Katy, TX – Nicolas Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy put a final exclamation point on their phenomenal three weeks at the 2023 Pin Oak Charity Horse with victory in the finale $100,000 Third Coast Bank Grand Prix, held on Saturday, April 15 in Katy, TX.

Having already won two grand prix classes during Week II at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy were fan favorites going into Saturday night, but with a field of 23 top contenders, it was still anybody’s game.

Fresh from designing the courses for the 2023 FEI World Cup^TM Final in Omaha, NE, Bernardo Costa Cabral set a track in the Porter Hedges Main Arena that saw eight entries go clear. When Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy entered the ring as the second pair to return for the jump-off, the time to beat had been set at 35.984 seconds by Australia’s Rowan Willis aboard Wellington Grey Goose.

As Gamboa flew across the final Third Coast Bank oxer in 34.902 seconds, the crowd erupted into cheers, and that clear-round time would ultimately prove good enough for the win. Willis and Wellington Grey Goose took second place while Jacqueline Ruyle and Cyramo Z finished in third with four faults in a time of 33.892 seconds after a heartbreaking rail at the final fence. 

“It’s been a great way to wrap it up!” said Gamboa of his win. “[NKH Mr. Darcy] just tried and tried and tried his heart out. He knows the drill when he walks in there. He feels the audience, and he knows he has to leave the jumps up. He takes care of the speed himself.”

Gamboa has been partnered with the 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion, owned by Neil Knox of NKH LLC, for roughly a year; the pair’s string of successes kicked off last year with Gamboa’s first-ever grand prix win at the 2022 Pin Oak Charity Horse Show.

“Honestly, he was brought along for a long time by the previous rider, and they just did a fantastic job with him,” said Gamboa, who rides for October Hill Farm and Heineking Show Stables. “When I get on that horse, he just knows what to do, where to go. He knows where his feet are, and he knows where his mind should be. He knows when it’s game time.” 

In addition to the top honors in Saturday’s class, for which Gamboa was presented the Uncle Sam Trophy, he also earned the Antarès Leading Grand Prix Rider Award. As the rider with the most points earned over all five grand prix classes held during the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, Gamboa received a $1,000 bonus check and a new Antarès saddle. Knox of NKH LLC was also recognized with the Clayton Stone Trophy as the high-point grand prix owner.

Gamboa concluded, “Thank you again to everybody, the whole team and staff. Everybody that’s at the gate when I walk out and at the gate when I walk in, especially the Heineking family and Neil Knox. I cannot do it without their support, so thank you.”

For full results of the $100,000 Third Coast Bank Grand Prix, click here or visit HorseShowsOnline.com. 

Katy, TX – Following two years off from injury, Glorieus made a glorious return to the winner’s circle on Friday, April 14, at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Katy, TX. With Courtney Lenkart in the irons, the gelding earned the victory in the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Augusta Pines Farm.

“This is our first international derby back since his injury,” said an emotional Lenkart. “So, it’s super, super special. It’s been a really long journey. He’s been very successful before. We won a lot of great classes together, but we never thought he could come back. He just fights [for it], and he has the best owners that have taken their time and given him everything he needs. It’s really a miracle. 

“I thought about, if he came back, what to say for a really long time, and I don’t know if I give it justice,” continued Lenkart. “We’re just really grateful.”

On their way to the win, Lenkart and Glorieus were one of 22 entries to take on the first-round, Tom Hern-designed course in the Porter Hedges Main Arena at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. With a score of 86 plus one high-option bonus point from judges John French and Patricia Griffith on panel one and a score of 87 plus a high-option bonus point from judges Tony Sgarlata and Bobbie Reber on panel two, Lenkart and Glorieus shot straight to the top of the leaderboard.

With scores of 89 and 90 in round two, plus three high option bonus points added to each score, Lenkart only further lengthened her lead, finishing with a total score of 360.

“Everything just came up so nice,” said Lenkart. “I tried to be smooth, and he just jumped out of his skin!”

Finishing in second place with overall score of 341 were Nada Wise and Stevie Ray, owned by Samantha Brown. Third place with a score of 333 went to Michael Dennehy and Hulla-Balou, owned by Dana Vollbracht. 

Following the conclusion of the class, Wise was presented with the Antarès Sellier Leading International Derby Rider Award for her strong results throughout the three weeks of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. For the award, Wise received a $1,000 cash prize and a new Antarès saddle. 

