Wellington, FL – December 23, 2022 – The ESP Holiday Series presented by Arthramid®Vet continued with the ESP New Year’s show and hunter exhibitors were able to shine in a series of derbies. The highlight class of the week took place on Wednesday with the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by #1 Education Place.  Jumping to the top of the leaderboard was Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, and Longfellow, owned by Joslin Davis. 

“I thought the course was a lot of fun. I like that they combined the two rings to create a bigger space. Longfellow and I had a great round in last week’s derby but had a rail, so my plan was to have just as smooth of a round, without the rail,” said Colvin. 

Fourteen riders navigated through the course, which was designed in a “Hunt and Go” format, meaning the Classic and Handy phase were included in a single round. Designed by Robert McGregor, the course consisted of twelve obstacles with four high options. Fences one through seven made up the Classic portion of the course while fences eight through twelve represented the Handy phase.  

Colvin went eighth in the order and placed a consistent round, earning an 85 in the Classic phase and an 86 in the Handy. Her combined score of 174 put her at the top of the scorecard with six pairs left to go. Ultimately, her score proved to be the highest score received in the class. Coming the closest to beating her score was Elodie Lemieux of Saint-Lambert, QC, and her own King’s Landing. The duo finished just half a point behind the leaders with a Classic score of 83.5 and a Handy score of 86 for a total 173.5 points. Taking the yellow ribbon was Jennifer Bliss of Wellington, FL, and Sugarman, owned by Harris Hill Farm, LLC, with a combined score of 172, producing an 83 in the Classic phase and an 85 in the Handy phase.   

 For the full results of the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by #1 Education Place, please click HERE. 

On Thursday, riders had a second opportunity to compete in a derby class with the $1,000 2’6”/2’9” Hunter Derby presented by Dever Golf Carts. The class also took place in the “Hunt and Go” format. Fences one through seven represented the Classic phase and fences eight through twelve represented the Handy phase, including four high options. Taking the top spot was Hannah Isop of Pawling, NY, and Revelstoke, owned by Christine Watkins, with a combined score of 173. The winning pair earned an 84 in the Classic phase and an 85 in the Handy phase, plus four bonus points for taking the high options. Coming in second was Danielle Menker of West Palm Beach, FL, and Vogue, owned by Elizabeth Frankel, with a combined score of 168. Completing the podium was Natalia McCarthy of New York, NY, and Utoo De Roton, owned by Northern Ridge Stables LLC, with 164 points. 

Competition will resume after the holiday weekend with the final event of the 2022 ESP Holiday Series presented by Arthramid®Vet. The ESP Holiday Finale will begin on Wednesday, December 28, and ends on Saturday, December 31.  The show is the last show before the 2023 Winter Equestrian Festival gets underway!

To view the prize list for the 2022 ESP Holiday Series presented by Arthramid®Vet, please click HERE.   

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