Wellington, Fla. –April 1, 2017– The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) is quickly coming to a close with only one day of competition remaining in Week Twelve. The $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby held at Equestrian Village on the derby field kicked off Saturday, with hunter riders showcasing their talents during the first round.
With only the top 25 competitors from the first round returning on Sunday for the handy round, 41 horse and rider combinations hoped to make a statement over the classic course designed by Kenny Krome of Maryland. The 12 jump course was challenging, but allowed riders to show off their horses and add points to their round one score by offering four higher option fences.
Few competitors were able to take all of the higher options successfully and the majority of riders chose to stick with the normal fence height when it came to the course.
Even fewer riders could catch Maggie Jayne and Like I Said, an 8-year-old Mecklenburg mare owned by Pony Lane Farm. Like I Said is a fairly new import for Jayne, as the pair have only been competing since the start of this year. The duo will return Sunday afternoon as the leading combination after their score of 186 earned them the blue in round one.
Round one video of Maggie Jayne and Like I Said
“My plan going into the round today was just nice and smooth,” explained Jayne. “I didn’t think there were any traps. Like I Said is a super brave horse and she’s very confident. I didn’t have to hold her hand anywhere, which allowed me to show her off and she was perfect. She is super easy going, she is quiet, brave, scopey, and fun.”
Jayne, who owns Our Day Farm based in Illinois, ended round one with two horses returning to compete on Sunday. Saturday was her first time to ride Coronado, an 8-year old Zangersheide stallion owned by Pony Lane Farm. The pair placed 13th with a round one score of 165 to qualify for the handy round.
“I’m super excited I have two in the top 25,” said Maggie Jayne. “They were both awesome today, so we’re going to try and go for it tomorrow.
“Tomorrow, I’ll be showing Coronado before Like I Said, which is going to be a nice change of pace,” continued Jayne. “This was actually my first time ever riding him since my sister was sick today. Both of them are super brave and these jumps at one point have been in the grand hunter ring, which was nice and inviting because we don’t show on grass a lot. My plan for tomorrow is to just be handy.”
Earning second place was Victoria Colvin and Onyx RCF, a 14-year-old Warmblood stallion owned by Rivercross Farm, with a round one score of 184.
Finishing in third with a score of 181.5 was Amy Momrow and Aeroplane, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Melissa Wight.
The $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby will continue with round two Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village.
Top 25 combinations returning for round two:
- Maggie Jayne – Like I Said – 186
- Victoria Colvin – Onyx RCF – 184
- Amy Momrow – Aeroplane – 181.5
- Kelley Farmer – Kodachrome – 179.25
- Laura Sexton – Comissario – 179
- Jennifer Bliss – Poker Face – 175.001
- Victoria Colvin – Cuba – 175
- David Oliynyk – Generous – 174
- Peter Wylde – MTM Hands Down – 173.5
- Kelley Farmer – Point Being – 173
- Meagan Murray-Tenuta – Editorial – 173
- Amber Henter – Galan – 166
- Maggie Jayne – Coronado – 165
- Havens Schatt – Mostly Sunny – 165
- Kelley Farmer – Mindful – 161
- Molly Ashe – Autumn Rhythm – 157.5
- Alexandra Pielet – Common Sense – 157
- Gabrielle Strigel – Cosmeo – 156.5
- Sara Mccloskey – Action Painting – 156.5
- Sara Green – Carento – 151
- Casey Lorusso – Sauje – 149.001
- Megan Young – Kenan – 149
- Jason Clukey – Disclosure – 148
- Erica Quinn – Celtic Fire – 147
- Havens Schatt – Breeze – 144