Article and photos by Maya Samlan
Malin Dycus earned top scores with Cruising Altitude for the derby win. Photo Maya Samlan
Roscoe, IL – July 28, 2024 - On a rainy Sunday morning, over 30 riders lined up for the Marketing 4 Equestrians Hunter Derby at Ledges Sporting Horses in Roscoe, IL. With 26 horses in the Junior/Amateur section of the derby, the competition was fierce. Pulling scores of an 82 and an 83, Cruising Altitude, piloted by 14-year-old Malin Dycus, received the top accolades for the JR/AM section. Cruising Altitude, affectionately known as Pluto, has been Malin’s partner for nearly ten months and their hard work at home has been paying off in the show ring.
“I felt that my eye was working pretty good that day. Overall, I am so happy with how Pluto performed,” said Malin.
Following closely behind Malin, her 16-year-old sister Lena Dycus, rode her own Hocus Pocus to second place in the derby. She jumped another horse of hers, Callidos, to a seventh-place finish as well.
“I was very happy about my course and my performance. I’m very proud of both horses,” Lena said.
Hocus Pocus and Lena Dycus received scores of 80 and 81 in the Derby.
Both sisters found the opportunity of the Marketing 4 Equestrians Derby to be something they found helpful to their performance.
“I feel like the split between JR/AM and Open is beneficial to my riding. It gives more of an even playing field which is beneficial to all. It gives everyone a good experience,” Lena stated.
Having both competed in Junior Hunter Finals with plans to show again next year, the sisters are grateful for the preparation this derby gave them.
“I would like to compete in another derby like this because I think that it builds my confidence up when I get to these bigger shows and have to compete in the large events,” Malin observed.
Competing against a sibling may seem like the perfect recipe for sibling rivalry, but for the Dycus girls, the competition is something they find beneficial to their friendship.
“Competing against my sister is usually fine between both of us because we are both at a riding point where we just want to perform well and give our horses a good ride. But, we also now can tell when we know we deserve it, which I think keeps our friendship going throughout this sport,” Malin affirmed.
The Dycus sisters receive their awards.
The Marketing 4 Equestrians Hunter Derby provides an incredible opportunity for riders of all ages and experience levels to be able to participate in a high-stakes class. There are just a few more derbies before “B” Finals, September 12 - 15, 2024, at Ledges Sporting Horses, where riders can compete in the Marketing 4 Equestrians Hunter Derby Finals.
Series awards are offered for the Leading Horse, Leading Junior Rider, Leading Amateur Rider, and Leading Professional Rider.
Hurry out to the showgrounds to be able to participate in this one-of-a-kind opportunity!
Visit ShowplaceProductions.com for the "B" show schedule and entries.
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