Wayne, Ill. – Aug. 9, 2019 –The third day of Equifest III at the Lamplight Equestrian Centerkicked off Friday, August 9. Hunter competition started strong with the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Out of a strong field of competitors that took to the Main Hutner Ring to contest for first place honors, it was ultimately Holly Shepherd that dominated the class to take the top three spots. Shepherd claimed first, second, and third place riding Star Jewel, Longstreet and As You Wish, respectively.
Shepherd led the first round with a total score of 92 aboard Star Jewel, a 9-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by EMO Stables. Following close behind Star Jewel, Shepherd sat in second place with Longstreet, owned by Barbara Risius. The pair earned a first round total score of 90. Shepherd sat in fourth place with As You Wish, owned by Ashley Runnels, after earning a total first round score of 86.
During the handy round, Shepherd and Star Jewel showcased their skills, navigating the rollbacks, trot fence, and all four high options with ease to earn a score of 89.5. Though the pair did not receive the highest second round score, their first round lead was strong enough to hold the first place position with an overall score of 181.5. Following Equifest III, Shepherd and Star Jewel will travel to Lexington, Kentucky to compete at the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship.
Shepherd and Longstreet, a 13-year-old Dutch Thoroughbred gelding, earned a second round score of 91 and an overall total score of 181, just one half of a point behind Shepherd’s lead to earn second place. Shepherd has had the ride on Longstreet for four years, and their strong partnership was certainly showcased Friday morning. Shepherd and As You Wish, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding, earned an impressive second round score of 92 to move themselves up in the placings and ultimately receive third place with an overall total score of 178. Shepherd also rode As You Wish to a third place finish in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby during Equifest I.
Competition at Equifest III continues Saturday, August 10, beginning at 8 a.m. For more information about the Equifest show series or the Lamplight Equestrian Center, visit www.lamplightequestriancenter.com
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Holly Shepherd – $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Winner
On Star Jewel:
“She felt awesome today! She was really comfortable and she tried very hard. She had a light rub in the second round, but other than that she was amazing.”
On Longstreet:
“I’ve been riding him for four years, so we know each other well. He was super! He started out the class with a bang and he was also very nice to ride around the ring today. He can be a little squirrely sometimes, but today he was right on. He will be one of my [USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship] horses.”
On As You Wish:
“He recently came to Accolade Farm in March. He’s a Pre-Green 3’3’’ Hunter horse, and he has done a few of these hunter derbies and has been really good. He’s a blast to ride, the jumps just come up so good and he tried really hard today. I thought he went super!”
RESULTS
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby results:
Place / Horse / Rider / Owner / R1 Score / R2 Score / Total Score
1. Star Jewel / Holly Shepherd / EMO Stables / 92 / 89.5 / 181.5
2. Longstreet / Holly Shepherd / Barbara Risius / 90 / 91 / 181
3. As You Wish / Holly Shepherd / Ashley Runnels / 86 / 92 / 178
4. Hello Handsome / Teddi Pritzker / Evergreen Stables LLC / 88 / 89 / 177
5. Screen Shot / Ryan Sassmanshausen / Arkham Investments LLC / 85 / 88 / 173
6. Fortune Favors / Abigail Dvorak-Peat / Claire Elizabeth Patterson / 84 / 87 / 171
7. Sterling / Holly Shepherd / Sylvia Reitman / 69 / 85.5 / 154.5
8. Batchelor Party / Aerin Hopkins / Hannah Batchelor / 82 / 72 / 154
9. Sheldon Cooper / Kelsey Concklin / 79 / 71 / 150
10. Silver Lining / Ryan Sassmannshausen / Jessica Lowell / 70 / 79 / 149
11. Vincenzo / Grace Grove / Grace Grove / 46 / 90 / 136
12. Roc’s All That / Taylor Holstead / Taylor Holstead / 44 / 86 / 130
