Deeridge Farms Showcases Top Hunters At Inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend
Following the success of the inaugural Wellington Masters CSI3*-W in 2016 and this year’s Palm Beach Masters CSI3*-W, Deeridge Farms and the organizers of the CP Palm Beach Masters, presented by Sovaro, created an entirely new event for 2017.
While the 2017 Palm Beach Masters featured exciting world-class show jumpers from around the world in one of seven qualifying events for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Finals, the Deeridge Derby Weekend brought to center stage the outstanding hunter horses and riders that also call Wellington home each winter.
Deeridge Farms is a 300-acre oasis of serenity and beauty in the heart of Wellington owned by Jeremy and Margaret Jacobs, who have been its stewards since 1980. Following the two consecutive World Cup qualifying events, Deeridge Farms proved itself an ideal setting to host prestigious equestrian competitions.
The inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend, presented by the National Horse Show Association of America, for the benefit of the USHJA Foundation, took place March 1-5 and celebrated the nation’s best hunter horses and riders.
The hunter horses and riders competed head-to-head for big prize money on a beautiful, custom-designed grass competition field against the backdrop of Deeridge Farms — the perfect setting to highlight the grace and beauty of the sport. No detail was overlooked, including the popular VIP experience in the Taylor Harris Club, with a sumptuous array of food and beverages in a double-decker ringside tent.
“We were so happy to have the opportunity to host an international hunter derby as well as a pony derby this year at the inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend,” Katie Jacobs-Robinson said. “We hope everyone enjoyed the new event and had a great time competing.”
The Deeridge Derby Weekend kicked off with lower-level young jumper competition on Wednesday and Thursday. Hunter derby competition heated up on Friday, leading up to the weekend’s feature class: the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by the World Equestrian Center, which consisted of two rounds spanning Saturday and Sunday.
Meagan Murray-Tenuta and Editorial claimed first-place honors in round one of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Saturday. It was stiff competition throughout the duration of the class with 40 horse-and-rider combinations seeking the top spots in the round one standings. Murray-Tenuta, who hails from Zion, Ill., left the ring having earned the highest score between the two judging panels aboard Editorial, owned by Rebecca Price.
The lakeside hunter derby field welcomed back the top 24 horses on Sunday to show off their style and handiness in the second round of competition. While Murray-Tenuta and Editorial led the rankings after the first round, it was Wellington native Kristy Herrera who reigned supreme, crowned the winner of the highly anticipated class aboard Candid, owned by her longtime trainer and mentor, Jennifer Alfano.
While Herrera qualified for the handy phase on both of her entries, Candid and Miss Lucy, it was with Candid that she had the most success. The duo was sitting in second place going into Sunday afternoon’s round, just narrowly missing the first-place spot. “Sheldon,” as he is called back in the barn, has far less experience than Miss Lucy, but that didn’t stop Herrera from riding him to victory.
“Candid was amazing today. This was only his second derby, and he stepped up like a champion. He was so awesome,” Herrera said.
“I want to thank Katie [Jacobs-Robinson] and the Jacobs family, because having hunters go on this beautiful field and having a venue like this to showcase our horses is amazing,” Alfano added.
The Deeridge Farms setting left the riders and spectators with a positive feeling as the show came to a close on Sunday.
“I’m really thankful to have another venue here,” Herrera said. “I show at the Winter Equestrian Festival most of the time when I’m in Wellington, so it’s a nice break to come here. This is a beautiful course they’ve built, and we are lucky to be able to show here.”
Second-place winner Kelli Cruciotti agreed. “It was beautiful,” she said. “The venue — you can’t get anything better. A huge thank you to the Jacobs and Robinson families. I have to say, it is one of the best venues we’ve been at all year.”
Third-place winner Havens Schatt shared similar sentiments. “The venue is incredible, and we are so appreciative as hunter riders to be able to be showcased in a place like this,” she said. “We feel very important, just like these grand prix riders do.”
Jacobs-Robinson thanked all of the horse and rider pairs for making the first Deeridge Derby Weekend a success.
“Thank you so much for coming. It really meant a lot to me to look out and see so many old and new friends,” she said. “You guys really brought a great competition, and it made it really special. We would love to host another Deeridge Derby Weekend in 2018.”
For more information on the Deeridge Derby Weekend, visit www.deeridge.com.
