Morgan Ward and Comissario Command $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at HITS Ocala

Ocala, Fla. – February 25, 2023 – Consistent Comissario ruled again, claiming Saturday’s $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby with Morgan Ward at HITS Ocala. The duo has won or been in the top three in nearly all the major hunter events at HITS Post Time Farm during the 2023 show season. Earning scores in the 90’s during both rounds, Ward and Comissario returned to the winner circle once again at the conclusion of Saturday’s main event. Madison Ramsey and Dax Frisco took home second place, while Hunter Holloway and Fiesta rounded out the top three.

Morgan Ward and Comissario. Photo by ESI Photography

“I can get on Comissario every day and he is the same horse,” smiled Ward talking about her veteran partner. “I know that no matter what, no matter how bad a day goes, he will always make my day a lot better. I also know if he nails the first round that the handy is his round, so I can just let him do his job.”

Tom Urban’s courses in the Stadium ring utilized natural fences, four high options and an in-and-out to allow riders to display their mounts. The top 12 were invited to return for the handy round, where they had to canter directly to the first oxer, as well as jump a trot fence and gallop over the final oxer towards the gate before walking out of the arena.

Ward and Comissario had a two-point lead after scoring a 93 during the first round, and they returned for the handy round with a careful plan to showcase the Warmblood gelding’s brilliance. An inside turn after the second fence and the trot jump combined with a flawless gallop to the final fence proved to be the winning ingredients, earning a score of 92 for a two-round total of 185 to garner the victory.

Madison Ramsey and Dax Frisco. Photo by ESI Photography

“I watched most of the trips before I got on him and noticed everybody was going around everywhere, but after fence two, I did an inside turn to fence three that nobody else did,” explained Ward. “It was pretty tight, but he can turn on a dime, so that's the easiest thing for him. Then, after the trot jump, I did another inside turn to the last and picked up a bigger gallop to show off to the judges because he's great at that too. I think it was a true handy round!”

Ward is aiming for the 2023 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals and has been using the events at HITS Ocala to help keep Comissario prepped and ready. “I think it is great here this year,” she concluded. “The staff has been fantastic, the rings have been great. I love how they've been doing things like breakfast this morning. It's great for my customers – they love it. Everybody's been very happy, and we are very pleased to be here."

Hunter Holloway and Fiesta. Photo by: ESI Photography

With scores of 90.5 and 91, the second-place prize during the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby went to Ramsey and Dax Frisco, while Holloway followed in third with scores of 90 and 88 aboard Fiesta.

Hunter action at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will continue next week with the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, as well as the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. Horses and riders hoping to make their derby debuts will have the opportunity to showcase their skills during the Post Time 2'6" and 2’ Hunter Derbies. Top horses and riders should mark their calendars today for the next $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, which will be held during Week 9 at Post Time Farm. For more information visit the horse show office or www.hitsshows.com.