PRESS RELEASE
Del Mar, CA – July 29, 2017 – Besting a field of nearly forty entries, Katie Taylor rode Shannon Nugent’s Oboras Split to victory in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by THIS, at the Showpark Racing Festival. Taylor earned scores of 84 and 92 to claim the title with Oboras Split, but she also ribboned on three other entries to wrap up a successful derby day.
Taylor noted that she learned about the courses, designed by Scott Starnes of Bend, OR, from each of her entries and made adjustments with her later mounts accordingly. In the handy, performing tight inside turns seamlessly gave her an edge.
“He’s really, really handy, so getting through the first round and knowing that I had him for the Handy, plus being able to do it on three other horses first, made it so I really knew the track. He was just awesome,” Taylor explained.
Taylor and Oboras Split competed in their first USHJA National Hunter Derby together at the Blenheim June Classic III; they took home fourth place. Knowing the horse better this time around, Taylor and the gelding showcased the dynamic duo they can be. For their win, Taylor earned a pair of Roeckl Sports gloves, an embroidered Blenheim EquiSports cooler, and an engraved pewter plate.
Shannon Nugent was awarded the Balmoral Winning Owner Award for her horse’s success. The Blue Ribbon Blankets Winning Trainer Award went to Hailey Flowers. Twelve-year-old Skylar Wireman won The Plaid Horse Highest Placed Junior Rider for her fifth place finish aboard Captivated. Placing twelfth on Cappo 7, Kassy Perry earned the One K Helmets Highest Placed Amateur Rider. Pedro Soto won the EquiFit Groom’s Award for Best Turned Out Horse for his work with John French’s ride Namaste, who picked up sixth place.
The Blenheim Summer Classic will feature a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by THIS, the week of August 16.
RESULTS
$10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by THIS
Placing – Horse – Rider – Owner – Total Score
1. Oboras Split – Katie Taylor – Shannon Nugent – 176
2. Cedric Croft – John French – Anna Jacoby – 175
3. Amar – Philip Cillis – Alex Trubey – 174
4. Holland – Katie Taylor – Shama Alghurair – 172
5. Captivated – Skylar Wireman – Shayne Wireman – 169
6. Namaste – John French – Michelle James – 166
7. Stanley F – Chelsea Jones – Linda Freeman – 164.5
8. Liberte – Katie Taylor – Sara Someck – 163
9. Cosette – Katie Taylor – Susan Thompson – 151
10. Leoville D – Robert Sean Leckie – Gwen Grierson – 140
11. Harvard Grad – Robert Sean Leckie – Ashley Haskins – 130
12. Cappo 7 – Kassy Perry – Kassy Perry – 129.5
