Megan Rosenthal and Den Dekker Celebrate Victory in $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby at Tryon Fall Finale

By Michelle Yelton for TIEC

November 13, 2021 – Megan Rosenthal (USA) and Den Dekker celebrated victory in the Tryon Fall Finale $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby at TIEC with a score of 179. Coming in second place with a score of 174 was Macy Williams (USA) aboard Fernhill Corbeaugh Delux, the 2013 Irish Sport Horse gelding (unknown breeding) owned by Select Sport Horses. Sadie Parker (USA) and Balanchine d’Inca, the 2011 Selle Francaise gelding (Quite Easy x Jessica d’Anglin) that she owns with Carol Parker, earned 172 points for third place. 

Rosenthal was very pleased with the Dean Rheinheimer (USA) course that challenged 11 horse-and-rider pairs.

“[The courses] were really nice. Last week the derby was pretty straight forward. We had a smaller group here. Just one kid competed in the class, and so it was nice to see this week because the course asked a couple more questions, the fences were built a little bit bigger, and it was a lot of fun. The horse went really well,” explained Rosenthal. 

Rosenthal’s partnership with the 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Wonia) owned by her family’s farm, Fairytale Farms, is new, so she debated on how aggressively to ride in order to put in a strong performance against a top-notch field of entries.

“Everyone I felt really brought their A-game. There were some really high scores being thrown out there. The horse that I rode is still relatively new to us. We just got him, and so I really just wanted to be smooth and consistent. I like, in the handy, sometimes being a little bit bold and daring, and I was honestly debating whether or not to take some of the inside turns with him just cause I don’t know him quite as well. But, he was game and he was right there ready and just slipped inside a couple places and I was really happy with how he performed.  

Rosenthal has had her hands full with clients during the Tryon Fall Finale, but is thankful everything has gone well. 

 “We are lucky to have a lot of clients here. and everyone’s having a good time competing. You know it’s always a little bit tougher with the three-day B show schedule having so many classes with all the horses that we have back to back, but I think everything’s been run very smoothly and the days are getting done as relatively early as they can and everyone’s having a good time. We’re based in Charlotte, NC, so we ended up here since it’s so close and it’s always enjoyable and fun.”

For full results from the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, click here.