Jennifer Hannan piloted Mindful to the top spot in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Hunt & Go, presented by CCTV Agent, out of a field of 61 competitors. The pair scored a total of 360.5 points to win the class for the second consecutive year.
Jennifer Hannan and Mindful. Photo © Sportfot
Hannan has been riding Mindful, a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Graf Grannus and owned by Kensel, LLC, for three years. This was the pair’s first week back showing after a ten-month break. “He’s a winner. He goes in every time to win,” Hannan said.
The class was a hunt and go format, with the first eight jumps of the course being the classic round and the last six jumps being the handy round. The course included one trot fence and offered four high options.
Hannan, who had four rides in the class, enjoyed the format and thought it gave her horses nice places to show off. Mindful, the 16 year old gelding, was Hannan’s second ride and the duo was able to keep the lead for the remaining 38 trips. “I loosened up as the course went on. Once I was past the first high option I was quite happy with him,” Hannan commented of her round with Mindful.
Jennifer Hannan and Mindful in their winning presentation with ringmaster Steve Rector, Tatiana Yaques, CEO of CCTV Agent. Photo © Sportfot
The pair will return to the ring during World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition in week six, as well as in the two remaining USHJA International Hunter Derbies at WEF. Hannan also plans on showing her own horse, who finished third in the class, Olympic Fire, with the same schedule.
Second place honors went to Samantha Schaefer, of Westminster, MD, and Trademark. Schaefer rode Trademark, owned by Take 3, LLC to a total score of 351 points.
Hunter competition will continue on Saturday with the crowning of the Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under champion in the Rost Arena.
Final Results: $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, Presented by CCTV Agent
1 MINDFUL, JENNIFER HANNAN, KENSEL LLC: 360.50
2 TRADEMARK, SAMANTHA SCHAEFER, TAKE 3 LLC: 351
3 OLYMPIC FIRE, JENNIFER HANNAN, JENNIFER HANNAN:350.15
4 CARENTO, ELIZABETH TOWELL BOYD, SHERRI CRAWFORD:349.6
5 COMMANDER, HANNAH BROWN, GRETA KROEGER: 346.55
6 AVATAR Z, VICTORIA COLVIN, WILLIAM LYLES: 346.5
7 BEST REGARDS, JENNIFER HANNAN, PATRICIA FULCHINO: 345
8 BELIEVE, HANNAH ISOP, VICTORIA HART: 345
9 CLEMENS, ELIZABETH TOWELL BOYD, FINALLY FARM INC. AND WESTERLY FARM: 344.15
10 OCEAN ROAD, KERI KAMPSEN, KERI KAMPSEN AND LEXY REED: 341.8
11 MERCY ME, JIMMY TORANO, DEREK PETERSEN AND DONALD STEWART: 341.4
12 POKER FACE, JENNIFER BLISS, HARRIS HILL FARM LLC: 340.75