Thermal, Calif. – The team from Abbey Lane Farm dominated derby day on Friday, February 20, during Desert Circuit 7 at Desert International Horse Park. Trainer Lindsay Stefanko kicked off the morning with the win in the $15,000 Abbey Lane Farm USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open aboard Nightingale. Then, it was student Ava Shatzko’s turn, and she piloted Kaskade to the win in the $15,000 Voltaire Design USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur.
Lindsay Stefanko and Nightingale. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
In the open derby, Stefanko and Nightingale, owned by Proper 12, LLC, sat in a very close second place following the first round on a score of 90. A 92 in the handy round then moved them into the winning position with an overall score of 182. Second place with a score of 180 (89+91) went to Allison Kroff aboard Ruby Ransco’s Ayrton. Halie Robinson rounded out the top three with a score of 179 (86+93) with Sinmigo Dos, owned by Big Picture LLC.
“The first round was great; the course was super,” said Stefanko. “It was a little windy, so she was a little impressed which was nice because she made some really good quality jumps in the first round. Then, she sort of took a breath, and in the handy, I was able to jump and turn really nicely and execute my plan. She followed me beautifully everywhere. I couldn’t have asked her to be any better.”
Lindsay Stefanko and Nightingale. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Stefanko has just been riding the 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare since December, but the pair meshed quickly to begin earning top results in the 3’3” Green Hunters and the 3’3” Young Hunters – 7 & Under.
“I think she has been champion almost every week, if not every week,” said Stefanko of the mare known as “Nala” in the barn. “This is her third derby, and she just keeps getting better. She’s lovely to ride. She’s light in the bridle. She has beautiful balance. Her jump is great. She’s one of my favorite horses in the barn.”
Ava Shatzko and Kaskade. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
For complete results from the $15,000 Abbey Lane Farm USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open, click here.
In the $15,000 Voltaire Design USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur, Shatzko and Kaskade led the class from beginning to end to take home a commanding win on a score of 188 (94+94). Fellow Canadian rider Hazel McLean finished in second with a score of 172 (86+86) aboard her own Rosalita, and Zoe Barker and her Rocketman took third on a 165 (78+87).
“I thought our first round was pretty good,” said Shatzko, who has trained with Stefanko for roughly the past three years. “I just wanted to have a nice round. I went pretty early in the order, so I was a little nervous because I didn’t get to watch a ton. I just kind of went in, had a nice first jump, and I just tried to have fun out there.”
Ava Shatzko and Kaskade. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Shatzko continued, “[Coming back for the second round], I was very nervous as I was sitting on top. I was quite nervous, but I just tried to take some deep breaths and just go in and just ride my best. I thought the handy was super fun. I liked the option; you could kind of go either way to the trot fence which was fun!”
Shatzko has been competing Kaskade for the past roughly two years, and she and the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, owned by Laura Shatzko, now have a handful of derby classes under their belt. As the 2026 show season continues, Ava Shatzko looks forward to continuing to try her hand at additional USHJA National Hunter Derbies with Kaskade, as well as competing the gelding in the 3’6” Junior Hunters.
Click here for all results from the $15,000 Voltaire Design USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur. For more information on all competition at Desert International Horse Park, visit deserthorsepark.com.