Hunter riders of all levels took center stage in the main hunter arena at the iconic HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida, on Friday, December 19, 2025. The second week of the HITS Ocala Holiday Series highlighted multiple hunter derbies for junior, amateur, and professional riders alike. Excitement reached a peak as top riders prepared to contest the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Great American Insurance Group. Boasting a two-round total of 375.00 points, Lauren Schweppe of Ocala, Florida, piloted Cataumet to a victorious performance.
A total of 25 horse-and-rider combinations vied for a spot among the top 12 to return for the class’s handy round, executing their best first-round efforts over Tim Hott’s classic round track. From the competitive field, Schweppe and Cataumet, Cynthia Boudreau’s 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Cabachon, moved comfortably into third. With two challengers ahead of her, Schweppe made sure to pull out all of the stops, delivering a round worthy of 196.00 points across the handy track. That impressive result catapulted the duo into the lead as they combined the handy score with their classic round score of 179.00 points.
“I started doing Cataumet in the performance hunters about four years ago and brought him up in the ranks,” explained Schweppe. “I did the first years, second years, and this is our second or third year doing international derbies. I’m very proud of him.”
“He went right on my plan,” she continued. “We’ve been together for so long now that I can just kind of think it and he knows what’s going on. He was very on the ball today.”
After producing the highest score in the handy round, Havens Schatt of Wellington, Florida, and her seven-year-old Warmblood gelding by Chacoon Blue, Chaquisto Blue PS, jumped into second place with a two-round total of 373.00 points. Edged out of the runner-up position by just a single point was Timothy Maddrix of Morriston, Florida, and Olimpink Melloni, a six-year-old KWPN gelding by Carrera VDL owned by Kristina Groselle. The duo captured third place on an overall score of 372.00 points.
The “Derby Friday” morning kicked off with a win for Anne Berg and Darcy 22 in the $2,500 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby after the pair earned the overall highest score with a total of 167.00 points. Nineteen entries then put forward their best efforts in the $2,500 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, but the win ultimately went to Havens Schatt and One More Time with a total score of 188.00 points.
Competition across the venue will resume Saturday, December 20, with numerous highlights, including the $24,500 John Deere Grand Prix. The second week of the Holiday Series will conclude Sunday, December 21, as junior, amateur, and professional riders vie for the top prize across a day full of jumper classic competition. For full results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com.