The Paula Sparks Perpetual Trophy for the Best Turned Out Derby Horse went to Diamante T, owned and ridden by Caitlin Burns.

For the class win, Lenkart was presented with the Valobra International Hunter Derby Perpetual Trophy, and Glorieus’ owner, La Primera Hacienda LP, was presented the Shawn McMillen Memorial Trophy.

“We just want to do what’s best for him,” concluded Lenkart, in speaking of the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. “Our dream is to be able to do Derby Finals possibly, but we’re just going to keep taking it day-by-day and hope for the best.”

For full results of the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by August Pines Farm, click here or visit HorseShowsOnline.com.

Katy, TX – Maddie Chenoweth, 26, earned the first grand prix victory of her career on Thursday, April 13, topping the $30,000 EPIC Sporthorses Grand Prix at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show aboard Navaro van’t Verahof.

The first-round, Bernardo Costa Cabral-designed course narrowed a starting field of 26 entries down to eight jump-off qualifiers in the Thursday evening featured event. Frequent Pin Oak grand prix winners Nico Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy were the first pair to jump-off, and they laid down a time to beat of 36.520 seconds that would keep them atop the leaderboard until Chenoweth’s return as the penultimate entry. 

With strides left out throughout the course, Chenoweth and Navaro van’t Verahof flew across the final EPIC Sporthorses oxer in a winning 34.870 seconds. Sofia Cady and ZG Bella, owned by Twist Studio LLC, were the final entry back in the ring, and they crossed the finish in 36.193 seconds to take second place. Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy then rounded out the top three, and fourth place went to Australia’s Rowan Willis and Wellington Grey Goose.

“It feels pretty unreal!” said Chenoweth, who resides in Houston and trains with Martien Van Der Hoeven. “I’ve grown up coming to these horse shows, and I’ve actually never won a grand prix before, so this is my first grand prix win, as well as I’ve just stepped up to the grand prix with this horse Week I of Pin Oak. So, it’s been a pretty unreal experience with him.” 

Chenoweth partnered with the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood, Navaro van’t Verahof, in July of 2022 and has been getting to know the gelding while also balancing her full-time job selling title insurance.

“He’s my type of ride – big and lanky. Martien always jokes that we’re made for each other because I’m tall and lanky as well,” said Chenoweth. “[Because of work] in the winter, I didn’t get to horse show at all. Just being able to come for two weeks here in February and then hit the ground running at Pin Oak was really a great feeling for us.

“I’m just really grateful to be able to still do this sport,” concluded Chenoweth. “My parents have supported me the whole way. My trainer’s been really incredible in supporting me. Even on the days when I show up and I feel a little nervous, it takes a little pressure off that I’ve got a great support system behind me.”

For full results of the $30,000 EPIC Sporthorses Grand Prix, click here or visit HorseShowsOnline.com.

Katy, TX – Jacqueline Ruyle continues to be a dominating force at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, this time aboard a newer partner, Etoile de la Cem. The duo earned the win in Wednesday’s $15,000 Fairway Farm 1.45m Welcome Stake to kick off Week III of the 77th-annual show at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX. 

Ruyle and the 9-year-old Selle Français mare were one of 18 entries to take on the Bernardo Costa Cabral-designed course in the Porter Hedges Main Arena. When they entered the ring, the jump-off time to beat had been set at a clear 37.130 seconds by Savannah Hemby and her own Paddington. With a knack for well-maneuvering Costa Cabral’s courses on her side, Ruyle flew through the finish in a winning 36.006 seconds. Hemby would hold on to second place, while third place with a time of 37.648 seconds went to Leah Curtiss and Fortuna, owned by Oakside LLC.

“Bernardo [Costa Cabral] is my absolute favorite course designer,” said Ruyle, who trains with Bedoya Training Stables. “I wish I could just follow him around the country and jump his courses because I just love the way he sets! All of his courses ride so fun. Everything just flows, and the technicality doesn’t make the ride choppy. All of the jumps always appear nicely out of the corner. There’s nothing trappy.”

Etoile de la Cem also seems to have taken nicely to Costa Cabral’s courses – and to being partnered with Ruyle. The Houston-based rider acquired Etoile de la Cem – or “Debbie” as she is known in the barn – roughly six months ago, and they have been starting to move up the ranks since then. During Pin Oak Week II, Ruyle successfully moved Debbie up from the amateurs to the open jumper level for the first time, finishing in second place in the $15,000 Bedoya Training Stables Welcome Stake.

