WELLINGTON, Fla.--Victoria Colvin on Graphyx won Section A of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Hunt-N-Go, and Tiffany Morrissey 0n Copernicus K won Section B of the Derby, held on the grass derby field at the Winter Equestrian Festival on Friday, Feb. 23.

Victoria Colvin on Graphyx (Photo by Sportfot)The hunt-n-go format consolidates two rounds into one with both a classic and a handy element.

Designed by Tom Carlson, the course consisted of 13 obstacles using the derby field to showcase classic hunter style.

Receiving the highest scores overall over both rounds, Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, Fla., on Graphyx won Section A after the field was divided in a California split.

Colvin scored 91 for each phase, resulting in a total score of 182.

“These classes are always fun. I had three horses out here and they were all well behaved,” said Colvin. “This week's been very light obviously after hunter week, so it's kind of been a blast; a little bit of a vacation on the field."

“Graphyx shows with his owner who’s a junior, and I’ve done him in some 3’3” Pre-Green classes,” she said of the 8-year-old gelding. “He hadn't done 3’6” before this, so this was his big class of the week.”

 

TIFFANY MORRISSEY of Wellington on Copernicus K won Section B with scores of 91.50 for the classic portion and 90.25 for the handy portion, totaling 181.75.

Tiffany Morrissey on Copernicus (Photo by Sportfot)“Copernicus K is my classic derby horse,” said Morrissey of the 14-year-old gelding. “He’s super brave. I know I’ll be good going into any arena. We try to save him for classes like this on the grass because one of his biggest assets is his ability to shine in these big arenas.”

In Section A, second place went to Brady Mitchell of Wellington on Cornet’s Edition with scores of 89.75 and 92 for a total of 181.75.

Third went to Merry Harding of Ridge, N.Y., on Rare Cask with scores of 92 and 88.75 for a total of 180.75.

In Section B, Colvin, this time on I C France, placed second with scores of 93 and 88.5 for a total of 181.5.

Laura Bowery of Bridgehampton, N.Y., on Capote was third with scores of 87.25 and a 93 for a total of 180.25.

In International show jumping competition at Wellington International on Friday morning, Cathleen Driscoll on Flotylla won the $62,500, 1.50m speed, finishing clean in 57.72 seconds.

Of the 61 entries, Richard Vogel of Germany on Cydello was second in a time of 57.77 seconds.

Kent Farrington was third, just slightly off the pace in 58.24 seconds on Myla.