Dustin Goodwin Has Great “Reputation” in $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

With Kalli Heffner Gay’s 10-year-old Holsteiner, Dustin Goodwin is earning a ‘reputation’ as a top hunter derby contender. That’s because the mare, Reputation, is now two-for-two on top two USHJA International Hunter Derby finishes at the Desert International Horse Park, most recently earning the win in the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Hermès, on Friday, December 6.

Goodwin and Reputation were one of 23 entries to take on the course set on the spacious Grass Field by course designer Meghan Rawlins, and their first-round effort immediately put them in the lead with a score of 187. For there, the duo returned for the handy round and only further cemented their lead with a second-round score of 182.5 for an overall total of 369.5.

Second place with an overall score of 356.5 went to Halie Robinson and Tangled Up In Blue, owned by 3P Equine Partners, LLC. Rounding out the top three with a score of 352.5 was Shauna Pennell riding Top Story, owned by WJC Farms LLC.

“[Reputation] loves it out here!” said Goodwin of the Grass Field. “On the schooling days, she’s always a little bit leery of the space. By the time we got to the first round, she was really settled and chill. She was super relaxed. The first round really suited us. There was a lot of the right lead, and that’s what she prefers. It felt like the jumps were placed in a really nice way for the horses. There were never any moments where I felt like I got stuck anywhere. Everything had a lovely flow. It was a lovely course.”

In speaking of the mare, Goodwin continued, “She’s just amazing. I don’t ever feel like pointing at the small one. It’s so easy for her, and she’s almost better at the bigger options. So, I always have my game plan to take the high option for sure. The handy was great. It just really showed off your horse, and you could be loose and gallop. It was challenging but fair.”

Now, both Goodwin and Reputation will remain at the Desert International Horse Park throughout the Desert Circuit.

“[Reputation] will spend the winter in the desert,” concluded Goodwin. “We’ll pick special classes. There are so many great, big special classes for her throughout the circuit, so I’m super excited.”

For full results of the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Hermès, click here.