91.5, and 94, for a two-round score of 588 to move into the third place position overall.

As part of the program’s Rider Ranking System, the top 11 Tier II horse-and-rider combinations from the Classic Round, consisting of riders ranked 41st or lower on the 2025 Rider Money Won list, also returned to vie for the Tier II Championship title. Riders who qualified for both the Tier I Handy Round and Tier II Handy Round had their scores count toward both sections, making them eligible for prize money in each. Tier II riders also competed for an additional 20 percent of the total purse, bringing the Tier II prize money to $53,766.

The Tier II champion was Eleanor Rudnicki of Conroe, Texas, in Zone 7, aboard Vex Sporthorses, LLC’s Vex Freedom. The pair earned a $10,344.58 check and placed seventh overall, and also took the top Tier II spot in Friday’s Classic Round.

“Vex Freedom jumped super tonight, and she was right with me all the way around,” said Rudnicki. “I started riding her early this winter. She's a great mare, and I'm very lucky to be able to ride her here. The prize money bonus is definitely a plus. This is my second Derby [Championship]. Last year I did not make the Handy Round, I did the Challenge class, so it was really cool this year having two chances and then having the Tier II bonus on top of that to really try and go for something.”

Additional awards were also presented throughout the evening.

Rider Style Award: Halie Robinson
Alberto Ramirez International Derby Groom’s Award: Caitlin Burns, groom, owner, and rider of Prime Time
Top-placing Amateur Owner rider: Katelyn Martin
Top-placing Junior Owner rider: Ashley McCaslin
Top-placing Junior rider: Ashley McCaslin

Earlier in the day, horse-and-rider combinations that did not advance to the Championship’s Handy Rounds had the opportunity to compete in the $10,000 Derby Challenge. Augusta Iwasaki of Morriston, Florida, in Zone 4, claimed the victory aboard Edith, owned by Jami Jensen, earning the top prize of $3,000 on a score of 296.

The USHJA thanks the sponsors who help make these championships possible, including Title Sponsor Platinum Performance and Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti International, and Stridefull. Thanks also go to Official Broadcast Provider ClipMyHorse.TV; Championship Official Sponsor Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Pharmacy; Livestream Presenting Sponsor Windsor Stables; and Supporting Sponsors GumBits, Essex Classics, RingSide Pro, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Human Touch, Horseflight, and Texas Super Series.

The USHJA also thanks the donors whose support helps make these championships a continued success and an unforgettable experience for exhibitors, including Diamond Donor Mark Dorfman; Challenge Round Supporter Douglas Wheeler; Gold Donors Louise Riggio and Rivers Edge's Ken Berkley and Scott Stewart; Silver Donors Ceil and Ken Wheeler; Exhibitors' Party Supporters John Ingram and Laura Karat; and Bonus Award Supporters Oakwell Farms, DS Holdings, LLC, Colleen McQuay, Peter Pletcher, Patrick Rodes, Ron Danta, and Danny Robertshaw.

Special thanks go to Show Manager Hugh Kincannon and the entire Kentucky Horse Shows team for their support of the Platinum Performance/USHJA Hunter Championship Week.

Wall-to-wall live streaming coverage is available at no additional cost to members at ClipMyHorse.TV. Additional coverage will be available in the upcoming issue of In Stride.

For more information about the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, visit ushja.org/DerbyChampionship. For online results, visit ushja.org/competition/hunter-week-championships.

Edited press release with Cavaletti Consulting, LLC

Photos: Winslow Photography

Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship Results

Horse | Owner | Rider | Score