Junior, Amateur and Open Champions Crowned at Standlee/USHJA National Hunter Derby Regional Championships
Lexington, Ky.—Oct. 13, 2022—The second annual Standlee/USHJA National Hunter Derby Regional Championships wrapped up in September after six championships were held across the country. Following the same two-round format as the regular National Hunter Derby class, the Regional Championships are offered in three sections—Open, Amateur and Junior—across six regions of USHJA Zones.
The North Central Championship was held June 14-19 at the Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic II CSI3* in Lexington, Kentucky. Congratulations to the champions:
- Open: Jeff Gogul riding No Doubt, owned by Roaring Brook LLC
- Junior: Maya Rahaim riding Catwalk, owned by Renaud Farm LLC
- Amateur: Vanessa Mazzoli riding her own Oh Brother
The Southwest Championship took place at the Blenheim June Classic II, June 15-19 in San Juan Capistrano, California. Congratulations to the champions:
- Open: Kylee Arbuckle riding Gatsby, owned by Danielle Park
- Junior: Skylar Wireman riding Bonnie Starlight, owned by MZ Farms LLC
- Amateur: Christina Smith riding her own Chancellor
The North Championship was August 24-28 at the Princeton Classic Encore in Princeton, New Jersey. Congratulations to the champions:
- Open: Geoffrey Hesslink riding Paisley Park, owned by Little Brook LLC
- Junior/Amateur: Eva Mackenzie riding her own Demonia Gs Z
The South Championship was July 12-17 at the Tryon Summer 5 in Mill Spring, North Carolina. Congratulations to the champions:
- Open: Megan Rosenthal riding Selwyn, owned by Fairy Tale Farms LLC
- Junior: Gigi Phillips riding her own Thunderbird
- Amateur: Caelinn Leahy riding Executive Order, owned by Nancy L. Schmid
"I think the National Hunter Derby program is such a good stepping stone for green horses and riders to be on their way to International [Hunter] Derbies,'' Phillips, who won the South Championship's Junior section on her own mount, said. "I really love how the National Derbies appeal to Children's Hunters all the way up to big Derby horses."
The Northwest Championship was held at the Oregon Summer, August 24-28 in Wilsonville, Oregon. Congratulations to the champions:
- Open: Alexis Taylor riding Timeless Romance, owned by Kathrine Martell
- Junior/Amateur: Ella Cate Duke riding her own Understudy
The championships wrapped up with the South Central Championship at Southwest Showdown on September 21-25 in Katy, Texas. Congratulations to the champions:
- Open: Kelly Lorek riding Call Me Cool, owned by Allison Dodds
- Junior: Mckayla Brombach riding Casalletto WW, owned by Daniel Bedoya
- Amateur: Erin Arnold riding her own MTM One Time
"I was really proud of my rounds; they were both very consistent. I love the National Hunter Derby program. With the fence height being lower, it gives an opportunity for everyone to participate," commented Arnold, winner of the South Central's Amateur section.
The USHJA National Hunter Derby program, which provides horses and riders a place to gain experience in Derby competition at a lower height, has enjoyed continued success and growth with Juniors, Amateurs and Professionals continuing to showcase their Hunters. The Regional Championships were introduced in 2021 as an added benefit to competitors.
"I think the National Hunter Derby program is a raging success based on the sheer numbers of entrants you see in the classes," said Rosenthal, winner of the South Championship Open section. "As a professional rider, I think it serves as an excellent stepping stone for young horses that shows them venues and tracks beneficial to their education. As a trainer, I think it is a great teaching tool for Junior and Amateur riders to practice performing in higher-pressure situations that asks different questions than just a straightforward Hunter course."
The USHJA would like to thank Title Sponsor Standlee; Official Sponsors CWD, Exhibitor's, Parlanti, Nutrena, and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy; and award sponsor Essex Classics. A special thank you also goes to the teams at Split Rock Jumping Tour, Blenheim Equisports, Princeton Show Jumping, Tryon International Equestrian Center, Team NW Equestrian Sports and Southbound Show Management for hosting the Championships.
Learn more about the USHJA National Hunter Derby program at ushja.org/NHD. For more information about the Standlee/USHJA National Hunter Derby Regional Championships, visit ushja.org/NHDRC.
Photos: Stefan Ohlsson for Paws and Rewind, Bailey Beck for TIEC, Grand Pix Photography
