Quincy Hayes and Follow Suit were victorious in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Herm Sprenger, on Friday, July 14, 2023, during World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition at the Saratoga Women In Business (WIB) Spectacular at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY.
The class was held in a hunt-and-go format, which consolidates the classic round and handy round into one course with both portions being scored separately. Hayes of Aurora, ON, and Follow Suit, owned by Tania Burrows, received impressive scores of 86 with two bonus points added to each in the classic and handy round for an overall score of 176.
“I really liked the classic round,” described Hayes. “I wanted to be a little bit conservative with him because he hasn’t done a ton of derbies. I just wanted to give him a really confident ride today. I thought the course rode beautifully.
“For the handy, I wanted to ride the horse I had,” continued Hayes. “He naturally goes a little bit like an equitation horse and looks to where the jumps are. My plan was to go around in a few places but after the trot jump, I saw the inside turn so I chose that option, and he followed my hand beautifully there. It was all I could ask for.”
Hayes originally got the ride on the seven-year-old Warmblood gelding two years ago when he was sent to her as a sales horse, and she immediately clicked with him.
“I ended up loving him so much that I sold him to a customer in the barn,” explained Hayes. “He not only does the derbies and the First Year Green Hunters with me, but he also does the Rusty Stirrup division with his owner. He is a very special horse in the barn and one of the happiest horses you’ll ever meet.”
This is Hayes’ first time competing at Saratoga Horse Shows and the young professional definitely made it a show to remember.
“We are pretty happy with how our first week ever at Saratoga is going,” commented Hayes. “It’s a great show to help us gear up for the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships in Kentucky in August. I think the footing here is absolutely incredible. It’s a beautiful venue, and we love the nice open landscape. The town is adorable. We are really happy we came here.”
Second place was awarded to Keirstin Scott of Newburgh, NY, and MTM Promises Fulfilled, owned by Denise DiNozzi, with an overall score of 172.5. Anna Donavon of Greenwich, CT, rode Merando, owned by Kathryn Fletcher, to third place after receiving an overall score of 172.
Quincy Hayes also tied for second in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with Waterfront, owned by Tania Burrows.
The Saratoga WIB Spectacular will continue to showcase top hunter, jumper, and equitation competition on Saturday, July 15. The feature events will be the $15,000 WIB Jumper Classic and the $1,000 Non-Pro 2’3”/2’6” Hunter Derby.
~ edited press release
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