Thermal, Calif. – The wins in both the $15,000 Devoucoux Sellier USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open and the $15,000 Vogel USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur went home with Brookway Stables on Friday, January 30, during Desert Circuit 4.
Karli Postel and Carlios. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Karli Postel and Carlios, owned by Chloe Recknor, claimed the first derby win of the day at Desert International Horse Park, topping the Open Derby with scores of 92 and 97 for a 189-winning total. Second place in the class went to Chelsea Brittner who piloted Lucky Larry to a score of 180.5 (91+89.5) for owner Ella Delgado. Jan Humphrey Hanson and Callabo, owned by Pam Saulovich, finished in third with a score of 177.25 (88.25+89).
Karli Postel and Carlios. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“Carlios is incredible!” said Postel of the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding that she has been partnered with since late 2024. “I call him a teddy bear in the barn because he might be the biggest horse in the barn, but he is the most gentle. I love doing derbies on him because I can always count on him. He’s extremely brave and talented with huge stride and scope. I always know I can take all the bold options, and I can really count on him for that.”
Karli Postel and Carlios. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
In speaking of the Michael Roy Curtis-designed handy round, Postel continued, “[In the handy], I knew I could do the inside turns that were available. There weren’t too many crazy options, but I knew coming off the wall to the last jump with his stride, I could do seven. I don’t think I saw many others do it. He’s super brave, and I caught it nice off the turn. I had Archie [Cox] in my mind saying to just keep going!”
For full results of the $15,000 Devoucoux Sellier USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open, click here.
In the $15,000 Vogel USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur, it was Geneva Saunders and Christopher Robin’s turn to take the win. Judges Maria Takacs and Connie Dorsch awarded them scores of 87 and 88.5 for an overall top score of 175.5.
Geneva Saunders and Christopher Robin. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Second place with a score of 175 (85+90) went to Raines Gammon and Crystal Nelson’s Lucky Gold, and Lilah Nakatani and her own Livius P finished in third on a 172 (91+81) total score.
At just 13 years old, Saunders has not yet had a ton of derby experience, but she very much enjoyed her first derby outing with Christopher Robin.
“I thought it was really fun!” said Saunders. “I liked the course. He was a really good boy. He swaps sometimes, so I was really glad that he didn’t. He’s really helpful. He’s the nicest horse. He’s a really sweet boy.”
Saunders just began leasing the 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding from owner Sophie Cohen for this year’s Desert Circuit, not long after she began training with Archie Cox and Karli Postel at Brookway Stables.
Geneva Saunders and Christopher Robin. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I actually lived in Nashville, Tennessee prior and then we just moved out here [to Utah],” said Saunders. “So, this is our first circuit here. I really like it!”
For complete results of the $15,000 Vogel USHJA National Hunter Derby – Junior/Amateur, click here.
With 10 weeks of top-caliber competition, Desert Circuit at Desert International Horse Park continues through March 15, 2026. To learn more, visit deserthorsepark.com.