Thermal, CA – November 1, 2024 – The first hunter derby wins of the 2024-2025 Desert International Horse Park season went to Jenny Karazissis and Big Shot, Philippa Melski and Navigator and Emily Williams and Beach Boy on Friday, November 1, at National Sunshine Series 1 in Thermal, CA.
Jenny Karazissis and Big Shot. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Karazissis and Big Shot kicked off the triple hunter derby day with victory in the $15,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open Section A, sponsored by City of La Quinta.
With Karazissis in the irons, Big Shot has consistently proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the derby ring, and that certainly proved true on Friday. With scores of 96 and 95 from the judges, the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding clinched the win with an overall score of 191. Finishing in second place with scores of 89 and 91 for a 180 total were Corene Smith and Reign, owned by Asa Caditz. Matthew Sereni and Georgia Yewell’s Fleur Delacour took home third with scores of 89, 91 and a 179.5 total.
Jenny Karazissis and Big Shot. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“It’s so nice having a horse that you can communicate with,” said Karazissis of Big Shot, owned by Dulcie Lou Morris. “He’s my buddy; he’s family.”
Karazissis continued, “I loved [the course today]. I thought it was very flowing and beautiful. In the handy, there were no crazy inside turns, but you could be as tight as you wanted. It just worked out really well for me. I’m thrilled with the new footing and all the other improvements that they’ve made. It’s just so noticeable. Every time you come back [to DIHP] you think, ‘Oh it’s great,’ and then somehow, it’s even better. I so appreciate the team that cares so much and makes it so special.”
The win in Section B of the $15,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open, sponsored by City of La Quinta, went to a slightly newer partnership, that of Philippa Melski and Navigator.
Philippa Melski and Navigator. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“I own him with a really good friend and client, Buffy Hanschka,” said Melski of the 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding that she has had for the past two years. “We saw a video of him doing some 3-year-old stallion championships or something, and we were just crazy about him…[Buffy] saw the video, and she was like, ‘It’s you and me girl; we’re going to do it!’”
The rest, as they say, is history. Melski and Hanschka purchased the then stallion, and Navigator has been earning high marks ever since – including in Friday’s Hunt & Go. There, an overall score of 180 – made up of a 91 and an 89 – gave Melski and Navigator the win.
Second place went to Emma Lindstrom, who piloted June Salin’s Coraggio to scores of 89.5 and 88 for a 177.5 total. Finishing in a close third with an overall score of 177 were Nicole Bourgeois and Vino Bianco.
Philippa Melski and Navigator. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“[Hunter derbies] is what he was made for I think,” said Melski of Navigator. “He just always has been the easiest, most fun horse I’ve ever sat on. He’s as brave as a lion. I think he’s a strong contender – maybe not next year but possibly the year after – for the Derby Finals. He can jump an absolute house. He’s got a big stride. He lands both leads. He’s so smart.”
In the $15,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Junior/Amateur, sponsored by CALLIDAE, the victory went to another rider who can’t say enough good things about her horse: Emily Williams.
Beach Boy is Williams partner of nine years, and with him, she earned scores of 91 and 92 to take the win on Friday with an overall total of 183.
Emily Williams and Beach Boy. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“He’s very special,” said Williams of her 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “He’s done everything for me. He started as my jumper and then became my hunter and has even played in the equitation when I’ve needed him to. He’s a super, super special horse, and he tries so hard every single time.”
Williams now competes Beach Boy intermittently, saving him for special classes. After allowing him to enjoy time out of the show ring since May of this year, Williams will now look to point Beach Boy at a few additional hunter derby classes at DIHP.
“[The derbies] are what he really enjoys,” concluded Williams.
Emily Williams and Beach Boy. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
Finishing in second place behind Williams and Beach Boy were Tonya Johnston and Galactic with a total score of 177, and an overall score of 175.5 secured third place for Julia Greenspan and Jackpot Lee.
For full results of all three of Friday’s hunter derby classes, head to https://deserthorsepark.com/showgroundslive-home.