“I would say during the winter circuit [in Florida] is when we really started meshing,” explained Ruyle, who describes the mare’s style of going as “unique.” “We were playing around with different bits and bridles and how she goes. We started really hitting it off, and then when we came home, we worked on what we thought we needed to work on. We came here, and we nailed it. It’s been great.”

Ruyle continued, “She has a very unique style of going. Over little jumps, she jumps with as little effort as possible. You jump 1.10m, and you think okay, ‘Maybe she can jump 1.15m max.’ Then you jump 1.15m, and you think, ‘Maybe she can jump 1.20m.’ She just keeps going and going. As the jumps get bigger, she jumps better and better, and I think she has even more in the tank and is going to be a superstar.” 

Ruyle has proven to be a superstar in her own right at Pin Oak, most recently earning the win in the Week I $30,000 Texas Children’s Hospital Grand Prix aboard Cyramo Z.

For full results of the $15,000 Fairway Farm 1.45m Welcome Stake, click here or visit HorseShowsOnline.com.

Katy, TX – Nicolas Gamboa went three-for-three on major jumper victories during Week II of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Katy, TX, capping off his impressive week with a win aboard NKH Mr. Darcy in the $50,000 Hildebrand Fund Grand Prix on Friday, April 7.

Five entries from the 25-horse starting field qualified for the jump-off in Friday night’s featured class, and Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy were the final pair to return for the Manuel Esparza-designed short course.

When they entered the Porter Hedges Main Arena, the time to beat had been set at 38.610 seconds by Australia’s Rowan Willis and his own Wellington Grey Goose. That time, however, was no match for Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy. With lightning-fast foot speed, slick turns and an impressive leave-out of a stride, the duo flew across the finish in 35.506 seconds for the win.

With Gamboa taking the win, second place went to Willis, and Savannah Hemby and Juju VDM finished in third with a double-clear time of 40.219 seconds.

“That was truly incredible!” said Gamboa following the jump-off. “I was a little rough in the first round, but my horse covered all of my mistakes and just jumped great. In the jump-off, there were some fast riders in there. I gave it a go, and I have to say, I for sure got a bit lucky. He jumped amazing…He was just ready to go today. When I left those jumps up, and he came down [over the final fence], I knew he had that class today. That was just a great feeling.”

Gamboa has been partnered with NKH Mr. Darcy, a 10-year-old Holsteiner owned by Neil Knox of NKH LLC, for a little over a year, and it was only a year ago at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show that the stallion helped Gamboa clinch his first grand prix win. Now, Gamboa and NKH Mr. Darcy are consistently a force to be reckoned with.

“It’s just been an incredible partnership; it’s one in a million for me,” said Gamboa of his relationship with NKH Mr. Darcy. “I’m just so thankful there. I’ve never had such a feeling where you can just walk in and know that the horse wants it just as bad as you do.”

With victories in the $15,000 Bedoya Training Stables 1.45m Open Jumper Welcome Stake and the $25,000 Royal Sport Horses Grand Prix earlier this week – aboard Dreamgirl 22 and NKH Mr. Darcy, respectively, Gamboa will now set his sights on the finale event of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show: the $100,000 Third Coast Bank Grand Prix on Saturday, April 15.

For full results of the $50,000 Hildebrand Fund Grand Prix, click here, or visit HorseShowsOnline.com.

Running through April 16 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX, the 77^th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show features top hunter, jumper and equitation competition while benefitting the Texas Children’s Hospital.

For media inquiries, please contact Emily at emily@randolph-pr.com.

About the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show
Recognized as a US Equestrian Heritage Competition, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse shows in the United States, and today the show features three weeks of top hunter/jumper competition at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX.

Founded by J.S. Abercrombie in 1945, it’s also a unique social and fundraising event. Since making the very first donation to Texas Children’s in 1947 to begin the planning and building of the hospital, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show has continued its legacy of giving, now having donated nearly $7 million to the renowned medical institution.

Katy, TX –Kelly Lorek and MTM Campedu claimed a commanding victory in the $25,000 Olde Oaks Farm Hunter Classic on Thursday, April 6, at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Katy, TX. 

A field of 21 entries took on the class under the lights in the Porter Hedges Main Arena at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, with the top 12 returning for a second round. 

