Taylor-Davidson Takes Top Two in $25,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at 2022 Marshall & Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships

Las Vegas, Nev.—Nov. 16, 2022—The first day of competition at the 2022 Marshall & Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships at The Las Vegas National CSI4*-W culminated in Katie Taylor-Davidson taking the top two spots in the $25,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby open section. In the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa’s unique Arena & Equestrian Center, In Bocca Al Lupo walked away with the champion tricolor, while Charismo earned reserve.

The Classic Round of the night's top Hunter competition had Taylor-Davidson, of Mission Viejo, California, returning to the Handy Round on all three of her mounts. Sitting in second was Theodore Flash with a 92, followed closely by Charismo in third with a 91, then eventual winner In Bocca Al Lupo in fourth with 90.5. Holding the top spot with the class's high score of 93 was Nicole Bourgeois aboard McQueen.

The top 12 returned to the ring for the Second Round, where scores shuffled the leaderboard. Tacking on a 92 to In Bocca Al Lupo's first-round score, Taylor-Davidson and the gelding owned by Mare Eyfee LLC claimed the class with a 182.5 overall.

"He's pretty spectacular. He will jump anything from anywhere and he loves to perform," said Taylor-Davidson of her winning mount. "For the first round, I made sure to open his stride up a little bit because he wants to get a little bit behind the leg. I got a little gallop going, then got him on his rhythm. Then for the Handy, I practiced some tight turns and a couple of trot jumps before I went in."

Moving up a spot and securing Taylor-Davidson the top two in the class was Charismo, owned by Iverness Ridge. The duo posted a 90 in the Handy Round, finishing with a 181 and only 1.5 points behind her top placing. Theodore Flash, owned by Mare Eyfee LLC, finished ninth.

The 2022 Marshall & Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championship continue through November 20 with live streaming coverage of all classes on USEF Network. Live results are available on ShowgroundsLive.

The USHJA extends its thanks to Blenheim EquiSports and The Las Vegas National team, Title Sponsor Marshall & Sterling Insurance, and to current supporting and division sponsors of the USHJA National Championships. The USHJA also wishes to thank Official Sponsors CWD, Exhibitor's, Nutrena, Parlanti, and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Pharmacy; and USHJA Championship Sponsors Boy O Boy Bridleworks, Charles Owen, Essex Classics, FITS, Helite, Human Touch, Prize Possessions, RingsidePro, Redingote Equestrian, SmartPak and State Line Tack.

A special thanks also goes to the following division trophy sponsors: The Oaks, The Smith Family, The Meadows Family, Knightsbridge Farm, Kevin and Elisabeth Price, Ledges Sporting Horses, Bridgeport Farms, Blenheim EquiSports, The Las Vegas National Horse Show, Balmoral Farm, Mr. and Mrs. Carleton Brooks, Tapestry Farm, The Struve Family, Steve and Lisa Hankin, Cheryl and Michael Rubenstein, Showplace Productions, and Patrick and Nicole Boyle.

For more information about the Marshall & Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships, visit ushja.org/NationalChampionships.

Photos: Andrew Ryback Photography

$25,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby - Open Results

Horse | Rider | Round 1 Avg. | Round 2 Avg. | Final Score
1. In Bocca Al Lupo | Katie Taylor-Davidson | 90.5 | 92 | 182.5
2. Charismo | Katie Taylor-Davidson | 91 | 90 | 181
3. Kaliman | Skylar Wireman | 86 | 91 | 177
4. McQueen | Nicole Bourgeois | 93 | 83 | 176
5. Lulavani | Sami Milo | 88 | 87 | 175
6. Lyrical | Jenifer Paris | 85 | 86 | 171
7. Catwoman | Noah Nelson | 82 | 88 | 170
8. Coup D'Etat | Jason McArdle | 87 | 82 | 169
9. Theodore Flash | Katie Taylor-Davidson | 92 | 76 | 168
10. Caso 2 | Gabriela Pattinson | 90 | 74 | 164
11. Quintessa Wss | Gabriela Pattinson | 80 | 81 | 161
12. Gramercy | Jan Humphrey | 81 | 44 | 125