The $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at HITS Chicago Equifest III, showcased a vibrant display of equestrian talent. The Main Hunter Ring was abuzz with activity as 29 horse-and-rider combinations, all impeccably turned out, competed for top honors in this prestigious event. Ultimately, it was Katie McDonnell of Woodlands Farm, from The Woodlands, Texas, that rode to the top of the leaderboard with Ritz.
The course, designed by Dean Battaglia of Woodstock, Illinois, challenged riders with its technical elements and high options.The classic round featured a course that began with the first high option, then continued to a long approach to a four-stride line across the diagonal at fences 2 and 3, followed by a high option at a green roll-top at fence 4. This was followed by an off-your-eye bending line to a high-option fence 5. Fences 6 and 7 were set as a two-stride combination, leading to an inviting wagon wheel vertical. The course then included another off-your-eye bending line away from the in-gate to the final high option at fence 9, and concluded with a long approach to an oxer on the diagonal at fence 10.
The handy round, featuring eight fences, introduced a trot fence at jump two and included all four high option jumps. While the classic round consisted of long, flowing lines, this round was a more winding track, which allowed riders to execute various turn opportunities and showcase their mounts’ brilliance.
McDonnell delivered two exceptional performances aboard her own nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Latour VDM, Ritz. They navigated the classic round with finesse, earning a base score of 84.5, with 4 high options taken, resulting in a classic round total of 88.5. In the handy round, they were smooth, efficient, and effortless, achieving a base score of 90 and opting for 4 high options, bringing their two-round total score to 182.5.
“The handy round was a lot of fun,” commented McDonnell. “I loved how the course allowed for inside turns and hand gallops. Ritz was fantastic and really showed off his handiness.
“He always knows when it’s game time,” continued McDonnell of the flashy bay she’s had the ride on for four years. “On the ground, he can be a little shark sometimes like a two-year-old, which is pretty cute, but under saddle he’s really perfect.” Following in second place was Hillcrest Farm rider Caitlin Burns from Denton, Texas, riding her six-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Olso Van’t Paradijs, Primetime. Burns and Primetime earned a base score of 84.25 in the classic round, taking 3 high options for a total of 87.25. In the handy round, they scored 86, with 3 high options, achieving a two-round total of 176.25.
Julie Cleveland Beam, another rider from Hillcrest Farm, rounded out the top three aboard Heather Waldron’s 10-year-old Holsteiner mare by Lord Cassini, Lullaby. The pair scored a base of 87 in the classic round, opting not to take any high options. In the handy round, they achieved a base score of 84.5, with no high options, resulting in a total score of 171.5.
As the Equifest series comes to a close, McDonnell was appreciative of another fun summer season at HITS Chicago.
“I love it here,” she said. “We come every year, and it’s one of my favorite shows. We already can’t wait to come back!”
The hunter derby excitement continued on Saturday afternoon with junior and amateur competitors vying for top honors in the $750 The League Bit O’Straw 2’6” Hunter Derby and the $750 The League Tiny Bit O’ 2’ Hunter Derby, both presented by Marshall & Sterling. Benchmark Stables’s Rider, Loren Gineris from St. Charles, Illinois, claimed the blue ribbon in the $750 The League Bit O’Straw 2’6” Hunter Derby with a strong performance and a two-round total score of 169 on her own 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Quintender, Pinnacle.
The week’s derby events concluded with Rising Stars Equestrian’s rider, Sydney McCormick from Victoria, Minnesota, winning the $750 The League Tiny Bit O’ 2’ Hunter Derby with a two-round score of 156 on Jai Smith Rezac’s 10-year-old Warmblood Gelding by Cassius, CMS Cabernett.
