Kathryn Padilla and Heavenly Patch of Blue Best USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – West

San Juan Capistrano, Calif.—July 7, 2023—Ponies took to the stage at the Blenheim June Classic III for the 2023 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – West on Saturday, July 1. Coming in to best her reserve champion title from 2022, Kathryn Padilla rose to the top of the leaderboard and took home the tri-color ribbon with an outstanding 10-point lead on Highland Farm, LLC's Heavenly Patch of Blue. Finishing in reserve was Bella Boreanaz on her own Special Gift, followed by Sarah Magallanes riding her own Wellspring's Roxstar. 

Twelve ponies took the first-round course designed by Scott Starnes at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, and all were called to return for the second course.

The Zone 10 rider from Palos Verdes Peninsula, California, and her seasoned mount were no strangers to the pressure of round two in the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championships—the duo finished twelfth in 2022, behind Padilla's reserve finish on Buzzworthy, and Heavenly Patch of Blue topped the class in 2020. Sitting on a first-round score of 91, the pair returned leading the class. With an added score of 83 in the second round, they remained untouchable, which secured their spot as grand champion on a score of 174 and earned the Small Pony High Score award.

"My plan was to just go in and nail it. I wanted to try and get a 90 today and I did! So I'm just really proud of doing that. I did [feel pressure coming back in the top spot], but I tried not to think about it. I usually just try to think about the blue ribbon in my head and try to go in and win it," said Padilla of her rounds. 

"Heavenly Patch of Blue—her barn name is Anna, and she's a unicorn. We call her Anna Banana because she loves bananas and it rhymes with her name," she continued. "She has a really spunky personality, and she knows when it's time to win. The reason her show name is Heavenly Patch of Blue is because she actually has a little patch of blue in her eye so it’s the perfect name for her."

Boreanaz, of Hidden Hills, California, and Special Gift started out in third and ultimately came out as reserve champion sitting on a total score of 164. The pair also took home the Large Pony High Score award. Magallanes, of Rancho Santa Fe, California, and Wellspring's Roxstar rounded out the top three with a score of 162, close behind Boreanaz and rising from sixth after the first round.

Coming in fifth place overall and picking up the High Score Medium Pony was Charli Prager aboard Linmar LLC's Anderin's Momento. 

The USHJA Pony Hunter Derby offers Juniors the opportunity to compete ponies in a series modeled after the International and National Hunter Derby programs. Competitors can earn National and Zone Horse of The Year bonus points, year-end series awards, and qualify to compete in either the East Coast or West Coast Championships.

The USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championships feature two rounds—a Classic Hunter style course and a Handy Hunter course. Fence heights are adjusted by size (small - 2'3", medium - 2’6", and large 2’9"-3’0"), but the class is not split by size. Each derby is pinned through 12th place.

The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire Blenheim Equisports team for hosting the Championship; to Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena and Parlanti; and to Award Sponsors Essex Classics and Boy-O-Boy Bridleworks.

For more information about the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, visit ushja.org/PonyHunterDerby.

Photos: McCool Photography

USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – West Results

Horse | Rider | Owner

Round 1 Avg. | Round 2 Avg. | Final Score

1. Heavenly Patch of Blue | Kathryn Padilla | Highland Farm, LLC
91| 83 | 174

2. Special Gift | Bella Boreanaz | Bella Boreanaz 
84| 80 | 164 

3.  Wellspring's Roxstar | Sarah Magallanes | Sarah Magallanes
74| 88 | 162 

4. Covenant Top Secret | Charli Prager | Linmar LLC
78 | 81.25 | 159.25   

5. Anderin's Momento | Charli Prager | Limnar LLC

87.5 | 67 | 154.5 

6. Memphis Blues | Evie Becky | Having Fun Already, LLC
74.5 | 69 | 143.5 

7. Dreamworks | Taylor Morrow | Monarch Farms, LLC
67 | 75.5 | 142.5 

8. Celebration | Kathryn Padilla | Highland Farm, LLC
70.5 | 67 | 137.5 

9. Mr. McGregor | Sophia Hankey | Sophia Hankey
68.75 | 61.5 | 130.25

10. Picante | Presley Stocks | Presley Stocks
67 | 63 | 130 

11. Covenant Beau's Secret | Sienna Smith | Sienna Smith
63.75 | 65 | 128.75 

12.  Woodlands Hope | Rebekah Fertel | Rebekah Fertel
63.5 | 63 | 126.5