Wayne, Il. – July 28, 2017 – On the third day of the Chicago Festival of the Horse, Holly Shepherd continued her strong start at Equifest with an impressive victory in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by CWD in the main WEC hunter ring. Shepherd piloted MTM Making Waves, owned by Mary Antonini, to two well-ridden rounds, earning the pair a total score of 182.
Finishing in second behind Shepherd was Douglas Boyd aboard Calido’s Son, owned by Mimi Rothman. Boyd and Calido’s son earned a total score of 172 after their rounds in the USHJA National Hunter Derby. Isabella Bleu Baxter and White Lightning, owned by Helen Gilbert, rounded out the top three, finishing with a score of 171.
The course for the second round included a trot-in fence and several roll-backs. The tighter course design was no challenge for MTM Making Waves, who Shepherd explained is very handy and skilled at roll-backs. That characteristic set him well apart from the competition and secured the pair a victory in the large class.
Each week of Equifest will host a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. The derby held during Equifest II presented by Equo US is set to take place Sunday, August 6 in the Grand Prix Arena, and the Equifest III derby sponsored by CWD will take place Friday, August 11 in the main WEC hunter arena. Still to come Saturday, July 22, is the $1,000 Amateur Owner Hunter Classic and the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic.
RESULTS
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Presented by CWD
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / Total Score
1. MTM Making Waves / Holly Shepherd / Mary Antonini / 182
2. Calido’s Son / Douglas Boyd / Mimi Rothman / 172
3. White Lightning / Isabella Bleu Baxter / Helen Gilbert / 171
4. Umar Du Breche / Kate Wichmann / Stella Holding Place LLC / 170
5. Lena Van T Ruytershof / Amanda Traphagan / Debra J. Morrison / 164
6. Beyond Time / Caroline Roethlisberger / Caroline Roethlisberger / 162
7. Luxor / Molly McAdow / Molly McAdow / 159
8. Big Biz / Kate Wichmann / Stella Holding Place LLC / 157.5
9. Tikki / Samantha Hunsecker / Joy Snyder / 147
10. Paris Match / Pam Von Behrens / Pam Von Behrens / 133
11. Eggplant / William Hickey / Marilyn Heaton / 123.5
12. Gin Fizz 67 / Isabella Bleu Baxter / Lakeview INC / 81
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Holly Shepherd – $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
On MTM Making Waves:
“He was amazing. I’ve only gotten to show him about five times, and he gets better all the time. Today he really stepped up to the plate. We are super excited about him. He’s a lot of fun to ride and he’s really scopey.
His dad and mom both ride him at home and show him, so he multi-tasks. He’s been champion at the last few horse shows I’ve done with him. He’s been a good boy. I haven’t been on him very long but he’s been really good.”
On the National Hunter Derby victory:
“It felt really good. I was super excited. He jumped around beautifully. He was ultra handy – He went through the gaps really nicely. He stepped up to the plate and rolled back to the jumps really well.”
Tory Van Uithoven Wins $1,000 Junior Amateur-Owner 1.40m Jumper
The third day of Equifest kicked off in the Smart Pak Grand Prix arena with Open and Junior Amateur-Owner jumper classes. Tory Van Uithoven and Shannon Hicks rode away with blues in their respective classes.
In the $1,000 1.40m Junior Amateur-Owner class, it was Tory Van Uithoven that received the blue ribbon. Uithoven and her own mount, Cricket, took to the ring with a double clear round, finishing the jump-off in 35.679 seconds. The pair successfully navigated difficult combinations and inside turns to come out on top.
Bryn Sadler rounded out the top three, earning both second and third place for the class. Sadler received both the second and third place finish for the class. Sadler placed riding Bull Run’s Levi, finishing the jump-off round in 38.677 seconds. Sadler and Showcase 81 LLC. received third place, finishing the jump-off clear in 40.990 seconds.
In the $1,000 1.30m Open Jumper class, Shannon Hicks earned the first place finish riding Emir D, owned by Helen Gilbert. The pair completed a double clear round, finishing their jump-off in 37.545 seconds. Second place went to Jordan Gilchrist riding Bariton 40, also going double clear in 37.747 seconds. Holly Shepherd came in third place riding Loretta Patterson’s Manchester, riding a double clear round in 38.757 seconds.
Lamplight’s $50,000 Grand Prix is set to take place tomorrow, Saturday July 29, at 4:00 pm.
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Tory Van Uithoven – $1,000 Junior Amateur-Owner 1.40m Jumper winner
On Cricket:
“He’s a 9-year-old Hanoverian and we got him as a 5-year-old. I’ve had him for four years now. He’s really fun to ride, he’s very adjustable and he’s very game. He has a great personality.”
On her win:
“My round went really well. I’ve been working on trusting him more, just opening up his stride and letting him gallop a bit more instead of holding him and collecting him. My trainer, Shannon Hicks, was very happy with my rounds today so that made me happy!”
On Lamplight:
“We were at Lamplight last year for Spring Spectacular for one week, and we also did Equifest last year as well. We really love the show facility. We think everything is decorated nicely, we like the riding path up to the ring from the barn. We love it here!”