Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships Crown Five Winners

Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 6, 2024— The fourth annual Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships wrapped up in November after five championships were held across the country.

The North Central Championship was held June 12-16 at the Traverse City Horse Shows Spring II in Traverse City, Michigan. 

• Champion: Unbelievable, owned by Forget Me Not Farm and ridden by Jacob Pope
• Reserve: Combat, owned by Kisma Equestrian, LLC, also ridden by Pope

The North Championship was held June 19-23 at the Saratoga Classic II in Stillwater, New York. 

• Champion: Cartel, ridden and owned by Jeffrey Ayers
• Reserve: Diamante, ridden and owned by Callie Seaman

"I've been competing in International Hunter Derbies since they first started," said Seaman. "This program was responsible for renewing my love for the Hunter ring and played a huge part in my decision to continue showing in the Hunters rather than choosing to just focus on the Jumpers. The addition of the Regional Championships has provided more opportunities to showcase and compete in more challenging and exciting hunter classes, and they have provided much-needed additional big-money Hunter classes to our sport."

The South Central Championship was September 18-22 at the Southwest Showdown in Katy, Texas.

• Champion: Kirby McCool's Call Me Sir, ridden by Nada Wise 
• Reserve: Chesterfield, owned by Stacey Thompson, with Wise in the irons

The Southwest Championship was held in Thermal, California over November 6-10 at the National Sunshine Series II.

• Champion: Vex Freedom, ridden by Alexandra Pielet and owned by Vex Sporthorse LTD
• Reserve: Kalli Heffner Gay's Reputation, ridden by Dustin Goodwin

The South Championship wrapped up the year at Holiday & Horses CSI4*, November 27-30 in Wellington, Florida.

• Champion: Incognito, ridden by John French and owned by Ellie Sadrian
• Reserve: Laskano, piloted by Jimmy Torano and owned by Isalou, Inc.

"I’ve always loved doing the Derbies, and the fact that we have the Regional Championships now is great," remarked French, the South Championship winner. "I took the horse that I won on to the [Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships] in August, but he was still a 3’6" Green horse, so I decided not to do him in the [Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship]. Now, we've ended the year strong and are ready for the Championships in Kentucky next year." 

The USHJA would like to thank Title Sponsor Platinum Performance and Official Sponsors CWD, Parlanti, and Nutrena. A special thank you also goes to the teams at the Traverse City Horse Show, Saratoga Horse Shows, Southbound Show Management, Desert International Horse Park, and Wellington International for hosting the Championships.

Learn more about the USHJA International Hunter Derby program at ushja.org/IHD. For more information about the USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships, visit ushja.org/IHDRC.

Photos: Andrew Ryback Photography, Jess Windhurst Photography, and Sportfot