Holly Shepherd and MTM Making Waves (Photo: Emma Miller)

Wayne, Il. – On the third day of the Chicago Festival of the Horse, Holly Shepherd continued her strong start at Equifest with an impressive victory in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by CWD in the main WEC hunter ring. Shepherd piloted MTM Making Waves, owned by Mary Antonini, to two well-ridden rounds, earning the pair a total score of 182.

Finishing in second behind Shepherd was Douglas Boyd aboard Calido’s Son, owned by Mimi Rothman. Boyd and Calido’s son earned a total score of 172 after their rounds in the USHJA National Hunter Derby. Isabella Bleu Baxter and White Lightning, owned by Helen Gilbert, rounded out the top three, finishing with a score of 171.

Holly Shepherd and MTM Making Waves (Photo: Emma Miller)

The course for the second round included a trot-in fence and several roll-backs. The tighter course design was no challenge for MTM Making Waves, who Shepherd explained is very handy and skilled at roll-backs. That characteristic set him well apart from the competition and secured the pair a victory in the large class.

Each week of Equifest will host a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. The derby held during Equifest II presented by Equo US is set to take place Sunday, August 6 in the Grand Prix Arena, and the Equifest III derby sponsored by CWD will take place Friday, August 11 in the main WEC hunter arena. Still to come Saturday, July 22, is the $1,000 Amateur Owner Hunter Classic and the $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic.

For more information visit www.lamplightequestriancenter.com.

RESULTS
$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Presented by CWD

Place/Horse/Rider/Owner/Total Score
1. MTM Making Waves/Holly Shepherd/Mary Antonini/182
2. Calido’s Son/Douglas Boyd/Mimi Rothman/172
3. White Lightning/Isabella Bleu Baxter/Helen Gilbert/171
4. Umar Du Breche/Kate Wichmann/Stella Holding Place LLC/170
5. Lena Van T Ruytershof/Amanda Traphagan/ Debra J. Morrison/164
6. Beyond Time/Caroline Roethlisberger/Caroline Roethlisberger/162
7. Luxor/Molly McAdow/Molly McAdow/159
8. Big Biz/Kate Wichmann/Stella Holding Place LLC/157.5
9. Tikki/Samantha Hunsecker/Joy Snyder/147
10. Paris Match/Pam Von Behrens/Pam Von Behrens/133
11. Eggplant/William Hickey/Marilyn Heaton/123.5
12. Gin Fizz 67/Isabella Bleu Baxter/Lakeview INC/81