Hunter riders once again took center stage during Ocala Masters, Week 6 of the 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, for the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. With so many talented entries, the class was split into an Open and a Junior/Amateur Derby, doubling the excitement of the day. In the open class, professional riders went head-to-head for the win, but it was Abigail Hopkins and Incognito that delivered a standout performance, earning a combined score of 183 to claim the top spot.
Held on Friday, February 21, the Derbies featured a thoughtfully crafted track designed by Chris Collman, Danny Foster, and Tim Hott, with judges Kat Mulkey and Bobbie Reber evaluating each round. The competition followed a hunt-and-go format, where riders completed the classic round before seamlessly transitioning into the handy round without a break. Thirty-five professional combinations and 19 junior/amateur duos navigated the classic phase before taking on the handy round, where strategic turns and bold riding played a crucial role in the final rankings.
Hopkins and Incognito, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding (Baltic VDL x Carano) owned by The Goodspeed Group LLC, made a strong impression on the open card with a first-round score of 90, plus two high-option bonus points. They kept their momentum in the handy round, earning an 89 along with another two bonus points to secure the win.
“In the classic round, I just wanted to be as smooth as I could and let him show off by himself because he jumps absolutely phenomenal,” said Hopkins. “Then for the handy, I loosened him up. There weren’t many inside turn options, so I could really show off a nice, long gallop.”
The Goodspeed Group LLC purchased “Taz” this past summer, and Hopkins expressed her admiration for the talented gelding.
“He’s just a superstar,” she shared. “He loves to be in the ring, he loves to show up, and he has so much talent. I’m very lucky to ride him.”
Hopkins trains out of Tibri LLC, based in Chepachet, Rhode Island, alongside Annie Dotoli and Aster Pieters. Like many others, Tibri LLC has made HITS Ocala their winter home for several years.
“I think HITS does an incredible job with these derbies,” expressed Hopkins. “It always looks so beautiful, and everyone comes out to ride in these classes. There were so many riders entered today, and I think it’s great that they split it into an Open Derby and a Junior/Amateur one. The course was great, and we just love riding here.”
Dorothy Douglas and MTM Exceptional, a 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Casall Ask owned by Abigail Davenport, secured second place with a total score of 179.5. Ehrin Rittmueller and Kimberly Blasko’s 15-year-old gelding by Cascani, Blaze, rounded out the top three with a final score of 177.
In the $10,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur Hunt-and-Go National Hunter Derby, amateur rider Haley Waters Wear delivered yet another stellar performance, claiming victory aboard Malcomme.
Riding the eight-year-old KWPN gelding (Comme Il Faut x Vingino) owned by Chuck Waters, Waters-Wear set a high standard in the first round, earning a score of 92, plus two bonus points for taking the high options. She maintained her precision and consistency in the handy round, securing an 88, plus two more bonus points, for an impressive two-round total of 184.
“I really liked the format today,” said Waters Wear. “The course was pretty long, and Malcomme is super quiet, so I was glad he still had some energy by the end of the round!”
Splitting the Derbies into separate competitions for open riders and juniors and amateurs created more opportunities for riders to shine.
“It was such a nice surprise that the Derbies were split this week,” added Waters Wear. “I think it’s great that HITS is having these bigger junior/amateur classes.”
The week also featured The League Hunter Derbies, presented by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, where Olivia Dukas and Kevin Eufemia’s 19-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Upgrade, took top honors in the $1,500 The League Bit O’ Straw 2’6” Hunter Derby. Ann Templeton-Phillips and Golden Season claimed victory in the $750 The League Tiny Bit O’ 2’ Hunter Derby.
As Week 6 of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit wraps up, anticipation builds for another week of top-tier hunter competition and thrilling performances with the Ocala Tournament kicking off on February 25.