At the end of the first round – jumped at either 3’6”, 3’9” or 4’ based on the horse’s division – Lorek and MTM Campedu sat in a close second place with a score of 175. Holding the lead with a score of 176 were Courtney Lenkart and Glorieus, owned by La Primera Hacienda, LP.

As the second-to-last to return, Lorek and MTM Campedu turned in the high-score round of the night, earning scores of 88 and 89 from the two judging panels for a second-round total of 177 and an overall score of 352. While Lenkart and Glorieus also delivered a seamless second round as the final entry in the ring, it was not quite enough to hold onto their lead. Scores of 84 and 85 helped earn them an overall score of 345 for the second-place finish. Rounding out the top three with a score of 333 were Jennifer Alfano and Southside of Heaven, owned by Kathy Chiaf. 

“He was awesome!” said Lorek of MTM Campedu, a 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Emersales LLC that she has been partnered with for the past year. “He was ready to walk in there and do the job that he came to do. I loved it. It was a long canter everywhere which is my favorite. It was a true classic hunter round with a lot of independent fences that you were able to ride as you saw best demonstrated your horse’s ability.”

Lorek continued, “We want to thank MTM Farm – Mike [McCormick] and Tracy [Fenney] for finding the best stock that we can ever have. [MTM Campedu] has just been a true team player ever since the start. He’s just got amazing talent. We can’t honestly thank the horse enough. He’s got so much heart. He tries every time.” 

For full results of the $25,000 Olde Oaks Farm Hunter Classic, visit HorseShowsOnline.com.

Also earning major hunter victories on Thursday, April 6, were Katie Kantrovitz and Emily Williams. Kantrovitz and her own Opportunity Mars topped a field of 40 entries to win the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur, while Williams and MTM Incanto, owned by Skylar Sneathern, bested a field of 18 to win the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open.

Katy, TX –Nicolas Gamboa earned his second major win in as many days at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, this time topping the $25,000 Royal Sport Horses Grand Prix aboard NKH Mr. Darcy.

Manuel Esparza set the track for the 29-entry class held on Wednesday, April 5, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX, with 13 of those entries ultimately advancing to the jump-off. All 13 entries proved to be in it to win it, with several rounds ending in elimination or numerous rails as riders put the pedal to the metal.  

Tessa Downey and Isabelle, owned by Horse Orchard LLC, were the first pair to produce a double-clear effort, and their time of 37.405 seconds would hold up for third place. Allison Kroff and T-Quick Hurricane Z, owned by TC Sport Horses LLC, followed Downey in the jump-off order, and Kroff immediately took over the top of the leaderboard – and earned the eventual second-place finish – with a jump-off time of 34.593 seconds.

“With 13 clear, I was expecting a few more conservative rounds, but everybody really went for it,” said Gamboa, who blazed across the finish line in a winning 33.499 seconds. “I just stuck with my plan, trying to go for an efficient clear. I went ninth, and I knew there were a couple behind me that were quite quick. Mr. Darcy has always just done a fantastic job.”

Just one year ago, the 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion owned by Neil Knox of NKH LLC, helped Gamboa earn his very first grand prix win, and in the time since then, the duo has notched an impressive list of accomplishments.

“NKH Mr. Darcy, that’s just been a fantastic horse for me,” said Gamboa, 22. “He’s given me so much confidence; he gives me confidence on other horses. I’m just so honored and grateful to have that ride. I have to say a very special moment for me was winning my first grand prix here at Pin Oak with him. He jumped a CSI3* out in California, and it was for sure the biggest track that I’ve ever jumped and one of the biggest tracks that he’s ever jumped. He’s always game. When that horse steps in the ring, he knows his job. If you can stay out of his way, you’re pretty much golden.”

Gamboa concluded, “I have to say thank you to everybody here – the entire team [at October Hill Farm and Heineking Show Stables], the whole barn, Neil Knox, the owner of Mr. Darcy.”

Gamboa will now set his sights on Friday night’s $50,000 Hildebrand Fund Grand Prix, the highlight event of Week II at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show.Running through April 16 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX, the 77^th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show features top hunter, jumper and equitation competition while benefitting the Texas Children’s Hospital.

For media inquiries, please contact Emily at emily@randolph-pr.com.

