Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships Wrap Up Fifth Year of Competition

Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 10, 2025—The fifth annual Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships wrapped in November, following five championship events hosted nationwide. 

The North Central Championship was held June 11-15 at the Traverse City Horse Shows Spring II in Traverse City, Michigan. 

• Champion: Cavaletto Loma Z, owned by West Coast Equine Partners, LLC, and ridden by Nick Haness
• Reserve: Euphoric, owned by Wade Equestrian Farms, LLC, also piloted by Haness

"Cavaletto Loma Z is a partner I've had for many years now with a lot of Derby wins under his belt," Haness commented. " I feel really confident with him, and I know him very well. With him, I thought I would go for the high options, do the tight turns, and gallop where we could."

The North Championship was held June 18-22 at the Saratoga Classic II in Stillwater, New York. 

• Champion: Heritage Farm, Inc.'s Chadanos with Adriana Forte in the irons
• Reserve: Iceman van de Nethe, ridden and owned by Cassandra Smith

The South Central Championship was September 17-21 at the Southwest Showdown in Katy, Texas.

• Champion: Mon Ami, owned by Medora Boone, ridden by Hanley O'Neal
• Reserve: Silhouette ES, owned by Lisa Metrick, withO'Neal in the irons

"This win feels extra special to me because it's my first show back after a bad accident six months ago," remarked O'Neal. "I've worked really hard to come back from that and have had great support from my clients. Also, I imported and have produced both of the horses I rode in the Championship."

The Southwest Championship was held in Thermal, California, from November 4-9 at the National Sunshine Series II.

• Champion: Amy Bean's Connect The Dots and Nicole Bourgeois
• Reserve: Dana Vollbracht's Hulla-Balou, ridden by Michael Dennehy

"[Connect the Dots] came to me when he was six, and I rode him in the 3'3" Green Hunter divisions," said Bourgeois. "Then, he went to do the 2'6" Hunters and Equitation with Bella Bean, his owner's daughter. I got the ride back last year to continue developing him into a Derby horse. This was his second International Hunter Derby, and he's won both of them. He is a dream, and the class was super fun."

The South Championship wrapped up the year at Holiday & Horses CSI4*, November 26-30 in Wellington, Florida.

• Champion: Selene, owned by Christine Watkins, piloted by Hannah Isop
• Reserve: Cellestino, owned by Stephanie Bulger, ridden by Jennifer Hannan

"It feels great to have won this event," Isop said. "It was a lovely way for me, Selene, and our team to start off our winter season. Right now, I'm very fortunate to have some talented Hunters in the barn, and this program is a great way to showcase their abilities.

The USHJA would like to thank Title Sponsor Platinum Performance and Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Parlanti, and Nutrena. A special thank you also goes to the teams at the Traverse City Horse Show, Saratoga Horse Shows, Southbound Show Management, Desert International Horse Park, and Wellington International for hosting the Championships.

Learn more about the USHJA International Hunter Derby program at ushja.org/IHD. For more information about the USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships, visit ushja.org/IHDRC.

Photos: Megan Giese Media/TCHS, Jess Windhurst Photography, Jerry Mohme Photography, High Desert Sport Photo, and Sportfot