Thermal, Calif. – November 6, 2026 – For hunter riders, Friday at the Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) meant one thing: Derby day. The Main Hunter Ring featured both the open and junior/amateur $15,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derbies during National Sunshine Series 2, presented by Frank & Eileen.
First up was the $15,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open, sponsored by FOBI. Taking home the top spot, out of 53 entries, was Dustin Goodwin aboard Homecoming, owned by Melanie Kuechle. Goodwin expertly showcased Homecoming’s handiness and ability throughout the course, earning the only scores in the 90s — two impressive marks of 92 — for a combined score of 184.
“This is the third derby he’s done,” said Goodwin. “The last one was last week out on the grass. His blood came up a little bit but he still got a ribbon out there. He was 12th last week and was very good. This week, I was kind of hoping what happened would happen, which is he just thought, ‘This is so easy,’ and could take a big breath. He just stepped around and stayed so nice and quiet and rideable — just relaxed. I’m trying to teach him to be relaxed and he was so, so, so good.”
After arriving in the U.S. and only just beginning his hunter career this summer, Homecoming has already made impressive strides, and Goodwin is thrilled with his rapid progress.
“[Homecoming] was a junior jumper in Europe, so he had a whole other life,” said Goodwin. “He’s naturally very much a hunter, but I think that means he’s been told to go a little bit, so we’re just letting him realize that he can just melt around and be his natural self. You always have that little come down period where they have to learn that they’re no longer being chased around the course. He’s been so sweet and brave. He’s a lovely, lovely horse. We’re looking to move up to the 3’6” greens next and then when he feels confident we’ll maybe step into some international derbies, hopefully.”
Trailing almost 10 points behind Goodwin was Niki MacLeod and Ironman Equine’s Street Style. Their overall score of 174.15 (86.15+88) earned them reserve honors, while third place went to Hope Glynn and Poseidon, owned by K & L Phillips, with a total score of 173.75 (86.50+87.25).
In the $15,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Junior/Amateur, sponsored by Andalusia Country Club, there were 68 combinations vying for the first place prize. Right at the halfway point, at 35th in the order-of-go, Soleil Teubner Boughton rode her partner of 13 years, Crown Calido, to scores of 87 and 87.75 for the win with an overall score of 174.75.
“I’ve had [Crown Calido] since he was 2,” said Boughton. “He was in a field. He’s 15 now. He’s my heart horse. He’s been a part of everything I’ve done in the last 13 years. He’s recently really come into his own and matured in a totally different way. He’s always been pretty special, but I feel like in the last two years he’s really settled into his job. He likes it. He’s so careful. His expression — you see him going around — he just has the cutest face. He loves his job. He’s the sweetest.
“This is my favorite show,” continued Boughton. “I’m always so excited to come back down to the desert. This course was super fun. It felt like there were some interesting options that really allowed us to kind of show off choices and horses’ capabilities. I was shocked by how many people were in the class. We went about halfway through. I didn’t even imagine that we would still be on top at the end. He’s such a special horse. It’s pretty amazing to have this result with him after a 13-year partnership.”
Less than a point away and finishing in second place was Lauren Kay, who piloted her own Newsflash to a combined score of 174.35 (86.50+87.85). Rounding out the top three was Kyra Shahroody and Tom Rattigan’s Wroyal Jester with a total score of 172.35 (86.25+86.10).
For Boughton, Friday’s win was about more than another victory in the show ring; it was a reflection of both the support system that helped her return to the sport as well as the remarkable journey she continues to share with her longtime partner.
“I’m so incredibly grateful to my trainer, Teal Orlin of Oakwood Farm, and her assistant, Missy Froley,” said Boughton. “I had an injury a number of years back and Teal really brought me back. I wouldn’t be where I am or have the confidence that I do if it weren’t for her.
“For [Crown Calido], we just want to make sure he’s happy and continues loving his life,” continued Boughton. “I do the 3’3” AOs and derbies with him — he’s had a really spectacular year. This is the third derby win for him this year. He’s been super consistent. We’re just going to keep him here. We want to keep him going and happy as long as we possibly can.”