About the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show
Recognized as a US Equestrian Heritage Competition, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse shows in the United States, and today the show features three weeks of top hunter/jumper competition at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX.

Founded by J.S. Abercrombie in 1945, it’s also a unique social and fundraising event. Since making the very first donation to Texas Children’s in 1947 to begin the planning and building of the hospital, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show has continued its legacy of giving, now having donated nearly $7 million to the renowned medical institution.

Katy, TX – Nicolas Gamboa and Dreamgirl 22 kicked off Week II of the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show with a win in the $15,000 1.45m Open Jumper Welcome Stake, sponsored by Bedoya Training Stables, on Tuesday, April 4, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX.

Gamboa and Dreamgirl 22 were the second entry to contest the track set in the Porter Hedges Main Arena by course designer Manuel Esparza. As the first pair to jump clear to advance to the jump-off, Gamboa and Dreamgirl 22’s short-course time of 44.497 seconds would prove uncatchable through the remainder of the class.

Finishing in a close second place with a time of 44.640 seconds were Jacqueline Ruyle and her own Etoile de la Cem. Third place went to Tessa Downey who stopped the clock in 44.845 seconds aboard Horse Orchard LLC’s Isabelle.

“She just jumped her heart out tonight,” said Gamboa of Dreamgirl 22, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Myers Family Investments. “She has her own style, and she’s just a good horse. Ava [Myers] has competed her in a couple of grand prix and done quite well. I got the ride on her last week and this week. She’s just a cool horse. She’s got such a big stride – so much scope and so much stride. She just eats up those lines.

“Today she was super,” continued Gamboa, 22, who was also named the winner of the $5,000 U25 Welcome Stake held concurrently. “I made my plan when I walked and stuck with that plan. In the jump-off, she did one less to the final oxer, and I think that’s where she won the class. She did five down to the last and everyone else did six.”

Gamboa is no stranger to success at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show and was named one of the 2023 “Faces of Pin Oak” after having earned multiple grand prix wins at the 2022 Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. As an assistant rider and trainer at October Hill Farm and Heineking Show Stables, Gamboa remains busy competing and training numerous mounts throughout the show.

Running through April 16 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX, the 77^th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show features top hunter, jumper and equitation competition while benefitting the Texas Children’s Hospital.

For media inquiries, please contact Emily at emily@randolph-pr.com.

About the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show
Recognized as a US Equestrian Heritage Competition, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse shows in the United States, and today the show features three weeks of top hunter/jumper competition at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX.

Founded by J.S. Abercrombie in 1945, it’s also a unique social and fundraising event. Since making the very first donation to Texas Children’s in 1947 to begin the planning and building of the hospital, the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show has continued its legacy of giving, now having donated nearly $7 million to the renowned medical institution.

Katy, TX – In an exciting conclusion to the $30,000 Texas Children’s Hospital Grand Prix at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, Jacqueline Ruyle and Cyramo Z claimed victory by just 0.004 seconds.

The Houston, TX, native and her longtime partner, Cyramo Z, were one of eight entries to advance to the jump-off on Saturday night, April 1, at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX. As the second pair to return for the Oscar Soberon-designed short course, Ruyle and Cyramo Z blazed across the finish in 37.423 seconds.

Four horses later, Arizona’s Allison Kroff and T-Quick Hurricane Z, owned by TC Sport Horses LLC, flew through the finish in a nearly identical time of 37.427 seconds to take second place. Finishing in third place were Martien Van Der Hoeven and Mefisto Il Mondo, owned by Brieanne Dofort.

“It’s awesome!” said Ruyle of her win at her hometown horse show. “My family’s here. My brother’s here, and his new wife is here. It’s really cool because my family can just drive in and watch; people that really haven’t seen me compete before can watch.”  

Saturday night marked Ruyle and Cyramo Z’s second Pin Oak grand prix victory in as many years as the duo first topped the $50,000 Hildebrand Fund Grand Prix in 2022. Since that inaugural Pin Oak grand prix victory, Ruyle and Cyramo Z’s winning resume has grown exponentially. In July of 2022, they earned their first FEI win, and they have since racked up several others.

“[Cyramo Z] is so fast and so brave,” said Ruyle of the roughly 15.1-hand, 12-year-old Zangersheide mare that she has been partnered with for the past five years. “We had a very successful winter circuit in Wellington. We won almost every class we entered – we won the welcome, we won the prix, we won the next welcome. Actually, I just found out today that I had the fastest jump-off time of all the WEF 2023 circuit, so that was a huge accomplishment!”

