Jenny Karazissis and Bellamy Bring Home the Blue in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by John Bijlard Sport Horses
Photo © ESI Photography
For Immediate Release:
THERMAL, Calif. – November 6, 2020 – Jenny Karazissis (Calabasas, CA) and Bellamy rose to the occasion in Friday’s $2,500 National Hunter Derby, sponsored by John Bijlard Sport Horses, earning champion with scores of 89 and 88. Taking reserve honors was Parris Cozart Collins (Ojai, CA) and her own Uno Mas with scores of 88.5 and 83. Lanie Walkenbach (Paradise Valley, CA) and her own Early August earned third place with their scores of 85.5 and 85.
Karazissis and Pamela Aizad’s mare are a familiar match, but this show was a reunion for the pair. “Bellamy is an old catch ride that I used to ride […] The last time I rode her was maybe a couple years ago,” shared Karazissis. “The current owner and trainer decided to connect with me out here at National Sunshine Series and have me ride her in the derby. I was grateful to do so and she was a blast.”
Photo © ESI Photography
The course, designed by Scott Starnes, tested 53 horse and rider pairings. Karazissis went fourth in the first round and eleventh in the handy round. “For the handy, it was hours later. I did have some questions as to whether I would push up for the eight in the line that was forward to begin with in the first round,” noted Karazissis. “I figured, because I was coming off such a handy turn to it, I decided to take an extra stride on the way out that would allow me to turn even better on the landing side to the double. It paid off.”
Karazissis is looking to continue today’s Hunter Derby success on Sunday for the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, in the Grand Prix Stadium. “I am riding a horse that I am very familiar with and it is a team effort. Devon Gibson is the trainer and Michelle Cobb is the owner. […] I feel like we are peaking at the right time,” Karazissis reflected.
About the Desert International Horse Park
With nearly 1.3 million square feet of competition and riding space, the Desert International Horse Park is one of the largest equestrian facilities in North America. Offering multiple weeks of world-class equestrian competition from October through March, the facility is a destination location for thousands of equestrians, their horses, family and friends for several months annually. Competitors from all over the world travel to Thermal, CA to not only compete but to enjoy everything the desert has to offer.