Edited Press Release
Earlier in the day, Augusta Iwasaki took top honors in the $5,000 Hillside Farm Non Pro Traverse City Hunter Derby aboard Devito, owned by Iwasaki & Reilly. The duo’s scores of 91 and 90 for a total of 181 secured them the win.
“This was my first week showing him,” Iwasaki said of her performance aboard Devito. “I did him in the 3’3” Green Hunters to get used to him and he’s been amazing. He’s a really great jumper, even at jumps that aren’t super big. That really stands out.”
RJ Maya was just behind her in second with Callahan, owned by Lily Walton. Charlotte Harris claimed third place with E.S. Diathago 2.
As Iwasaki was in the ring, unbeknownst to her, other trainers were using her ride to teach their students how best to ride the course. As a top derby competitor, Iwasaki is one that the up-and-coming hunter riders aspire to. “It’s crazy to think about,” she said. “I still feel like a kid. It makes me happy and proud of all the training I had.”
Returning to Traverse City for the summer, Iwasaki hopes for more top results and to get to know more of her mounts in the hunter and jumper divisions. “Me and all of my friends and family love showing here,” she remarked of Flintfields Horse Park. “The weather is perfect and the venue is perfect. We always have a great time here.”
See full results from the $5,000 Hillside Farm Non Pro Traverse City Hunter Derby here.
Original press release courtesy of Traverse City Horse Shows.
