"I knew I won the National Hunter Derby and went out there for the presentation, but I kind of lost track where the other horses I rode placed. As I watched my horses come in for the ribbons I couldn't believe it," she said. "I was like...that's mine...ok, that's mine too...that's mine," she laughed. "You can't get too many compliments on a day like that," she said. "The horses were so good, just stellar, and it was just a great day," added Shepherd.

The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Kruse Cushion Ride [KCR], took place on Friday and welcomed twenty horse and rider teams to a course designed by Allen Rheinheimer.

Shepherd returned for the sixth place ribbon with Sabina Holtzman's Re Chiste after earning a combined score of 172. Seventh was awarded to Elizabeth Faraci's Phelps, ridden by Megan Young of Jacksonville, Florida for their overall score of 170. Eighth went to Helen Gilbert's Primera, ridden by Ashley Shaw of Ellisville, Missouri for their overall score of 163. Schumacher, owned by Julie Dodd and ridden by Hannah Dodd of Kearney, Missouri earned a ninth place ribbon for their overall score of 158 and Gin Fizz 67, owned by Lakeview, Inc. and ridden by Isabella Bleu Baxter of Wright City, Missouri placed tenth for their overall score of 153.5. Shelley Stettner's Jacob's Creek, ridden by Jacqueline Roberts-McQueen of Asbury, New Jersey, placed eleventh and Crimson Tide, owned and ridden by Katie McDonnell of The Woodlands, Texas, wrapped up the class with a twelfth place finish.

Kruse Cushion Ride is the Official Footing Provider for the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Circuit. Made of recycled material and there is very little dust. It is absolutely the perfect footing for your indoor or outdoor arenas-all at an affordable price.

 

For more information, visit Kruse Cushion Ride on the web or stop in the office for more information.

Classic Company just announced the $30,000 Green Hunter Classic, in memory of Ellen Veitch and presented by Ariat, JPC Equestrian, The Farmhouse and Friends, scheduled to take place Week I at the Atlanta Fall Classic.

All Sidelines Green Hunter Divisions held at Classic and Gulf Coast Classic shows provide qualifying opportunities, and Holly Shepherd definitely grabbed some points Week VI as well as Megan Young of Jacksonville, Florida when they won the 3' and 3'3" Sidelines Green Hunter Championships, respectively.

Megan Young, Champion in the 3'3" Sidelines Green Hunter said, "I think it's great and very exciting that we have a horse show manager promoting the development of the young horses and in memory of Ellen [Veitch] who we all loved. It would be nice if more horse shows would follow suit and provide opportunities like that for the young horses and any horses, really. It's always nice when the horse shows give back a little bit," she said.

Shepherd took the Championship with Belle Rolfe's Boure in the 3' Sidelines Green Hunter Division, besting a field of sixteen horse and rider teams. She also rode Jerez Mail, owned by Micaela Kennedy to the Reserve Championship. "Boure is one of the nicest Pre-Green horses I've ever sat on," said Shepherd. "I've shown him for the last four weeks and he is just awesome," she added.

What are Shepherd's plans in view of the upcoming $30,000 Green Hunter Classic? "I think I might just head to Jacksonville," she said.

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Week VI wraps up the Gulf Coast Winter Classic and Young commented, "I was there for four weeks and we just loved it! The place is horse friendly, the staff is exhibitor friendly, it's a great town, on the beach and the weather was beautiful," she said. Young is planning on competing at the Jacksonville Spring Classic in a few weeks.