Edited Press Release
An elegant holiday-themed décor set a festive scene for World Equestrian Center – Wilmington’s Derby Friday classes. Flocked trees, natural jump features and several mega-sized gifts were hard to miss on the R+L arenascape.
Besting a field of 16 entries, Molly Mcadow of Highland Manor Farm and her own Caston took top honors in the WEC Hunter Derby 3′ – Open. Mcadow and Caston were the only duo in the class to earn a pair of scores in the 90s. Their stylish first round earned them a 91. Welcomed back to the ring for the handy round, Mcadow and her mount navigated the course brilliantly, earning a score of 93. Their efforts added up to a 184 total and ultimately earned them the blue ribbon.
“[Caston] is such a great horse and I have owned him now for six years,” Meadow said. “I just got him back from a lease earlier this week and decided to play around with him in the Derby before he gets tried for another lease next Wednesday. I haven’t gotten to ride him in six months, so we went out there to just have fun! I know him so well and he is so trustworthy. I can always count on him!”
Just behind Mcadow was Michaella T. Gerlacher of Willow Way Farm in Johnstown, Ohio and Janet Cohn’s Calisandro. The stunning 10-year-old gray Hanoverian gelding (Stolzenberg x Calida) earned an 86 in round one, followed by an impressive 90 in the handy, totalling 176 for second place.
David Beisel of David Beisel Stables, Goshen, Ohio and Lori Taylor’s Davidson were also impressive. Beisel has been exhibiting this handsome gelding at nearly every WEC show since their Derby debut this summer. Today they earned an 86.25 and an 84 to total 170.25, for a third place finish.
Thirteen stunning entries took on the WEC Hunter Derby 3′ – Non Pro course in the R+L arena for Derby Friday. Previous WEC Open Derby winner, All In, was piloted by Jacquelynn Christenson to take the blue in today’s Non-Pro division. The 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood delivered two foot-perfect rounds for scores of 90 and 84, totaling 174 for the first place finish.
“I’ve had him for five years now. He is the world’s best hunter horse!” Christenson exclaimed. “[He’s] always so trustworthy and the nicest horse that I’ve ever had. Not only is he such a pro, he really enjoys what he does. Riding him is always a blast because he loves to jump and he loves the show ring.”
Sophie Carlin and her own Cabochon (Cabardino x Kountdown) were hot on Christenson and All In’s tail. Carlin and the 6-year-old chestnut Warmblood mare earned a pair of 86’s, for a total score of 172 and a red ribbon.
A second horse named All In (Pontifex x Ferrara) and his owner, Nicole C. Lyvere, rounded out the top three. This seasoned duo has several derby wins under their belt and today the 17-year-old bay Westphalian gelding earned impressive scores of 87.5 and 81 to total 168.5 for third place.
WEC Hunter Derby 3’ Open Results
- Caston, Molly Mcadow – 91 | 93 | 184
- Calisandro, Michaella T. Gerlacher – 86 | 90 | 176
- Davidson, David Beisel – 86.25 | 84 | 170.25
- Apparently, Tammy Provost – 90 | 76 | 166
- Cinda, Melissa P. Donnelly – 79 | 82.25 | 161.25
- First Crush, Stefanie A. Portman – 84 | 77 | 161
- Argento, Stefanie A. Portman – 81 | 79 | 150
- Dianthos XO, Mandy Vergerio – 75 | 82 | 157
- Corlando 49, Melissa P. Donnelly – 72.5 | 84 | 156.5
- Juan Colorado, Melissa P. Donnelly – 76 | 74 | 150
WEC Hunter Derby 3’ Non-Pro Results
- All In, Jacquelynn Christenson – 90 | 84 | 174
- Cabochon, Sophie Carlin – 86 | 86 | 172
- All In, Nicole C. Lyvere – 87.5 | 81 | 168.5
- The Boy Friend, Paige J. Beisel – 72 | 79 | 151
- Oodelally, Charlotte A. Oulanoff – 75 | 75.5 | 150.5
- Colbrew, Natalie Tezsla – 84 | 62 | 146
- Stevens, Madyson Schuh – 68 | 77 | 145
- Corfou Marienshof Z, Autumn Bradbury – 74 | 68 | 142
- Ritz Carlton, Nikki Moffat – 50 | 67 | 137
- Cosmo Cool, Grace Hildebrand – 49 | 71 | 120
Photos courtesy of Winslow Photography
