Sloane Betker Sweeps U25 at tbird

Sloane Betker made it a clean sweep of the Western Pacific Emergency Response U25 division, supported by Costa Palmas, this week at tbird’s April Season Opener. But her biggest victory came from learning to stop chasing perfection.

Betker capped off an extraordinary U25 week on Saturday, piloting Indiana II to victory in the Western Pacific Emergency Response U25 1.40m. The win followed back-to-back red ribbons earlier in the week — Wednesday’s U25 1.35m jump-off class and Friday’s U25 1.40m speed — both aboard her other mount, Kristalstar.

“Obviously my goal [today] was to win, but my strategy was just to have a nice round,” she explained of Saturday’s victory. “Indiana is jumping the Grand Prix tomorrow as well. I saved him for just these two classes.”

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For a rider who admits she has always felt the need to be flawless, the three-peat performance marked a turning point.

“I always felt that I had to be perfect,” Betker said. “I’ve been working on my confidence. Kristalstar is so talented, but I struggle with just trusting her, so I’ve been riding her a lot more forward and I think it showed. I trusted her a lot more [in the ring] and she’s been so good [this week].”

Betker has developed a strong bond with both 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding Indiana II (Numero Uno x Capitol II) and 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Kristalstar (Arezzo VDL x Stakkato).

“I’ve had Indiana for three years,” she said. “He’s super straightforward. He just wants to do his job. He’ll take a big look at the flowers [decorating the jumps], but once he’s on course he knows his job—and he’s really good at it.

“Kristalstar is really shy. She’s super sweet. She likes things her own way.”

With the summer season ahead, Betker is focused on building on her momentum — and on her consistency — in the U25 division at tbird.

“I’m pretty happy with my results today and all week,” she smiled. “Hopefully, I can win more in May.”

Showcasing rising talent in show jumping, the Western Pacific Emergency Response U25 division, supported by Costa Palmas, returns to tbird May 20–24 for the CSI4* Canadian Premier.

Full results here.

Tracey Epp and Heartvit ZH Take Canadian Derby, Again

Tracey Epp and the striking Czech Warmblood stallion Heartvit ZH are no strangers to the winner’s circle in the Amy Brattebo Real Estate Open 3’6″ Canadian Derby series. At this week’s April Season Opener, they started the 2026 season the same way they did in 2025—with a win.

A woman jumping a hunter fence on a bay stallion.

Tracey Epp and Heartvit ZH. (©tbird/Kady Dane Photography)

The pair cleared four of the five high options in Chris Jones’s Hunt & Go derby course to post a commanding score of 101, securing victory by a seven-point margin. It’s just the latest example of the seamless transition Heartvit has made from high-performance show jumping to the hunter ring. The 13-year-old stallion (Forever van de Noordheuvel x Caesar) formerly competed up to the three-star level before switching disciplines in 2024. Since then, he has become a fixture in the Canadian Hunter Derby series at tbird, claiming his first win in 2024 and adding two more in 2025.

Channay Lloyd and Imothas HS finished second with a score of 94, while Patty McKenna aboard Case in Point took third on 88.

For Epp, the partnership with Heartvit has been nothing short of extraordinary—even when the circumstances have been less than ideal.

Last year, the pair qualified for the Canadian Hunter Derby Final at the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair in Toronto, ON based largely on their results at tbird. Despite a serious setback, Heartvit delivered a career-defining performance.

“I went to Toronto last year and he was a superstar,” Epp said. “Unfortunately, I got in a bad accident and went there with 11 broken ribs. But he was phenomenal and he ended up second in the final day.”

With that experience behind them, Epp and Heartvit are setting their sights on another trip to Toronto this fall.

“Our goal is to qualify again this year,” Epp confirmed.

Beyond the derby ring, Heartvit has a “full-time job” as an active breeding stallion, with offspring already making their mark in competition. Epp is quick to praise his qualities as a sire.

“His foals are quite lovely,” she said. “He stamps them with his good looks.”

The Amy Brattebo Real Estate Canadian Hunter Derby returns to tbird in May for the CSI4*/2* Odlum Brown BC Open.

Amy Brattebo Real Estate Open 3’6″ CND Hunter Derby
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time