The Ocala Winter Classic, the fourth week of the 2026 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, brought an added level of prestige to HITS Post Time Farm with a World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) designation. Featuring an action-packed schedule of elite hunter classes, the week attracted top riders from across the country vying for national recognition. Among the numerous highlights was the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Great American Insurance Group, on Friday, February 6, where David Wilbur and Four Aces delivered a masterful performance to claim victory with a combined score of 378.
The competition was fierce from the start as 38 talented horse-and-rider combinations navigated the intricately designed course by Chris Jones, Maja Lindemann, and Doug Russell. Overseen by esteemed judges Scott Fitton, representing the first panel, and Geoff Case, for the second panel, the class began with a flowing classic round that highlighted style and technique. From the first round, the top 12 duos then returned in reverse order of merit to contest the handy round designed to reward boldness and precision. Riders of all levels — from juniors and amateurs to seasoned professionals — brought their A-game, making for an exciting showdown.
Wilbur and Four Aces returned for the handy round in third place after earning a stellar first-round score of 186, including an 88.5 from the first panel and an 89.5 from the second, plus four bonus points from each panel for high option fences jumped throughout the course. The pair then sealed the deal with an impeccable handy round, moving up two places. With base scores of 87 and 89, plus another four points for high options, and an additional eight bonus points for handiness, they solidified their spot at the top of the class.
“He’s the most amazing horse I’ve ever ridden in my life, and I’ve ridden a lot of horses,” enthused Wilbur, who earned reserve champion in the $50,000 WCHR Professional Finals at the 2024 Capital Challenge Horse Show. “He keeps getting better and better every time out there. I think he really has a lot of fun and just wants to try harder and harder.”
With such an elite field of athletes on the start list, Wilbur knew he would need to take calculated risks to climb the leaderboard.
“When you’re not sitting on top coming back, you feel like you have to take a few chances,” he explained. “The course was beautiful today and really allowed for some smart inside turns in the handy. ‘Ace’ is always right there with you.”
Wilbur has been partnered for a few years now with Ace, the 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Acodetto 2 x Leonid) owned by Marita and Casey Zuraitis. While the pair has found tremendous success in the derby ring, Ace is equally accomplished competing with Casey in the Amateur-Owner Hunter division.
“He’s funny in the barn — always on the lookout for treats,” said Wilbur. “He can be pretty unmotivated on the flat, but in the ring he’s the same horse for me as he is for Casey. He truly loves to show and always gives his best.”
Wilbur and the team at Emil Spadone’s Redfield Farm have made HITS Ocala their home base for several years, and Wilbur was quick to share what keeps them coming back.
“HITS does an incredible job with course design, and the prize money, especially for the hunters, is fantastic,” he commented. “WCHR is something I really strive for, and I’m incredibly grateful to Great American Insurance Group for supporting this derby series, particularly during such an exciting week.”
Jennifer Alfano earned the second-place finish aboard Admiral, her own eight-year-old North American Warmblood gelding by Dul van den Bisschop, posting a total score of 373. Rounding out the podium was Hannah Matts with Celsius, Redfield Farm’s 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Cellestial x Flemmingh), who earned a two-round total of 369.
As the 2026 season unfolds, the Leading International Hunter Derby Rider standings are starting to take shape. Presented by GAIG, the award recognizes the athlete that has accumulated the most prize money in international derby competition across HITS venues throughout the year. The win puts Wilbur atop the leaderboard, but with plenty of classes left to contest, the battle for ultimate honors is just getting started.
WCHR action continues through Sunday, February 8, and returns for the penultimate week of the circuit, the Ocala Winter Celebration, on March 11-15. The fifth week of the 2026 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, the Ocala Winter Festival, gets underway on Wednesday, February 11, setting the stage for another thrilling week of top-caliber competition.
