The Marshall & Sterling Insurance Derby Program debuted its second USHJA International Derby this week. The program hosts a total of eleven derbies: five USHJA National Derbies, three USHJA International Derbies, one USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, and two Child/Adult Hunter Derbies (2’/2’3″ and 2’6″/2’9″ heights).
MTM Outbid and Jamie Taylor Shine in $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
MTM Outbid and Jamie Taylor (Tarzana, CA) outrode the competition to earn Champion in this week’s $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by BUTET, at the Desert International Horse Park (DIHP). Erin Duffy (La Canada, CA) aboard Romeo, owned by Volant Stables, earned Reserve Champion. Jenny Karazissis and Lulavani, owned by Cavallo Stables, LLC, won third.
Thirty pairs challenged the first round of the Derby. “I thought the first round [of the Derby] was brilliant and flowed really beautifully. It had a lot of great parts to it, it was smooth, nice, and long. As it should be,” noted Taylor.
Taylor has always appreciated the eight-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Marnell Sport Horses, “I’ve admired Outbid for many many years. I’ve always been in love with him,” Taylor shared. “He’s gorgeous, he’s an athlete, and he ticks all the boxes.”
The pair were sitting in seventh place coming into the Handy round. “The Handy, it was hard, which is good. For $50,000 it should be hard,” commented Taylor. “Outbid can make any turn, he can jump any jump. There’s nothing you can’t throw at him, so I went in there thinking, ‘Just try to stay calm and let him do his job.’” The pair will receive a custom BUTET Practice Saddle for their performance today.
We continue our Marshall & Sterling Derby Program during Week V with our $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, Professional and Junior/Amateur Divisions, sponsored by Kardel Global Equine.
Cassio Rivetti and Kaiser Van Het Lambroeck Win $30,000 CWD Grand Prix
Cassio Rivetti (Wellington, FL) and Kaiser Van Het Lambroeck were crowned champion in the $30,000 CWD Grand Prix with a time of 40.377 seconds in the jump-off. Dustin 254, owned by Garland Stables, and Kyle King (Ocala, FL) placed second with a time of 41.548 seconds, while Nick Gegan (San Diego, CA) and Arc De Triomphe, owned by Neaulani Farms, finished third with a time of 42.671 seconds.
The ten-year-old stallion owned by Neil Jones Equestrian, Inc has been paired with Rivetti for four years now. “He’s doing well, he won a few Grand Prixs last year but I think today was his best day,” Rivetti shared.
Forty-two pairs challenged the course with only five to return to the jump-off. “When I walked [the course] I thought it looked nice and comfortable to ride, but in the end it was really difficult and there weren’t so many clears,” Rivetti commented.
Rivetti is heading to Wellington, FL, to compete in the Nation’s Cup for Team Brazil before returning to the Desert International Horse Park. Rivetti plans on competing in the FEI Tour Week V and VI as well as qualifying for the $250,000 Invitational Grand Prix.
Chandler Meadows and Zamia 3 Finish First in $1,000 U25 Jumper Classic
Chandler Meadows (Newport Beach, CA) and Zamia 3 had a successful day in the Grand Prix Stadium, finishing first in the $1,000 U25 Jumper Classic sponsored by Woodgrove Farm and sixth in the $30,000 Grand Prix sponsored by CWD. This is the pair’s first U25 Jumper Classic and Grand Prix together, “this is a brand-new horse for me, I got her about a month ago and we’re stepping up in the ranks together,” Meadows shared. “I feel very lucky to be able to ride her.”
Meadows will be competing at the horse park for the duration of the circuit and hope to qualify for the Week VIII $15,000 EquiFit U25 Jumper Invitational. “I think we are on track to qualify for the U25 Invitational, and hopefully we will qualify for the $250,000 Invitational Grand Prix as well to end the circuit with a bang!”