Earlier in the afternoon, the R+L Arena saw 25 horse-and-athlete combinations in the $15,000 USHJA National 3’ Non-Pro Hunter Derby. The class saw numerous high scoring duos; however, none came close to Sophia Tabasso and Solitude.
Tabasso, training out of Hunt Hill Farm in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, piloted her very own Solitude to two picture-perfect hunter rounds, taking the lead in the first round with a score of 91. Tabasso spoke on her longtime partner, “he [Solitude] is super special to me. I have had him for about two years now and he is the absolute sweetest in the barn. He always tries 100% and gives me his all every time. We have formed a really special bond.”
At the conclusion of the first classic hunter round, Tabasso came back to try her hand at Barton’s handy phase. The duo entered as the final pair to contest for the win. With consistent second round scores in the high 80’s, Tabasso had her sights set on maintaining her leading position.
“I really wanted to make it handy but above everything else I wanted to make it as smooth as I could. I knew that I could do the turns, but I wanted to make it as smooth as possible so that everything looked out of rhythm,” Tabasso comments on her handy round.
The 11-year-old Warmblood gelding impressed the judges with his athleticism and natural rhythm. The stunning pair laid down a brilliant second round to score a 96 for an overall score of 187, ultimately besting the field by 9 total points.
$15,000 USHJA National Non-Pro 3’ Hunter Derby Results
1 Solitude, Sophia Tabasso, Sophia Tabasso | 91 | 96 | 187
2 Don Chacco, Bianca Salituri, Bianca Salituri | 86 | 90 | 176
3 On Point, Alisa C. Berry, Alisa C. Berry | 90.5 | 85 | 175.5
4 Red Roc, Kiera Philpot, Kiera Philpot | 90 | 85 | 175
5 Empyrean, Emma Paul, Melissa Hirt | 87 | 84 | 171
6 L’ascension W, Madeline Sadowtiz, Madeline Sadowitz | 74 | 81 | 155
7 Clayton 35, Sarah Steele, Sarah Steele | 75 | 76 | 151
8 Dillem, Olivia Roure-Singh, Olivia Roure-Singh | 79 | 64 | 143
9 Pluto LWF, Claire Taylor, Claire Taylor | 73 | 76 | 140
10 The Huntsman, Emma Paul, Fox Meadow Farm | 84 | 34 | 118