LAS VEGAS — While tourists were rolling dice underneath the neon lights Las Vegas is so famous for, a different sort of excitement was unfolding at the Marshall+Sterling/USHJA National Championships. Tucked away from the flashing lights of the casino within the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, 47 junior and amateur riders bet that they could claim the title of champion in the $25,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Junior/Amateur. Only Olivia Aul, riding Elizabeth Aul’s Copyright, was right.
Olivia Aul and Copyright. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
“He’s brilliant, and he knows that we know it,” Olivia Aul said of her round with Copyright. “I think the hunt portion— he was so lovely to get a nice rolling canter on and kind of keep it around, so that was pretty straightforward. Then for the go [portion], he had lovely balance. He made it seem all smooth and connected.”
Olivia Aul’s score of 186 was ahead of the rest of the exhibitors by 10 points. Judges Alan Lohman and Richard Slocum awarded Olivia Aul 92 points in the hunt part of her round and added another 94 points in the go portion. Their efforts not only earned them the win in the derby, but also the title of Leading Junior National Hunter Derby Rider.
Designed by Archer Bailey, the $25,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Junior/Amateur utilized the “Hunt and Go” format which combined the classic and handy rounds into one seamless test. Over the first part of the course, riders rode the classic hunter round, emphasizing smooth, steady rhythm. Over the second half of the course, riders rode a modified handy round featuring efficiency of pace, tighter turns and additional challenges, including a trot fence.
Olivia Aul and Copyright. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
“After the ninth fence, taking the inside turn really helped make the gallop to the oxer a little more efficient… I think any chance you get you should take [the inside turn],” Olivia Aul remarked.
Olivia Aul has had the ride on “Copy” since he was just 4 years old. While their partnership has grown over the years, Olivia Aul said he’s been “pretty much perfect” since the start.
“He has a lot of personality. He’s sassy. He is so good, so we let him get away with it, and he is such a dream to ride,” she said. “Lovely balance, clean to the jumps, and he really helps the rider, too. He snaps his knees every time.”
Evie Becky, of Pacific Palisades, Calif., left the ring with a red ribbon in hand, riding Twain, owned by Becky Equestrian, LLC. Becky earned a total score of 176 (88+88) with the 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding.
Clara McDanniel, local to Clinton, Wash., finished out the top three slots in the leaderboard with a score of 175.4 (88.5+86.9). McDanniel rode Seven Kingdoms, an 8-year-old Westphalian, owned by the rider. She also received the additional honor of being named the Leading Amateur National Hunter Derby Rider for her efforts.
For the full results of the $25,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, click here.
Live streaming coverage of all 2025 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championship classes is available on USEF Network, and complete results and schedules are available on ShowGroundsLive.
For more information about the Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships, visit ushja.org/NationalChampionships, and to learn more about all competitions hosted by Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.