Thermal, Calif. – While only one of them was mounted aboard On Point, both Jordan Kilkenny and Addison Cheney were certainly on point in Friday, February 13’s USHJA National Hunter Derby classes at Desert Circuit 6, presented by Premier Equestrian.
Kilkenny and On Point, owned by B R Farms LLC, took home the win in the $10,000 Pegasus Show Stables USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open, and Cheney rode Diarados 4, owned by Carol Watson to victory in the $10,000 Vogel USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Junior/Amateur.
Jordan Kilkenny and On Point. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“Week in and week out, this horse proves to be as exceptional as his name says, on point!” said Kilkenny, who rides for Balmoral Farm. “The main job for me is just to stay out of his way. He knows what to do when he gets to the jump, and when he gets to the jump, my job is just to sit quietly and let him finish it off and show off to the crowd.”
Kilkenny and the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding earned scores of 89 and 88 to take the top spot with an overall score of 177. Finishing in a very close second place with a score of 176.05 (88.25+87.80) were Karli Postel and Azucar, owned by Erin Boatwright. Third place went to Nada Wise who rode Kirby McCool’s Milestone to a score of 176 (88.50+ 87.50).
Jordan Kilkenny and On Point. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
In the junior/amateur class, an overall score of 172.5 (86+86.50) secured Cheney and Diarados 4 the win. With scores of 85 and 87 for a 172 total, second place went to Harlow Bottarini and her own The Duchess. Zoe Barker and Rocketman finished in third with a total score of 171.5 (84.75+86.75).
“I thought it was a lovely course; I thought we were really able to shine,” said Cheney of her round with the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding. “I thought there were a few questions that he really just answered perfectly, and it was really fun.”
Addison Cheney and Diarados 4. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Under the training and guidance of her grandmother, Heidi Cowley, and her mother, Jamie Cheney, Addison Cheney and Diarados 4 have notched numerous national hunter derby wins, and Addison Cheney hopes to continue to do so throughout the remainder of Desert Circuit.
Addison Cheney and Diarados 4. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
For complete results from the $10,000 Pegasus Show Stables USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open, click here, and for full results from the $10,000 Vogel USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Junior/Amateur, click here.