Morgan Ward and Comissario. Photo © Jess Windhurst Photography

Yet another picturesque morning in the mountains dawned over the HITS Vermont Summer Festival on Thursday, July 18, 2024, as top hunter riders took to the main hunter rings to aim for a piece of the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. In the end, Morgan Ward and her longtime partner Comissario jumped to the top of the leaderboard for the second time during the 2024 HITS Vermont summer circuit. 

Dina Mazzola, of Bolton, Massachusetts, set forth an intricate hunt-and-go style course to challenge the 47 horse-and-rider combinations. Riders completed the classic portion of the derby and began the handy phase in the Hunter 1 arena. From there, they continued to canter through the path connecting the hunter rings, where they then continued the handy portion in the Hunter 2 arena.

As the 41st rider in the order of go, Ward knew she would have to make quite the impression to match the scores of those who went earlier. She and Comissario managed to wow the judges throughout both phases, jumping to a combined score of 179.5

Morgan Ward stands for presentation. Photo © Jess Windhurst Photography

“I thought the course was really nice,” said Ward. “I liked how they started the handy on the classic side of the rings today. I went inside to one oxer that nobody else went inside to, so that’s where I think I got the bonus points. I really sliced it and took a chance there, but I needed to.” 

Ward, of Morlynn Farm in Ocala, Florida, and Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, is no stranger to the winner’s circle, as she and the 19-year-old Warmblood gelding by Calido have had countless wins together throughout Ward’s junior and professional career. After winning Section B of the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals together in 2014, Ward and the gelding separated until 2019 when her family bought him back.

Jennifer Wright and Casario. Photo © Jess Windhurst Photography

“He’s just a performer in general,” enthused Ward. “He’s got a great front end, a great expression, and that marching canter, which really sets the pace for the derbies. He can do those turns in the handies like there’s no tomorrow.”

Jennifer Wright and Casario (Lupicor x Karandasj), a 17-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Taylor Bodson, clinched the runner-up position. Junior rider Mary Van Pelt and her own 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Tinarana Goldwave, The Ridge Cavalier, rounded out the podium.

Mary Van Pelt and The Ridge Cavalier. Photo © Jess Windhurst Photography

Hunter action continued throughout the week. In the Bit O’ Straw 2′ 6 ” Hunter Derby, Mariana Ziejewski rode her 11-year-old Hanoverian mare Grace M, by Grey Top, to the top honors. Addison McCann and her 16-year-old Welsh pony Woodland’s Strike A Pose by Land’s End Poseidon impressed the judges to take home the top scores in the Tiny Bit O’ Straw Derby. 

Competition continues Tuesday, July 23rd with the Valley Classic at HITS Vermont. For a full list of results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com