Ruyle continued, “I came in [to the $30,000 Texas Children’s Hospital Grand Prix] maybe not feeling so confident in the first round after taking a month off and having everybody here, but [Cyramo Z] just can hold your hand and keep jumping. She’s just so fun to have. We’ve had a long partnership, and I just love riding her.”

With Ruyle, Kroff and Van Der Hoeven rounding out the top three, fourth place went to Maddie Chenoweth on Navaro Van’t Verahof, owned by Triple C Equine LLC. Taking fifth place were Tessa Downey and Isabelle, owned by Horse Orchard LLC. As the highest-placed under-25-year-old rider, 17-year-old Downey also earned the win in the $10,000 U25 Grand Prix, sponsored by American National and held concurrently with Saturday night’s featured class. For full results of the $30,000 Texas Children’s Hospital Grand Prix, visit HorseShowsOnline.com.

Running through April 16 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX, the 77^th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show features top hunter, jumper and equitation competition while benefitting the Texas Children’s Hospital.

For media inquiries, please contact Emily at emily@randolph-pr.com.

Katy, TX – Only one point separated Nada Wise on Stevie Ray and Jennifer Alfano on Ivy League at the end of the first round of the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Leaving One Out LLC, but a seamless handy round lengthened Wise’s lead and cemented the win for Stevie Ray on Friday evening, March 31, at the 77th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show in Katy, TX. 

Alfano and her own Ivy League finished in second while third place went to Alexandra Ansteth and Folklore, owned by Amberlea Tribble. 

Alfano and Ivy League were the penultimate pair to return for the handy, and they laid down a well-executed trip over the Kevin Holowack-designed course to earn scores of 86 and 83, plus two high option bonus points added to each score, for a second-round total score of 173 and an overall score of 351.

“I was nervous because Jen Alfano put in a fantastic trip, and so did Alex [Ansteth], so the pressure was on!” said Wise, who was the final rider to return for the handy round, as she had finished the first round on a score of 179, only slightly ahead of Alfano’s score of 178. 

“I was going to play it safe a little bit just because this is really [Stevie Ray’s] first derby in a year,” continued Wise. “When I walked in, he was just so confident. So, I decided to take a couple of the higher options, and he just jumped out of his skin. He was incredible.”

Wise and the 9-year-old Hanoverian gelding earned scores of 86.5 and 87, plus two high option bonus points, for a second-round score of 175.5 and an overall score of 356.5 for the win. 

“My favorite thing about Stevie Ray is the feeling he gives you over every jump; he tries so hard,” said Wise. “He always jumps in such great form and with such great power. We imported him a couple years ago, and he had to have a little break last year. So, this is kind of his comeback, and he made a great comeback. He’s just incredible to ride. He has so much scope, so much step; he’s really a lovely animal.”

Wise, who operates Rendezvous Farm out of Tomball, TX, is a frequent competitor at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center and a longtime Pin Oak Charity Horse Show competitor. 

“They always try to make it so special, and we get to see new faces come in. It’s always good to see new faces, new horses come in,” said Wise, who has a group of 19 horses, including junior and amateur mounts, competing at this year’s show. “We always have a crowd. It just feels like everyone likes to support each other when they’re here which is a great feeling.”

Also earning a derby win on Friday was another frequent Great Southwest Equestrian Center exhibitor, Mindy Coretz of Eighteen Acres Farm. Coretz rode Chagall and Rise Above to a one-two finish, respectively, in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby held on Friday afternoon.

“Chagall is a horse that we’ve had since he was young,” said Coretz of the 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by her sister, Amy Coretz. “We’ve developed him from the very beginning stages of his hunter career. We took him through the green ranks, and my sister showed him starting in the 2’6” modified type classes and now is very successful on him in the adult hunters. He’s a funny one. He is always very energetic and sort of a wild child, but he’s brave; he’s beautiful. He’s simple in so many ways; he’s definitely a horse we can count on.” 

For full results of both the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, visit HorseShowsOnline.com.

Running through April 16 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX, the 77th Pin Oak Charity Horse Show features top hunter, jumper and equitation competition while benefitting the Texas Children’s Hospital. Highlight events of Week I include the $30,000 Texas Children’s Hospital Grand Prix at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 1.