Kelley Farmer (USA) and Meaningful, co-owned by David Glefke and Oakmont Stables, scored a total of 377 points over two rounds to take top honors in Friday evening’s $40,000 USHJA International Derby at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), also claiming third with In Writing, the 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Quirado x Pandora VLL) co-owned by David Glefke and Wendy Hofmeister, on a score of 374.5. Daniel Geitner (USA) and his own mount Banks Mill, a 2011 Warmblood gelding of unknown breeding, claimed reserve with a total score of 375.5.
The Dean Rheinheimer (USA) course tested 24 entrants over the initial track, with the top 12 scoring a minimum of 152 in order to qualify for the handy round. Farmer and the 2013 Oldenburg gelding (Almoretto x Romisch Blau) walked into the second round with a score of 168, adding 209 to top the field – in Meaningful’s second competition since arriving in North America. “I thought the course was very nice – I was very happy with it. This is only his second show in America! He’s already learning how to become a top hunter,” she explained. “He was also champion in the High Performance [4’ division], winning every class this week. I could not be more thrilled with him.”
Farmer was last to go in the handy with In Writing, with whom she captured the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at TIEC during Tryon Spring 6 competition, and admits that “they should have been first and second place. Rider error got in the way – tonight was my fault. He’s truly an amazing horse! I just got him from Europe last fall.