Standlee/USHJA National Hunter Derby Regional Championships Crown Junior, Amateur, and Open Winners

Lexington, Ky.—Oct. 16, 2025—The fifth 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 10-15 at the Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic II CSI3* in Lexington, Kentucky. Congratulations to the champions:

• Open: Steven Gregorio and Specialized, owned by Aster Hills
• Junior: Olivia Sweetnam riding Closing Time, owned by Popish Farms, LLC
• Amateur: Cece Williamson on her own Hideaway

“This is an exciting win for everyone on my team," exclaimed Gregorio, of Wellington, Florida. " All our riders and grooms who work behind the scenes work so hard, so bringing home a win for them is always exciting!”

"It is such an honor to win this class," said Williamson, of Ocala, Florida. "Hideaway has been a long time partner for me, and we have worked very hard to improve our performance in the derbies."

The South Championship was June 17-22 at the World Equestrian Center Summer Series II in Ocala, Florida. Congratulations to the champions:

• Open: Tracy Fenney on MTM Farm's MTM Better Half
• Junior: Katalena Prusso riding Viscolano, owned by Falcon Ridge Stables
• Amateur: Audrey Muscari on her own Emerson Van De Meulenberg Z

"I've always loved the Derby format and I enjoy any opportunity I have to compete in them with Emerson," expressed Muscari, of Germantown, Tennessee. "This Regional Derby Championship in 2024 was my horse Emerson's first Hunter Derby after making the switch from the Jumpers to Hunters, and this year's Derby was his first Derby win!" 

The Southwest Championship took place at the The Oaks National, July 16-18 in San Juan Capistrano, California. Congratulations to the champions:

• Open: Halie Robinson with Stable Assets' Sinmigo Dos
• Junior: Molly Copeland riding her own Aloha
• Amateur: Paris Theodosakis and A Big Boss, owned by Pam Theodosakis

“Winning the USHJA National Hunter Derby Southwest Regionals on my young horse, A Big Boss, meant so much to me,” said Theodosakis, of Rancho Santa Fe, California. “Spending hours each week learning together and then seeing it all ‘click’ is the most rewarding feeling. Sharing the moment with my sister, who finished second, made it even more special, as we are each other's biggest cheerleader.” 

The North Championship was August 20-24 at the Princeton Summer Encore in Princeton, New Jersey. Congratulations to the champions:

• Open: Jessica Barno riding Lost King, owned by Lily Claire Hedley
• Junior/Amateur: Maryann Zeira on her own Casallo

The Northwest Championship was held at the Oregon Summer, August 20-24 in Wilsonville, Oregon. Congratulations to the champions:

• Open: Emily Perkins with Alexandra Zell's Coming Soon
• Junior/Amateur: Ella Cate Duke on her own Understudy

"Winning with Understudy will always mean everything to me," reflected Duke, of Lake Oswego, Oregon. "It’s been such a memorable experience bringing him up from a young age and now seeing it really pay off more and more. He’s truly the most special horse in the world and my best friend. I’ve been away at college this past year, and I’m happier than ever to be back in such a beautiful show ring and in such a competitive championship class."

The championships wrapped up with the South Central Championship at Southwest Showdown on September 17-21 in Katy, Texas. Congratulations to the champions:

• Open: Carlysle Drosos riding Conletino PS, owned by Dragon Rabbit Capitol, LLC
• Junior/Amateur: Ellie Goodfriend with her own RSH Kallahan Z

The USHJA would like to thank Title Sponsor Standlee and Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Parlanti, and Nutrena. A special thank you also goes to the teams at Split Rock Jumping Tour, World Equestrian Center, Nilforushan Equisport Venues, Princeton Show Jumping, 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: Winslow Photography, Andrew Ryback Photography, Captured Moment Photography, McCool Photography, Jerry Mohme Photography