Second Annual Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships Wrap Up

Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 8, 2022—The second annual Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championships wrapped up in November after six championships were held across the country in the North, North Central, South, South Central and Southwest regions. As an added benefit to the USHJA International Hunter Derby Program participants, riders may choose whichever regional championship to compete in and horses may show in multiple regional championships.

Augusta Iwasaki and Small Kingdom claimed the North Central Championship. Photo by Winslow Photography.

The North Central Championship was held June 8-12 at the Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic I CSI3* in Lexington, Kentucky. 

• Champion: Augusta Iwasaki, of Calabasas, California, and Small Kingdom, owned by Elizabeth Reilly, Augusta Iwasaki and Chris M. Iwasaki
• Reserve: Victoria Colvin, of Loxahatchee, Florida, and Jordantinus, owned by Allison Ventura

The North Championship took place at the I Love New York Horse Show, July 5-10 in Lake Placid, New York. 

• Champion: Jimmy Torano, of Wellington, Florida, and Laskano, owned by Isalou, Inc.
• Reserve: Torano, and Moonlight, also owned by Isalou, Inc.

The South Championship was September 14-18 at the Aiken Fall Festival II in Aiken, South Carolina. 

• Champion: Elizabeth Boyd, of Camden, South Carolina, and MTM Hand Him Over, owned by Rebekah Warren
• Reserve: Skyler Ezzell, of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, and her own Quoted

Jimmy Torano piloting Laskano over an oxer to take home the North Championship. Photo by Kind Media.

The South Central Championship was held at the Southwest Showdown, September 21-25 in Katy, Texas.

• Champion: Jef Lauwers, of Magnolia, Texas, and Hallpass, owned by Sue Copeland
• Reserve: Rachel Lindsey, of Austin, Texas, riding Folklore, owned by Amberlea Tribble

The Northwest Championship was at the Northwest Spectacular, August 31 - September in Wilsonville, Oregon. 

• Champion: Quinn Partridge, of Redman, Washington, and Chaperone, owned by Emma Lorimer
• Reserve: Ella Cate Duke, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, aboard her own Understudy

The Southwest Championship finished off the year at the National Sunshine Series II, November 8-13 in Thermal, California.

• Champion: Nick Haness, of San Clemente, California, and HH Elmo, owned by Lindsay Maxwell
• Reserve: Nicole Bourgeois, of Wilsonville, Oregon, riding Mc Queen, owned by Charlotte Holtke

Nicole Bourgeois and Mc Queen take home the reserve placing in the Southwest Championship. Photo by ESI Photography.

Each year, horses enrolled in the USHJA International Hunter Derby Program can choose from six regional championships held across the country to compete in and vie for a regional title. In 2023, horses may compete in multiple Regional Championships with six locations to choose from:

• North Central Championship - Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic I in Lexington, Kentucky, June 7-11, 2023
• North Championship - I Love New York in Lake Placid, New York, July 4-9, 2023
• South Championship - Aiken Fall Festival II, in Aiken, South Carolina, September 13-17, 2023
• South Central Championship - Southwest Showdown in Katy, Texas, September 20-24, 2023
• Northwest Championship - Northwest Spectacular in Wilsonville, Oregon, August 30 - September 3, 2023 
• Southwest Championship - National Sunshine Series II in Thermal, California, November 8-13, 2023

Quinn Partridge and Chaperone took home the tri-colored ribbons for the Northwest Championship. Photo by Grand Pix Photography.

The USHJA would like to thank Title Sponsor Platinum Performance; Official Sponsors CWD, Exhibitor's, Parlanti, Nutrena, and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy; and award sponsor Essex Classics for their support. A special thank you also goes to the teams at Split Rock Jumping Tour, Lake Placid Horse Shows, Team NW Equestrian Sports, Equus Events, Southbound Show Management and Desert International Horse Park 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.

Photo: Kind Media (Left Cover Photo)