Tina Judge-Boyle and Cahdou Bring Home Blue in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby at Lamplight Spring Spectacular I
Wayne, Ill. – June 10, 2022 – The first week of the Lamplight Spring Spectacular is underway at HITS Chicago, where hunters took center stage on Friday during the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Tina Judge-Boyle showcased her young mount Cahdou’s talent during the handy round, earning a score of 90 for a two-round total of 178 to lead the lap of honor at the end of the day.
“I wanted to give the horse a really positive ride today,” noted Judge-Boyle. “He’s only 7 years old and we’ve only had him since March. This is his second derby with me, so I just wanted to give him a really positive ride and I was really proud of him.”
Tina Judge-Boyle and Cahdou. Photo by: Alison Hartwell
Twenty-three entries gathered at the Main Hunter Ring to compete in the classic round of the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, which featured four high options, including the final oxer off a bending line directly towards the gate. The top 12 were invited to return for the handy round, where there were only two high options, one of which came right after the trot fence, and riders then had to make a tight rollback to the next option fence.
During the classic round, Judge-Boyle piloted Cahdou to a score of 88, opting to jump all four high options. She used a different strategy for the handy round though, opting for one of the low options to take the handier inside turn. The decision paid off, with the judges awarding her a 90 for a two-round total of 178.
“After the trot jump, I landed on my right lead and held that all the way to the next jump,” explained Judge-Boyle. “I actually took the low option there so I could make an inside turn to the next jump. Then I just let him shine over the last – he jumped it great!”
Molly McAdow and Lomanske. Photo by: Alison Hartwell
Molly McAdow and Lomanske earned the second-place award, earning a 174.5. They just narrowly edged out Mya Pinski and Chill, who earned a score of 174 and the third-place prize. At the end of the day, Judge-Boyle and Cahdou returned for the traditional Lamplight victory gallop over the trot jump.
Mya Pinski and Chill. Photo by: Alison Hartwell
Cahdou is a 7-year-old Hanoverian gelding that Abigail Kulikowski recently purchased from Ashland Farms at the beginning of the year. “He has only been to two shows with us so far,” said Judge Boyle. “He’s going to be [Abby’s] hunter and equitation horse to bring along, but he’s willing to do any job we put in front of him. He’s a fun horse.”
Judge-Boyle is enjoying her time at Lamplight Equestrian Center, concluding, “It’s nice to be close to home – we’ve been coming to Lamplight for as long as I can remember. It’s a beautiful facility, and we like Lamplight, we always have!”
Competition during the Lamplight Spring Spectacular I will continue throughout the weekend as part of the HITS Chicago Series. Junior and amateur athletes will showcase their skills during their respective hunter classics to close out the first week of the horse show, earning valuable points toward qualifying for the Marshall and Sterling Finals.