Adrienne Iverson topped a field of 46 in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse show in North Salem, N.Y., making it her first derby win.
Although her partnership with the 8-year-old Salto Mortale is only a few months old, Iverson clicked with him quickly. “I didn’t have these expectations,” Iverson admitted. “I knew he was brave and going to do well, but this was beyond what we were expecting for this horse. He was easy from the first day. He’s just a sweet, easy horse. I knew he would be easy, but the quality we were shocked by a little bit. It takes a lot for a horse who’s only been here for a month, to step up and do something like this, especially at this late in the day. I’m really proud of him.”
Iverson is originally from Oakville, Ont., but has worked for Emil Spadone at Redfield’s Farm for over two years. This was her fifth hunter derby. “I’d like to do more,” she said. “I really enjoy them. It gives a little bit more interest and sponsorship to hunters in this country. It’s my first win [in an international derby], and it’s exciting.”
Watch Iverson talk about her ride.
Katie Dinan and Nougat du Vallet won the $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix, while last week’s winners, Todd Minikus and Uraguay, had to settle for second. For full results, visit HorseShowsOnline.com.
In picturesque Keswick, Va., the 109th annual Keswick Horse Show featured top hunters and jumpers. Winn Alden placed first with City of Angels and third with Bay Breeze in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, while Jane Gaston picked up several top placings to be named best amateur-owner hunter rider. See full results at HorseShowsOnline.com.
In other horse show news, Liza Boyd had a winning weekend at the Atlanta Spring Challenge (Ga.), topping with $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with Brunello and finishing second with Quatrain, while Megan Wexler and Cadence won the $30,000 Atlanta Spring Challenge Grand Prix over Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z (see results).
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In the eventing world, the inaugural Chattahoochee Hills International (Ga.) crowned three CIC champions. Riders were full of praise for the special show jumping under the lights on Friday night, even if it was a little damp.
Fresh off their win in the CIC** at Jersey Fresh (N.J.), Lauren Kieffer and Veronica won the CIC***, while Buck Davidson and No More Rocks topped the CIC**. Andrew Palmer lead from start to finish in the CIC* with Tatendrang (see results).
Watch Buck Davidson’s cross-country round on No More Rocks.
In sad news oversees, German eventer Dirk Schrade’s 2012 London Olympic Games mount, King Artus, died after completing the cross-country at the Wiesbaden three-day event (Germany).
More horse show shows from the weekend included Kentucky Spring Classic (see results), Show Jumping Classic (Texas) (see results) and Show Place Spring Classic (Ill.) (see results).
More eventing resuls included Otter Creek (Wis.) (see results), Fair Hill Horse Trials (Md.) (see results), Greater Dayton Horse Trials (Oh.) (see results) and Kent School Horse Trials (Conn.) (see results).
