$25,000 International Hunter Derby
May 30, 2024 – Devon, PA – John French piloted Meredith Lipke’s Paradigm to the win in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the 2024 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. French and the 2012 gelding by Carrico topped the first round with a 188.5 going into the handy. Maintaining their position at the top of the leaderboard, French and Paradigm earned a 90.5 + 4 bonus points and a 91 + 4 bonus points for a total handy score of 189.5. At the end of the two rounds, the pair had a grand total of 378 points to take the win.
PARADIGM
Rider: John French
Owner: Meredith Lipke
Photo by: Olivia Airhart, Mane Source Media for Phelps Media Group
Devon’s 2024 Leading Hunter Rider, Nick Haness, captured second and third with Roaring Fork Farms, LLC’s Estimated Prophet and B R Farms, LLC’s C’est Jolie, respectively.
ESTIMATED PROPHET
Rider: Nick Haness
Owner: Roaring Fork Farms, LLC
Photo by: Olivia Airhart, Mane Source Media for Phelps Media Group
C’EST JOLIE
Rider: Nick Haness
Owner: B R Farms, LLC
Photo by: Olivia Airhart, Mane Source Media for Phelps Media Group
$226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon
Ireland is three for three this year with tonight’s victory going to another Irish Devon first-timer, Jordan Coyle. Coyle and Falkirk Farms, LLC’s For Gold (For Fashion x S-Heralda x) flew threw the timers in 37.45 seconds in the jump-off, a time that could not be caught. While this is Coyle’s first Devon, the Irishman says, “It might be my first Devon, but it won’t be my last Devon, I plan to come from here on out, this show has what America is missing, the crowd, the atmosphere, it is amazing here.”
Lillie Keenan, riding for the USA, posted a time of 38.12 with Chansonette Farm’s Kick On (Warrior x Sussex Caretino) to take second place honors on her way to receiving The Richard E. McDevitt Style Award for “the rider who exemplifies the best style of riding during the Grand Prix.” Keenan has been coming to Devon for 20 years, her first time here was to find a pony, and the rest is history. A passionate horsewoman, Keenan believes “riding is an art as well as a sport,” and credits her parents, her mentor, Olympian McLain Ward (12-time Sapphire Devon Grand Prix winner), and her staff, grooms, flat rider, vets, and farriers for making successes across continents possible. Keenan is shortlisted for the Olympics for Team USA.
Third place went to Mark Bluman, riding for Columbia, and Over The Top Stables LLC’s Ubilic ( Ubiko x Lucze) who stopped the clock at 38.67 seconds over course designer, Alan Wade’s 8-effort jump-off.
Comments