Kristy Herrera and Candid claimed the championship title in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Sunday, March 5, to conclude the inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend. PHOTO BY TAYLOR RENNER
Deeridge Farms Showcases Top Hunters At Inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend
By Taylor Renner
Following the success of the inaugural Wellington Masters CSI3*-W in 2016 and this year’s Palm Beach Masters CSI3*-W, Deeridge Farms and the organizers of the CP Palm Beach Masters, presented by Sovaro, created an entirely new event for 2017. While the 2017 Palm Beach Masters featured exciting world-class show jumpers from around the world in one of seven qualifying events for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Finals, the Deeridge Derby Weekend brought to center stage the outstanding hunter
horses and riders that also call Wellington home each winter. Deeridge Farms is a 300-acre oasis of serenity and beauty in the heart of Wellington owned by Jeremy and Margaret Jacobs, who have been its stewards since 1980. Following the two consecutive World Cup qualifying events, Deeridge Farms proved itself an ideal setting to host prestigious equestrian competitions. The inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend, presented by the National Horse Show Association of America, for the benefit of the USHJA Foundation, took place March 1-5 and celebrated the nation’s best hunter horses and riders. The hunter horses and riders competed head-tohead for big prize money on a beautiful, custom-designed grass competition field against the backdrop of Deeridge Farms — the perfect setting to highlight the grace and beauty of the sport. No detail was overlooked, including the popular VIP experience in the Taylor Harris Club, with a sumptuous array of food and beverages in a double-decker ringside tent. The nation’s top hunter horses and riders took over the Deeridge Farms showgrounds at the inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend. PHOTO BY JEWEL CONNELLY
wellington the magazine | may 2017
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