Traverse City, MI – July 9, 2014 – Although Scott Stewart is temporarily grounded after breaking his collarbone last week, his absence provided a unique opportunity for Amanda Derbyshire during Horse Shows by the Bay Series II, July 9-13.

Derbyshire, 25, a grand prix jumper rider from Leyland, Lancashire, England–who rides and trains for the Gochman family–had competed here and there in a hunter class, but before Horse Shows by the Bay she’d never competed in the Regular Conformation section. 

Aboard David Gochman’s Fredrick, she claimed both blue ribbons over fences and won the under saddle. Fredrick also topped the model on his way to a sweep today in the section, sponsored by Black Star Farms & Winery.

“I’m a jumper girl! It’s nice when you get to do a horse as nice as that. He’s fun, so smooth and nice. I’m glad they gave me the chance to do him,” she said.

Derbyshire took over Fredrick’s reins during the second day of competition last week after Stewart’s injury, and she had an instant rapport with the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood (by Coluer Rouge).

“I’ve done the kids’ hunters a couple of times, and I did a little hunter derby in Saratoga [New York] one time,” she said. “This is the first full hunter section I’ve ever done.”

When asked if she might be a convert to the hunters, Derbyshire smiled. “I guess doing both is fun,” she said. “Becky just got this beautiful new horse, and he’s amazing. I’m glad I got to have a go.

“I guess I kind of like it,” she continued. “It’s different. What I really love is the ponies; they’re my favorite. Now, if I get to show in this once in a while, I’ll be happy.”

Greg Crolick, of Top Call LLC in Auburn Hills, Michigan, was also happy today. He piloted two new horses to top calls in the High Performance/Second Year Green Hunter section, sponsored by Missy and Doug Smith and Top Call LLC.

Aboard Zack RVR, owned by Apollo BM Enterprises LLC, he jumped to victory in both over fences classes with scores of 86 and 85, and with Adrienne Marciano’s Aeroplane, he claimed second and third.

“[Zack RVR] is a lovely horse,” said Crolick. “I’ve had him now for 3 ½ weeks. I have a client who leased him for last week and this week, so this was my second time showing him. I saw him do a derby in Kentucky, and he was brave and honest, which is just what we wanted.”

Crolick’s student will also show Zack RVR this week in the Children’s Hunter section, and if all goes according to plan the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood will become a member of the Top Call family.

Aeroplane, an 8-year-old Hanoverian (by Embassy), is a newcomer to the hunter ring and to Top Call LLC.  

“This is my second show with him,” said Crolick. “I got him from a friend of mine in Pennsylvania. He was doing the jumpers, being a low to medium amateur jumper. He’s really big and he moves really well, and he really wants to be a hunter. So, last week was my first week with him. He definitely wants to be a derby horse.”

Aeroplane earned scores in the low to mid-80s in the Regular Conformation and High Performance/Second Years today, becoming more consistent as the day progressed.

“This is his second week of being a hunter, so he’s still trying to figure out the whole job and how not to go fast and how not to be in a jump-off,” said Crolick laughing. “But he does the job easy, and he’ll figure it out. Once he takes a big deep breath, he’ll be even better.”

Crolick also guided Orchard Lake Farm LLC’s Revival to first and second places over fences in the First Year Green section, for a very successful day. 

The competition was hot in the Green Conformation section, sponsored by Lisa A.H. Cudahy, with three different horses taking home blue ribbons. But Sizzle turned on the most heat, jumping to a win over fences and trotting to victory under saddle with Hayley Barnhill in the saddle. He was also second in the model behind Chicago and Ehrin Rittmueller and second to Well Versed and Meagan Murray in one over fences class. 

Owned by John and Stephanie Ingram, the 9-year-old Hanoverian (Balou Du Rouet–Hauptstutch Cora) was purchased earlier this year to be daughter Martha’s Small Junior Hunter.

Trainer Tom Wright, of Uphill Farm, noticed Sizzle, with the nickname of Bacon, during the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida. The adorable bay with white markings caught his eye immediately.

“He actually reminded me of Captain Hook, our medium pony,” said Wright. “He looks to me like the quintessential Small Junior. He’s really cute, a beautiful mover and great jumper. He also fits Martha’s style of riding because she likes to ride soft and relaxed, and he likes that.”

Martha agreed: “It’s a nice change from my other horses that are kind of lazy. He’s my relaxing ride, and I don’t have to work as hard, which is nice!”

Horse Shows by the Bay Series II is also a United States Hunter Jumper Association/World Championship Hunter Rider member event, so hunter riders earn points toward WCHR regional and national year-end awards. 

In addition, this week features the Hillside Farm High-Score Hunter Awards, given to the highest-scoring horse/rider combinations from the U.S. Equestrian Federation rated hunter sections, including the Green Working, Conformation, Performance, Junior, Amateur-Owner, Pony, Children’s Pony, Children’s Horse and Adult Amateur.

The day’s top score in the R.L. Polk Family Main Hunter Ring was an 88, awarded by judges Carleton Brooks and James Toon, to On The Hour and Meagan Murray in the 3’6″ Performance Hunter section, sponsored by Team Rakowsky Equestrian.

Other Featured Winners Today Included:

• $1,500 1.40m Jumper, sponsored by Southview Inc. – Romeo Du Ry, owned by Melissa Wight and ridden by Lorcan Gallagher
• $1,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper, sponsored by Hunterpointe – Fidalgo Van Het Leliehof, owned by Siboney Ranch and ridden by Kaely Tomeu
• $750 Young Jumper 7-/8-year-olds, sponsored by Animo USA – Blue Moon 22, owned by Maisie H. McSwain and ridden by David Jennings
• $750 Young Jumper 6-year-olds, sponsored by Animo USA – Roc America, owned and ridden by Katie Hlis