Jennifer Alfano and Admiral are Leaders in the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
March 29, 2026 – Katy, TX – Jennifer Alfano and her own Admiral bested seventeen other horse and rider combinations and soared to the win in the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by The Wild Animal Sanctuary. The pair made light work of the derby tracks, taking the win by nearly ten points.
Alfano and Admiral, the eight-year-old American-bred stallion by Dulf Van Den Bisschop out of Alabama ODF and bred by Alex Jayne have jumped quite a few derbies together and have been knocking on the door, finally taking the win this Friday. “I’m pretty excited because it’s his first derby win. He’s been knocking on the door and has tried so hard. He’s done quite a few derbies and did Derby Finals last year” Alfano remarked.
The duo put in a spectacular first round with scores of 88 and 92, taking the lead. They had another beautiful performance in the handy, earning scores of 86.5 and 90 to seal their win. Alfano spoke of the course, “I liked the course a lot. I think the first round had a nice flow. I appreciate the horse show going through the effort to use both rings and make a nice course.”
Alwaleed Alrashid and his teammate W Ferrero Rocher, the fifteen-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Favorit Ask out of Candyline H and owned by Courtney Zenner, put in two great and consistent rounds, finishing in second with a total score of 353.75 points.
Whitney Labrie and DS Holdings, LLC’s Viscortness, the twelve-year-old Hanoverian mare by Viscount out of Cornetta, jumped incredibly, putting in a great handy round to jump up to third.
The derby day started with an Open USHJA National Hunter Derby, where Nada Wise and Milestone, owned by Kirby McCool put in stellar performances with scores of 96 and 89 to take the win. Jennifer Alfano and Bonmare were in great form as well, clinching scores of 92 and 91 for second. Rounding out the top three was Courtney Lenkart and Allegretto, owned by Jane Baysore. They earned a 91.5 and 90 to take the yellow ribbon.
Following the Open USHJA National Derby, twenty-six horse and rider combinations contested the Junior/Amateur USHJA National Derby. Perry and MJ Maestas bested the field with a dominating score of 173. Second place honors went to Mimi McMahan and S & L Quincy, jumping to a 168 score. Emily Wolkind and her own Casalletto WW earned third with a score of 163.
The $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby was sponsored by the Wild Animal Sanctuary, which protects Colorado wild horses through conservation, stewardship, and space to roam on 30,000 acres of open range sanctuary. They work to honor the American mustangs and their contributions to our nation’s history.
Alfano has been coming to Pin Oak for years, all the way from Florida. “I’ve been coming to Pin Oak for a long time now. We come from Florida so it’s quite a trek for us but we love the show, we love the atmosphere. It’s a great facility and we always have a great time here.”
Results
Placing – Horse – Rider – Owner – R1/R2/Total
1 – Admiral – Jennifer Alfano – Jennifer Alfano – 180/183.5/363.5
2 – W Ferrero Rocher – Alwaleed Alrashid – Courtney Zenner – 177/176.75/353.75
3 – Viscortness – Whitney Labrie – DS Holdings, LLC – 165/181/346
4 – Snowmass – Kelsie Brittan – Kelsie Brittan – 168/172/320
5 – Idslgo – Alwaleed Alrashid – Olde Oaks Farm Inc. – 159.25/171/330.25
6 – Likeur – Jessica Lean – Rachel Gross – 159/166/325
7 – Sir Hansel – Riley Townsley – Riley Townsley – 155/169/324
8 – Marseille – Adrianne Gamboa – Margaret Snyder – 160/162/322
9 – Quicken 2 PR – Catharine Moorhead – PLC Farm – 157/161/318
10 – CR Diaconcello ES – Adrianne Gamboa – Adrianne Gamboa – 156/160/316
11 – Karrera 21 – Amy Stanley – Highgate Ventures LLC – 160.5/102/262.50
12 – MTM Prince Phillip – Anne Adams – Andrea Adams – 148/92/240