Dorothy Douglas & MTM La Vita Top the $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Open Hunter Derby at Winter Spectacular 9

Dorothy Douglas & MTM La Vita in the $15,000 WEC Ocala 3′ Open Hunter Derby. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.

Edited Press Release

Thirty-three stunning hunters gathered at the WEC Stadium Friday morning to compete for the blue ribbon in the $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Open Hunter Derby. Ultimately, it was Dorothy Douglas and MTM Farm’s MTM La Vita that earned a pair of scores in the 90s to secure the top prize.

Douglas and MTM La Vita entered the WEC Stadium toward the end of the order, producing a foot-by-foot perfect first round, jumping all four high options in perfect form to earn the class’s highest handy score of 93.

“MTM La Vita is incredible. She won all of the Pre Green classes this week. She is ready for a kid that wants an amazing small junior hunter,” said Douglas.

Douglas and the Holsteiner mare were the last pair to return for the handy round, “MTM La Vita has the best jumping style. In the handy there were I could have been a bit smoother but she still jumped perfectly. It is cool as a rider to know that you don’t have to be perfectly accurate in order to get a great jump,” expressed Doulgas.

Dorothy Douglas & MTM La Vita standing for their first place award. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.

Douglas and MTM La Vita put forth a gorgeous round, seamlessly rolling around the turns to earn a score of 90 from the judges for an overall score of 183.

“We love competing in this arena. The courses are always stunning, and the jumps are incredible. We couldn’t be at a better venue,” stated Douglas.

Isabel Harbour & Fitz in the $15,000 WEC Ocala 3′ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.

The $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby hosted 28 entries competing for the top prize, but it was Isabel Harbour and IMH Equine, LLC’s Fitz (Numero Uno x Kootje) that earned their third Jr/Am Hunter Derby win during the 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series.

Harbour and the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding created an impeccable first round, opting to take all four high options to earn the class’s highest first round score of 91. In the handy, the pair earned a score of 89, for an overall score of 180.

Fitz standing for his awards after winning the $15,000 WEC Ocala 3′ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.

“I love riding in this ring. The first round rode very nice. There was only one line where you had to do the nine and there were some related lines, but you could choose whether you wanted to stay out or be direct,” Harbour said. “There weren’t any crazy options for this handy. I just tried to stay smooth and let the jumps come to me.”

Megan Young accepting ‘The Style of Riding Award’ presented by Bill Rube. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.

Before the start of the handy round in the $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby, Bill Rube presented the prestigious Style of Riding Award to Megan Young for her classic style and her sportsmanship. The recipient serves as a role model for preserving the integrity and tradition of equestrian sport. “This award is very special to me, because the recipient of this award pays it forward both in and out of the show ring,” says Rube. Young received an elegant duffel bag and wore a yellow rose corsage on her lapel throughout the handy round to signify her achievement.

Photos courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.
Videos available at ClipMyHorse.TV.

$15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Open Hunter Derby Results:

1.MTM La Vita, Dorothy Douglas, MTM Farm: 93 | 90 | 183
2. Eldoret, Josh Dolan, Karen Redding: 88.5 | 91 | 179.5
3. Griffin, Erin-McCabe Clayton, Cecilia Halsey: 86 | 92 | 178
4. Moonwalk, Hillary Johnson, Copper Fox LLC: 90 | 87 | 177
5. Hela, Megan Young, Kristen Cox: 90.5 | 84.5 | 175
6. MTM Exceptional, Dorothy Douglas, Abigail Davenport: 89 | 85 | 174
7. Justified, Kathleen M Caya, Susan Winchester: 86.5 | 86 | 172.5
8. MTM July, Jennifer Ritucci, Kimber McCaslin: 88 | 84 | 172
9. MTM Worth It, Jennifer Ritucci, Kathy Beck: 87.5 | 82 | 169.5
10. Quentino, Brianna Davis, Heather Chenault: 87 | 69 | 156

$15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby Results:

1.Fitz, Isabel Harbour, IMH Equine, LLC: 91 | 89 | 180
2. Times Square, Brendan Weiss, Park Avenue Stables: 88 | 80 | 168
3. Now And Zen, Camryn Halley, Camryn Halley: 80 | 82 | 162
4. Quinlan Ace, Kyra Jones, Kyra Jones: 82 | 78 | 160
5. Miss Mo, Chelsea Kasper, Chelsea Kasper: 72 | 87 | 159
6. Newsworthy, Paige Lynch. Paige Lynch: 85 | 72 | 157
7. Global Contender, Riley Hogan, Donald Stewart: 76 | 79 | 155
8. Pageturner, Charlotte Mack, Kimberden Inc.: 80 | 69 | 149
9. Let It Be, Chelsea Dwinell, Chelsea Dwinell: 70.5 | 64 | 134.5
10. Lost Art, Isabel Harbour, IMH Equine, LLC: 78 | 49 | 127

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