Thermal, Calif. – Michael Dennehy says that he and Hulla-Balou have “really hit their stride” this season – and their recent results are certainly a testament to that. Following Friday, February 13’s $49,900 Cherokee Show Horses USHJA International Hunter Derby, Dennehy and Hulla-Balou are now two-for-two on USHJA International Derby wins at the 2026 Desert Circuit.
Michael Dennehy and Hulla-Balou. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
A field of 37 horses took on Friday’s class held on the Grass Field at Desert International Horse Park, and at the end of round one, Dennehy and Hulla-Balou already held the lead. The two judging panels had awarded them dual scores of 92, plus all four high option bonus points, for a leading score of 196.
“[Hulla-Balou] gave 200% today,” said Dennehy of the 16-year-old Westphalian gelding, owned by Dana Vollbracht. “He’s always there for you. He absolutely loves this field. Every time we come out, it seems like he just gets better and better. I’ve been fortunate enough to get to ride him long enough that I’m finally figuring out how to do it!”
Michael Dennehy and Hulla-Balou were presented as the winners of the $49,900 Cherokee Show Horses USHJA International Hunter Derby. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
While Dennehy had the added pressure of being the frontrunner and the last to return for the handy round, he certainly did not let any nerves get to him. Instead, the pair only further cemented their lead. The judges awarded Hulla-Balou base scores of 92 and 91.5, which – when coupled with high option and handy bonus points – gave them a second-round score of 200.5 and a winning total score of 392.5.
“I would say nerves have been my biggest obstacle in my journey with this horse,” said Dennehy, who has been partnered with Hulla-Balou for roughly 10 years. “I can think back to the very first year that we did Green Hunter Incentive Finals, and I was so nervous. I look back now, and I laugh at myself because I was so nervous. Because he’s been such a good horse and has had such a long career, it’s enabled me the time to just learn from my mistakes. What I’ve learned is that you just have to focus on your job and go ride; there’s just really a handful of things that you need to do. That’s what I really tried to do here. Every class is just stay in the moment and do my job. I know he’s going to do his.”
Sophia Sanders and Collectible earned the win in the U25 Derby held concurrently. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Dennehy continued, “I thought it was a good handy round. It was a great challenge, and I thought it was great practice for us to come back on top and try to finish with an exclamation point. I was really pleased.”
Second place on a score of 386.5 went to Jenny Karazissis and Big Shot, owned by Dulcie Lou Morris, and Emily Esau Williams and Star Quality, owned by McKee Sport Horses LLC, rounded out the top three with a score of 381. The win in the U25 overlay held concurrently went to Sophia Sanders who finished in fifth overall with Collectible, owned by Thomas Dias.
For full results of the $49,900 Cherokee Show Horses USHJA International Hunter Derby, click here.
After already also earning an International Derby win during Desert Circuit 3, Dennehy and Hulla-Balou will return to try to make it a three-peat during Desert Circuit 9 in March. With 10 weeks of top-caliber competition, Desert Circuit at Desert International Horse Park continues through March 15, 2026. To learn more and to view a complete schedule of events, visit deserthorsepark.com.