Thermal, Calif. – Dec. 3, 2021 – International Hunter Derby riders took over the main hunter ring on day three of hunter competition at Desert Holiday I. A total of 25 highly competitive horse and rider combinations showcased their skills in the decorated arena to impress the judges in the $25,000 San Marcos Training USHJA International Hunter Derby, Presented by Butet. Fourth in the order of go was decorated hunter rider Shawn Casady and his mount Cassario 8, who ultimately would take home the championship honors after two seamlessly perfect rounds. Junior rider Augusta Iwasaki and Attendu De Lannois Z were awarded the reserve champion title, while Nick Haness and Fair Game took home third.
Shawn Casady and Cassario 8
Casady and Cassario 8, a 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Ashland Farms, are no strangers to the hunter derby ring as they have placed at the top of several International Hunter Derbies at some of the country’s most coveted venues. The pair were fourth to go in the first round, where they executed a beautiful classic hunter course and showcased the gelding’s giant stride and fantastic form over each jump. They were awarded a high score of 180 for the classic round, setting them at the top of the class early on and putting them into a great spot going into the handy round. The top twelve horse and rider combinations were invited back in reverse order of the judges’ discretion. Casady and Cassario 8 were second to last to go in the handy round and once again caught the judges’ eyes and were awarded for their open pace and handiness throughout the entirety of the course. The judges awarded them a second-round score of 202 and a total score of 382, pushing them to the top of the class.
Shawn Casady and Cassario 8
One of the last pairs to go on course for round one was Iwasaki and Attendu De Lannois Z, an 8-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Ashland Farms, who once again proved to be a force to reckon with and laid down a beautiful first round highlighting their ability to maneuver around the tactful hunter round. The pair were awarded a high score of 178, just two points shy of the leading horse and rider pair. Iwasaki and Attendu De Lannois Z once again stepped up to the plate in the handy round showcasing their handiness by being the only pair to make the inside turn to the trot jump, resulting in a high handy round score of 203 and a final score of 381.
Augusta Iwasaki and Attendu De Lannois Z
The final pair to go was Haness and Fair Game, a 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Bernadette Mulliken, and were awarded in the first round for their consistency and open pace as they met each jump with grace and proficiency, earning a score of 180. As the last pair to try their hand at the handy round, they started the course out on an open gallop, catching the attention of the judges early on. Haness once again maneuvered Fair Game tactfully through the handy round, helping to showcase the horse’s big stride, handiness and game to each fence. They were awarded a high score of 193 and a final score of 373, putting them into the third overall position.
Nick Haness and Fair Game
Hunter competition will continue Saturday in the main hunter ring at 8 a.m. with the Small Junior 3’6” 15 & U Hunter division and will conclude the day with the Amateur Owner 3’6” Hunter 18-35 division.
FROM THE WINNERS CIRCLE
Shawn Casady – $25,000 San Marcos Training USHJA International Hunter Derby, Presented by Butet
On Cassario 8:
“I have been riding him for about a year now for Zoe Wolf and he has been amazing. He is in the top four every single time he comes out in the derbies. He is always in top form and super consistent. This is our first win and he was second in the one we competed in in November. He is a derby machine and is really awesome. This was his first class of the week and for him to come out and perform like this is really amazing.”
On upcoming plans for Cassario 8:
“Zoe is going to compete him in the Junior Hunters this week and then she has a goal to start doing him in the derbies as well, which will be great.”
On showing at the Desert International Horse Park:
“I am excited to be here and I am really looking forward to the winter and riding on the grass. This place just looks great and you can really tell that they put a lot of work into the arenas and the landscaping and dust management.”
On his personal competition goals for the winter:
“My goals for this winter are to produce the horses that I have and hopefully keep working to build my team. This winter is going to set me up for the summer and we want to keep building on each success that I have with the great team that is behind me.”
RESULTS
$25,000 San Marcos Training USHJA International Hunter Derby, Presented by Butet
Horse / Rider / Owner / R1 Score | R2 Score / Final Score
- Cassario 8 / Shawn Casady / Ashland Farms / 180 | 202 / 382
- Attendu De Lannois Z / Augusta Iwasaki / Ashland Farms / 178 | 203 / 381
- Fair Game / Nick Haness / Bernadette Mulliken / 180 | 193 / 373
- Lulavani / Sami Milo / Cavallo Stables LLC / 173 | 197 / 370
- Big Shot / Jenny Karazissis / Dulcie Lou Morris / 162.5 | 205 / 367.5
- Inkwell / Nick Haness / Tami Cabaniss / 168 | 194 / 362
- Navarro / Sami Milo / Courtney Marone / 175.5 | 170 / 345.5
- Unbreakable Z / Marisa Metzger / Maile Smith / 166 | 177 / 343
- Esteban / Kylee Arbuckle / Sienna Faidi / 162.5 | 179 / 341.5
- Mattis / Chelsea Brittner / Zenfield Farm / 175.5 | 163 / 338.75
- Verdict / Alexis Meadows / Alexis Meadows / 174 | 157 / 331
- Paperboy / Chad Mahaffey / Julia Greenspan / 163 | 165 / 328