Hunter riders once again took center stage on Friday, March 7, during the Ocala Winter Finals, Week 8 of the 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, for the highly anticipated $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Stal Hendrix. With an impressive number of talented entries, the class was split into an Open and a Junior/Amateur Derby, doubling the excitement of the day. In the Open Derby, professional riders went head-to-head for the win, but it was Tim Maddrix and Legend that delivered a standout performance, earning a combined score of 181 to claim the top spot.
The Derbies featured a thoughtfully designed track by Chris Collman, Kerry Kocher, and Bill Worthington, with judges Tony Sgarlata and Phoebe Sheets evaluating each round. The competition followed a hunt-and-go format, requiring riders to seamlessly transition from the classic round into the handy round without a break. Thirty-eight professional combinations and 19 junior/amateur duos tackled the classic phase before taking on the handy round, where strategic turns and bold riding played a crucial role in determining the final rankings.
Maddrix and Legend, a seven-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Missy Nolen, made a strong impression in the opening portion of the course, earning a score of 89 plus two high-option bonus points. They maintained their momentum in the handy phase, scoring another 89 along with one additional high-option bonus point to secure the win.
“I think the hunt-and-go style is really fun because you get to go right into the handy and get it all done,” explained Maddrix. “I thought there were a lot of questions asked in the handy, and a lot of right-lead turns. He’s a bit green, so the handy rounds are still a little bit hit or miss, but today he was awesome.”
Maddrix has been developing Legend for a year and a half, taking his time to bring out the young gelding’s potential. While the horse’s long-term future is undecided, Maddrix is enjoying the ride.
“His owner owns a lot of horses with us, so he’s just been for us to kind of bring along, and eventually, he’ll be ready for her, or he’ll get sold,” he shared. “He’s a super beautiful horse, and the judges love him. He jumps really high, which is always helpful.”
Based in Ocala, Florida, Maddrix operates his own Tim Maddrix Stables and has been a long-time supporter of HITS.
“It’s just so much fun to show here,” enthused Maddrix. “Everything HITS has done with the venue is awesome. The new rings are great, and it just feels like a real horse show again.”
Abigail Hopkins and Just Dessert, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cascadello II x Dutchboy) owned by Emma Woodworth, secured second place with a total score of 179. Rounding out the top three was Julianna Thorbecke aboard Elizabeth Overmann’s seven-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Untouchable x Calvados), Touch The Sky, finishing with a final score of 177.25.
In the $10,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur Hunt-and-Go National Hunter Derby, junior rider Eleanor Pieters delivered a stellar performance, claiming victory aboard Tibri’s So True.
Riding the nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cordess x Darco) owned by Tibri LLC, Pieters set the bar high in the first phase, earning an impressive score of 86.5, plus two bonus points for opting for the high options. She maintained her precision and consistency in the handy portion, scoring an 86, along with two additional bonus points, bringing her final two-round total to 171.50.
“There were definitely some tight turns and opportunities to stand out,” noted Pieters. “We wanted to see how he would handle it, so we gave it a shot, and he was awesome.”
Pieters trains under the guidance of her parents, Annie Dotoli and Fran Pieters, at their own Tibri, LLC. She also praised the decision to split the Derby into separate competitions for open riders and juniors/amateurs, as it allowed more competitors the chance to shine.
“These derbies are so fun,” expressed Pieters emphatically. “Everyone loves being part of them, whether they’re riding or watching. The courses are always fantastic, and HITS makes the whole experience feel really special.”
The week also featured The League Hunter Derbies, presented by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, where Heather Concklin and her 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Hildago, claimed victory in the $1,500 The League Bit O’ Straw 2’6” Hunter Derby. Meanwhile, Charlotte Henson and her own 11-year-old Welsh Pony gelding, Smoke Tree Maverick, topped the leaderboard in the $750 The League Tiny Bit O’ 2’ Hunter Derby.
As Week 8 of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit wraps up, riders and spectators eagerly anticipate the final stretch of competition, set to continue on Tuesday, March 11, with more thrilling hunter and jumper action.
