Wellington, FL –January 1, 2023 – The ESP Holiday Series presented by Arthramid®Vet came to a close with the ESP Holiday Finale, but not before hunter riders had their time to shine in the week’s featured hunter class, the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Michael Angelo Salon & Spa. Taking home the top score was John French of Wellington, FL, and Wyatt, owned by Susan Moriconi.

Twenty-six riders competed in the derby, which was held in the “Hunt and Go” format. Designed by Danny Moore, the course consisted of fourteen obstacles in total, and included four high options. Fences one through eight represented the Classic phase, while fences nine through fourteen represented the Handy phase.

“My goal today in this class was to actually work on lead changes, and I only ended up needing to do one, Wyatt jumped super smooth. This is his first week moving up to the 3’6”, he was actually champion in the 3’6” Greens this week, so it was nice to come into this course and continue working on something different. I think he’s a great horse for turning and rolling back rather than just the usual outside-diagonal-outside, so this was a great course for him to get focused on his hind end.” said French. “Now that I see how well he has moved up, I would like to try some international derbies with him.”

French and Wyatt scored a 182 overall, earning an 88 in the Classic phase and a 90 in the Handy phase, including four points for taking the high options. French was ninth to go in the order and held the winning score throughout the remainder of the class. Following in a close second was Geoffrey Hesslink of Shelbourne, VT, and Chivalry, owned by Little Brook LLC, with an overall score of 181.5, earning an 85.5 in the Classic phase and a 92 in the Handy phase, plus four points for the high options. Completing the podium was Hannah Isop of Pawling, NY, and Carousel, owned by Lisa Longo, with an overall score of 180, earning an 85 for the Classic phase and a 91 for the Handy phase, plus four points for taking the high options.

“Wyatt is definitely a keeper in our barn. I can’t wait to take him into the International Ring during week six of WEF 2023 and over to the grass field for some fun derbies,” French concluded.

For the full results of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Michael Angelo Salon & Spa, please click HERE.

On Friday, the $1,000 2’6”/2’9” Hunter Derby presented by Score At The Top offered hunter competitors another opportunity to compete in a hunter derby. Seven competitors faced the track, which was also held in the “Hunt and Go” format. Fences one through seven represented the Classic phase while fences eight through thirteen represented the Handy phase. Taking the top call was Alliyah Antoniadis of Loxahatchee, FL, and Entourage, owned by AKA Showstoppers, LLC, with an overall score of 174, earning an 86 in the Classic phase and an 85 in the Handy phase, including four points for taking the high options. Taking second was Isla Burman of Lloyd Harbor, NY, and Flower Dance, owned by Kenjockety Farm, LLC, with an overall score of 146. Third-place honors were awarded to Ella Endzweig of New York, NY, and Watch Hill, owned by Ella Haymond, with an overall score of 154.

The ESP Holiday Finale concluded the ESP Holiday Series presented by Arthramid®Vet, but in a few short days the equestrian action will resume with Wellington International’s flagship event, the Winter Equestrian Festival. This year, the circuit will begin on January 4, 2023, and conclude after 13 weeks of competition on April 2, 2023.

To view the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival Prize List and Souvenir Program, please click HERE.

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Photo credit ©Anne Gittins Photography. These photos may only be used once in relation to this press release with proper credit.