Winchell and Heavenly Patch of Blue Take Top Honors in USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship - West

San Juan Capistrano, Ca.—June 15, 2026—Pony Hunters took to the West Coast during The Oaks Summer Tour 1 on Friday, June 12, in the 2026 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship –West. Margaux Winchell and Heavenly Patch of Blue claimed the top honors with a combined score of 173. Finishing in reserve were Everly Cain and Chiccobello with a score of 165, while Hannah Hutter and Galway rounded out the top three with a 162.5.

Sixteen combinations navigated the Classic Hunter-style course in The Oaks’ Grand Hunter Arena, designed with several option fences and an in-and-out by Maja Lindemann. Winchell, of Las Vegas, Nevada, representing Zone 10, set the early pace as the second in the order of go, with a leading score of 84 aboard Heavenly Patch of Blue, owned by Highland Farm, LLC. Cain, of Petaluma, California, also in Zone 10, guided Chiccobello, owned by Charlotte Cook, to a score of 80 to sit second. Bianca Carretero, of Morgan Hill, California, in Zone 10, completed the Classic round’s top three rankings aboard her own Moves Like Jagger.

"The first round went really well—we won it with an 84—and I was especially happy to take her out on the grass since she really loves it there," said Winchell. "In the second round, we went last, so there was a lot of pressure, but I’m really glad Anna and I handled it well and earned an 89."

Following the Classic Round, the top 12 rider-pony combinations returned to contest the Handy Round, designed to test maneuverability, adjustability, and agility. Hutter, of Reno, Nevada, in Zone 10, piloted Galway, owned by Bonnie Way Equestrian, to a Handy score of 86 after earning a 76.5 in the Classic, securing third overall. Cain and Chiccobello maintained their strong performance, adding an 85 in the Handy to hold onto second place overall. Remaining firmly at the top of the leaderboard, Winchell and Heavenly Patch of Blue delivered an untouchable Handy score of 89, securing the Championship with the highest combined total.

"This is my second year riding Anna, and our partnership has really grown since I started riding her. I’m so excited about this win and really looking forward to competing with her at Pony Finals this year," exclaimed Winchell. 

Heavenly Patch of Blue continues to build an exceptional record in this Championship, having taken Juniors to victory in 2020, 2023, and 2024. At just 9 years old, Winchell is quickly establishing herself as a standout talent, boasting multiple blue ribbons in USHJA Pony Hunter Derby classes on the West Coast, as well as a win in the USHJA Small Pony Hunter division at the 2025 Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships. 

Adding to their victory, Winchell and Heavenly Patch of Blue also claimed the Small High Score Pony Award. The Medium High Score Pony honors went to Eva Lipman of Redwood City, California, in Zone 10. Meanwhile, Cain and Chiccobello secured the Large High Score Pony Award.

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 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 Nilforushan Equisport Events team for hosting the Championship; to Official Sponsors Herm Sprenger, Nutrena, Parlanti, and StrideFull; and Supporting Sponsors Essex Classics and GumBits.  

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

USHJA Pony Hunter Derby Championship – West Results

Rider | Horse | Owner
Round 1 Avg. | Round 2 Avg. | Final Score

1. Margaux Winchell | Heavenly Patch of Blue | Highland Farm, LLC 
84 | 89 | 173

2. Everly Cain | Chiccobello | Charlotte Cook
80 | 85 | 165

3. Hannah Hutter | Galway | Bonnie Way Equestrian 
76.5 | 86 | 162.5

4. Eva Lipman | Powerstroke | Eva Lipman
77 | 83 | 160

5. Zoie Sherard | Unforgettable | Sienna Smith
75 | 80 | 155

6. Sloan Der Boghossian | Nightlight | Sloan Der Boghossian
76 | 78.5 | 154.5

7. Bianca Carretero | Moves Like Jagger | Bianca Carretero
78 | 76 | 154

8. Violet Dalton | Buttons and Blues | First Blue, LLC
72 | 81.5 | 153.5

9. Harley Bartolacci Bjelkstam | Best Mate | Harley Bartolacci Bjelkstam
71 | 82 | 153

10. Geneva Saunders | Newsflash | Family Circus, Inc. 
55 | 88 | 143

11. Sofia Agapitova | Mossy | Sofia Agapitova
60 | 50 | 110

12. Emma Todorov | Jetstream | John Meehan
68 | 30 | 98

Photos: Julia B Photography