Samantha Schaefer and In the Know Score $20,000 WEC 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby Hat Trick

Samantha Schaefer & In The Know in the $20,000 WEC Ocala 3’6″-3’9″ Hunter Derby. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.

Edited Press Release

Ocala, FL – Week X’s Derby Friday hosted nearly 100 entries eager to contest the $20,000 WEC Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby, $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Open Hunter Derby and $15,000 WEC Ocala 3’ Jr/Am Hunter Derby. Patrick Rhodes created the winding tracks that featured natural obstacles including a gorgeous stone wall and hedge fence.

The $20,000 WEC Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby saw competitive field of 19 entries compete for the ultimate prize over Patrick Rhodes natural tracks, but it was Samantha Schaefer and Madeline Schaefer’s In The Know  (Arkansas x Cavelle) that earned their third 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby win of the 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series.

Schaefer and the 12-year-old Warmblood gelding were the last pair to try their hand at the first round course, yielding an effortless first round to earn a high score of 92.

“Spyder [In The Know] was quite fresh this morning. I took him out earlier in the afternoon to stretch his legs and he was still pretty fresh, so I kept saying to myself, he’ll be fine. He ended up holding it together very well. The first course rode very nicely for him,” said Schaefer.

Samantha Schaefer & In The Know standing for their first place award. Photo courtesy of Andrew Ryback Photography.

Schaefer and In The Know returned to Hunter 1 under the lights for the handy. They navigated a foot perfect handy round to earn a score of 91 for a two round total of 183.

“I saw some riders before me do some tricky inside turns, but I thought it was better for him in this ring to just try and be smooth,” she said. “I didn’t want to twist him around and take a risk, especially with the eerie storm weather heading our way. So, I focused on consistency and showing off his amazing jump.”

$20,000 WEC Ocala 3’6”-3’9” Hunter Derby Results:

1.In The Know, Samantha Schaefer, Madeline Schaefer: 91 | 91 | 183
2. Small Kingdom, Augusta Iwasaki, Chris M Iwasaki: 86 | 89 | 175
3. Easy Money, Daniel Geitner, Daniel Geitner: 90 | 84.5 | 174.5
4. Cartel, Jeff Ayers, Jeff Ayers: 87 | 87 | 174
5. St Tropez, Daniel Geitner, Daniel Geitner: 84 | 86 | 170
6. Long Game, Ilana Halpern, Craig Starr: 85 | 84 | 169
7. Comissario, Morgan Ward, Morgan Ward: 88 | 77 | 165
8. TBS Rolls The Dice, Kim Mulligan, Kim Mulligan: 82 | 82 | 164
9. Jaromir, Kathleen M Caya, Kathleen M Caya: 78 | 80 | 158
10. Eurythmix, Kathleen M Caya, Kathleen M Caya: 79 | 78 | 157

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