California Riding Magazine • July, 2010

Show Report:
USHJA International
Hunter Derby
Martel and Jenny Karazissis
Top a Field of 41

Jenny Karazissis and Martel are joined by trainer James Hagman and the Horrigan Family. Presenting the awards are Blenheim EquiSports Marketing Director Melissa Braunstein and President Robert Ridland. Photo © Flying Horse Photography

The hunters were stellar on a surprisingly cool Saturday in San Juan Capistrano. Forty-one competitors galloped around the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby course with 14 returning for the Handy Round. Jenny Karazissis piloted Martel (Star Lane Farms, owner) with poise, winning both rounds for the top prize. The class was held June 12 in San Juan Capistrano.

The first round included 11 efforts, with four 4’ options. The course flowed smoothly, not too many trouble spots, although quite a few rails fell literally knocking several top horses out of the running for a ribbon.
Because this was a 2010/2011 qualifying class, new rules were in effect. Each 4’ option jumped is automatically awarded one point, so up to four points were added to both sets of judges scores.

Young amateur Melissa Doddridge, who had three entries in the class, went early on Best Man and scored a total of 179 and the lead until reigning champions Crown Affair (Yellow Dog Farms LLC, owner) with John French in the irons came along twelfth in the order, scoring a total of 181. Several horses tied in points, Forbes (Tonia Cook Looker, owner), a top Derby mount piloted by Jenny Karizissis tied with Doddridge and Best Man at 179. Bentley, also ridden by Doddridge, and Two Goals Farm’s On Top with Keri Kampsen both earned 178. Then came Martel. Trotting in thirty-second in the order the handsome chestnut ridden by Karazissis wowed the crowd and the judges with his style. With scores of 96 and 95, the pair totaled an impressive 191, 10 full points above the leader. John French also rode his First Year Green Hunter Truman (Mary Sweeney, owner) beautifully for the second highest score, a total of 184.

The handy round included a trot jump, four 4’ options, a hand gallop to an oxer option and a bounce at the end by the in-gate. Fourteen horses returned, since the twelfth spot was shared by three horses with a 166 score. Shadows on the jumps and the long gallop to the oxer caused some surprising rails and refusals in this round. Although certainly talented hunters, Forbes, Best Man, Bentley and Catani moved down in placing due to challenges on course. However the top three remained strong and their scores reflected the solid rides. The king of the Hunter Derby, John French, was third on Crown Affair with a total of 369 and second on Truman with 371. Certainly if he’s king, “Jenny K” is queen of the Hunter Derby and she earned her crown on Martel, topping the class with a grand total of 397.

“It was amazing,” beamed Kosti, Jenny’s husband and partner. “Like watching Touch The Sun and Bernie Traurig. Kudos to her for coming back after the ride on Forbes didn’t go well.”

“Kosti reminded me to let it go,” Jenny chimed in about her ride on Forbes and ensuing win on Martel. “This was Martel’s first start in a Derby. I’m thankful that trainer Jim Hagman and the Horrigan family let me ride him.”

The Blenheim Racing Festival at Del Mar Horsepark in late July offers yet another $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Blenheim EquiSports, an equestrian event management company based in San Juan Capistrano, produces over 30 events per year in three locations: San Juan Capistrano, Del Mar and Las Vegas. The events include 18 USEF “A” or “AA” rated hunter-jumper shows featuring several World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix, USHJA International Hunter Derbies, Pony Finals, Medal Finals and more. Visit www.showpark.com for more details.

Article provided by EquestriSol for Blenheim EquiSports.