MARSHALL & STERLING INSURANCE DERBY PROGRAM PRESENTS FIRST $10,000 USHJA INTERNATIONAL HUNTER DERBY

For Immediate Release:

THERMAL, Calif. -January 24, 2020- The new Marshall & Sterling Insurance Derby Program debuted the first of three USHJA International Derbies during Desert Circuit. The program hosts a total of eleven derbies: five USHJA National Derbies, three USHJA International Derbies, one USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, and two Child/Adult Hunter Derbies (2’/2’3″ and 2’6″/2’9″ heights).

ERIN DUFFY AND ROMEO CLAIM CHAMPION TITLE IN $10,000 USHJA INTERNATIONAL HUNTER DERBY

Erin Duffy (La Canada, CA) aboard Romeo were crowned Champion in the first USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by BUTET, at the Desert International Horse Park. Jamie Taylor (Tarzana, CA) and Cornelensky, owned by Spyglass Hill, were awarded Reserve Champion honors.

Photos © ESI Photography

Twenty-one pairs challenged the first round of the Derby. “I really liked the course because it asked a bunch of questions about track and you had to really pay attention to it,” commented Duffy, who was the leader going into the handy after scoring a 183 points after round one.

The nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding, owned by Volant Stables, and Duffy have been paired together for less than year and have just started competing in Derbies together. “He just has a lot of scope and so much natural talent,” Duffy shared of her talented partner.

The derby program continues this week with our 2’/2’3″ Child/Adult Hunter Derby in Hunter Ring 6 at 8:00 AM on Sunday. If you can’t make it in person, be sure to watch online by clicking here.

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 10 weeks of world-class competition, eight during the Desert Circuit from January – March and two during the Sunshine Series in November, 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.