Hunter riders took center stage on Friday, February 28, during Week 7 of the 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit for the $10,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby. With a strong field of talented junior and amateur competitors, the class showcased exceptional performances over a beautifully designed course. Rising to the top was amateur rider Parris Cozart Collins and Miss Magnolia, whose standout rounds earned a combined score of 178 to claim victory.
The Derby featured a thoughtfully crafted track designed by Chris Collman, Danny Foster, and Brian Post, with judges Todd Karn and John Colon officiating. The competition followed a hunt-and-go format, where 45 junior and amateur combinations first completed the classic portion of the course before seamlessly transitioning into the handy portion.
Strategic turns and bold riding played a crucial role in determining the final standings. Cozart Collins laid down a textbook classic round, earning a score of 86.5 plus two points for high options. From there, she turned up the intensity in the handy round. Her handiness paid off, earning an 87.5 plus two more points for high options, securing the win.
“There weren’t a whole lot of opportunities to do something different in the handy round, so I did my best to stand out,” explained Cozart Collins. “I sliced a few jumps and did my best to open up her canter and carry a nice pace to the last jump.”
Cozart Collins has been partnered with Miss Magnolia for a few years. After relocating from California to North Carolina, she made the decision to transition from the jumper ring to the hunter ring.
“I imported her a while back, and she is the sweetest thing,” shared Cozart Collins of her 11-year-old Holsteiner mare by Number One. We were doing her in the jumpers, and I just kind of thought, ‘Why not try her in the hunters?’ I take her out on the trail and jump her over all the jumps in the field. It’s been great. She is just a delight to have.”
Cozart Collins also praised the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit and the opportunities it provides for junior and amateur riders.
“It has been a thousand years since I’ve been in Ocala, but I’m so impressed,” she enthused. “It’s a beautiful atmosphere, and it’s wonderful that they have these bigger classes for juniors and amateurs. The people are friendly, and it’s laid back. I can’t say enough good things about HITS.”
Finishing in a very close second place was Haley Waters Wear and Genuine, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Diarado x Argentinus) owned by Chuck Waters, with a total score of 177.5. Waters Wear also rounded out the top three aboard Malcomme, an eight-year-old KWPN gelding (Comme Il Faut x Vingino) owned by Chuck Waters, earning a final score of 177.
The week also featured The League Hunter Derbies, presented by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, where Kayden Myrick and Mary Michel’s 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Landkaptain LL, took top honors in the $1,500 The League Bit O’ Straw 2’6” Hunter Derby. Mattie Garrison and Golden Season, Brooke Pfeiffer’s 23-year-young Welsh Pony Cross gelding, claimed victory in the $750 The League Tiny Bit O’ 2’ Hunter Derby.
As Week 7 of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit wraps up, anticipation builds for another exciting week of top-tier hunter competition, set to resume on Tuesday, March 4.
