Source:  News Release/Jennifer Wood Media Inc.

Kelley Farmer and Taken Triumph in $20,000 USHJA International
Hunter Derby at ESP Holiday and Horses

Wellington, FL - The 2011 edition of Equestrian Sport Productions' Holiday and Horses show concluded today with the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby as the highlight class in the International Arena. Kelley Farmer of Keswick, VA, rode Nancy Amling's Taken to the win.

There were 18 entries in the derby, and the top 12 returned for a second handy round. Farmer and Taken held the lead through the first round, which they set by scoring a 180. They returned as last to go in the handy round and with handy bonus points of 8 and 9, they bettered their score with a 188. Their total of 368 gave them the win by three points.

Second place went to Kristy McCormack and Sundance, who received scores of 175 and 189.5 from the judges - they had a spectacular handy round - for a total of 365. Elizabeth Kenny and Bravo van de Kwaakelhoek finished on a total of 363 for third place, while Farmer placed fourth with AM Free's Bases Loaded at 350 points. Generous and David Olinyk also had 350 points for fifth place.

"He was great today. It was an odd day and windy," Farmer said, "but he likes Palm Beach and he loves this ring. He likes this footing. The bigger the ring, the more he can gallop, the better for him."

Taken, who is an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, was third in the money won standings for the 2011-2012 series, and Farmer has a solid lead in the rider standings. They won the hunter derby two weeks ago in Katy, TX, and Taken is leading the country in the Second Year Green Working Hunters.

 

Kelley Farmer and Taken with Larry Glefke and Shawna Dietrich. Photo © ManciniPhotos, www.manciniphotos.com.

Farmer noted, "Any time he hasn't won, it's my fault because he wasn't fit enough. He's eight but he knows his job. He's a quiet horse but he has to be fit. Now he's strong and happy. He's not getting dull."

After a slower start to their year, Farmer feels like Taken is solid and prepared to win more. "I showed in one class this week to remind him he was showing. He'll get a big break now. It's a great way for him to finish his year. He had a spotty beginning of the year because he wasn't fit. I'm thrilled for the horse. He deserves it. He has never let me down and he always tries 110%, so I try and make his life good for him. This was a great way to finish the year."

Equestrian Sport Productions is now preparing for the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, which will host 12 weeks of top competition on January 11-April 1. For more information, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

Final Results: $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby 
Place Horse Rider Round/Judge Handy Score High Bonus Options Round Score Final Score
1 TAKEN KELLEY FARMER 
R1/J1 86 4 R1/J2 86 4 180.00  
R2/J1 82 9 4 R2/J2 81 8 4 188.00
368.00 

2 SUNDANCE KRISTY MCCORMACK 
R1/J1 85 4 R1/J2 82.5 4 175.50 
R2/J1 83.5 6 4 R2/J2 86 6 4 189.50
365.00 

3 BRAVO VAN DE KWAAKELHOEK ELIZABETH KENNY   
R1/J1 81 4 R1/J2 82 4 171.00 
R2/J1 84 9 4 R2/J2 84 7 4 192.00
363.00 

4 BASES LOADED KELLEY FARMER 
R1/J1 76 4 R1/J2 72 4 156.00 
R2/J1 87 9 4 R2/J2 83 7 4 194.00
350.00

5 GENEROUS DAVID OLIYNYK 
R1/J1 83 4 R1/J2 79 4 170.00 
R2/J1 82 6 4 R2/J2 79 5 4 180.00
350.00 

6 SURPRISE KELLEY FARMER 
R1/J1 82 4 R1/J2 80 4 170.00   
R2/J1 79 7 4 R2/J2 80 5 4 179.00
349.00 

7 RED SKY KELLEY FARMER 
R1/J1 73 4 R1/J2 76 4 157.00 
R2/J1 84 6 4 R2/J2 85 5 4 188.00
345.00 

8 BISSCHOP MAGGIE JAYNE  
R1/J1 77 4 R1/J2 83 4 168.00   
R2/J1 79 6 4 R2/J2 74 6 4 173.00
341.00 

9 LUXOR TIFFANY MORRISSEY 
R1/J1 78 1 R1/J2 78 1 158.00 
R2/J1 76 8 3 R2/J2 76 6 3 172.00
330.00 

10 CAPITOL HILL CAITLYN SHIELS 
R1/J1 70 4 R1/J2 70 4 148.00 
R2/J1 74 6 4 R2/J2 75 7 4 170.00
318.00 

11 REEVA II ALEXA ADELSON 
R1/J1 72 3 R1/J2 74 3 152.00 
R2/J1 78 2 3 R2/J2 72 3 158.00
310.00 

12 SUBLIME KELLEY FARMER 
R1/J1 74 4 R1/J2 77 4 159.00 
R2/J1 55 3 4 R2/J2 58 4 4 128.00
287.00