Thirty entries took to the CaptiveOne Advisors Indoor Arena Friday afternoon to contest the $10,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Hunter Derby, but it was Dorothy Douglas and MTM Farm’s MTM Milagros that secured the highest overall score, 11 points higher than the second-place score.

“She is very new to me, so I was showing her this week to get to know her, because in two weeks we’ll be showing in Kentucky,” Douglas said. “She’s an amazing jumper and is so much fun.”

Douglas and MTM Milagros delivered a gorgeous first round, taking all four high options to earn the classes highest first round score of 87.

Douglas and MTM Milagros were the last pair to return for the handy, taking an inside turn that not many other competitors attempted.

“My trainer, Mike McCormick, convinced me that I could do it. We were going over the course and I was thinking that there was no way that I am going to jump the in-and-out, go inside the tree, make a quick right U-turn and jump the fence. Long story short, I ended up doing it on both my horses,” she said.

The new pair navigated a flawless handy course, taking each inside turn that was available while jumping all four high options to earn the classes highest handy score of 93, for a two round total of 180.

Second place honors went to Suzanna Treske and her own Macallan (Stalypso x D-Pico Bello). Treske from Waxhaw, North Carolina and the 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding produced a very smooth first round, taking all four high options to receive a score of 83. The pair returned for the handy round, taking multiple tight turns while jumping all four high options for a score of 86, for an overall score of 169.

Douglas also took home third place honors on MTM Farm’s MTM Incanto (Cornet Obolensky x Zaza Di Villagana). Douglas and the 6-year-old Warmblood gelding delivered a lovely first round taking all four high options to earn a score of 78. Douglas returned for the handy on MTM Incanto, taking the very difficult inside turn before the tree to receive a high score of 90, for an overall score of 168.

“I think both horses are going to be amazing small junior derby horses,” Douglas said. “They have tons of scope, easy lead changes and both jump so well. They are also very relaxed in their environment and aren’t spooky. They just love their jobs.”

$10,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Hunter Derby Results:

1. MTM Milagros, Dorothy Douglas, MTM Farm:  87 | 93 | 180
2. Macallan, Suzanna Treske, Suzanna Treske:  83 | 86 | 169
3. MTM Incanto, Dorothy Douglas, MTM Farm: 78 | 90 | 168
4. Sugarman, Jennifer Bliss, Harris Hill Farm, LLC:  80 | 87 | 167
5. RSH Fenomene Des Reves, Christina Schweir, Royal Sport Horses: 81 | 80 | 161
6. I.M. Gold, Bailey Benner, Bailey Benner: 77 | 83 | 160
7. Rumor Mill, Emily Hertz Chadwell, Debra Regh: 79 | 80 | 159
8. My Way, Shannon Dickenson, Stacey Vertullo: 76.250 | 78 | 154.250
9. Avicii, Paige Keener, Paige Keener: 76.5| 75 | 151.5
10. Empress, Wyette Felton, Wyette Felton: 82 | 46 | 128

Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.