Wellington, Fla. – April 11, 2026—Hunter derby action highlighted Saturday morning of the Wellington International Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, with two winners accepting tricolors in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby, presented by Perfect Products, after a California split brought forward two winners. The winner of section A was Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, riding Perrier-Jouet, and the section B winner was Natalia McCarthy of Boca Raton, FL, riding Positano.
Victoria Colvin & Perrier-Jouet. Photo ©Sportfot
Natalia McCarthy & Positano. Photo © Sportfot
The Spring Series spans five weeks and runs through May 10, featuring hunter, jumper and equitation competition at Wellington International, home of the famed Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Learn more about the Spring Series HERE.
In the “hunt & go” format—where riders jumped a classic phase and a handy phase over one course—a total of 55 combinations took to Geoff Teall and Thomas Carlson’s track. Colvin and her mount, a 7-year-old Belgian Sport Horse by Carioca, boasted scores of 90 and 91 for a grand total of 181 points to take home the win in Section A for owner Macquarie Simon.
Victoria Colvin & Perrier-Jouet are presented as winners of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Perfect Products. Photo ©Sportfot
Fostering a partnership that began during the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) season, Colvin gained the ride with a goal to continue the development of the younger gelding.
“He has mostly been doing the adults and 3’3” division with his owner throughout the season, but I’ve done him a little bit in the 3’3” performance. He’s a cool horse and really easy,” said Colvin, who posted the high score of the day of a 91 on Perrier-Jouet in the International Arena.
“I always find it fun getting to go in the International Arena, and it’s great preparation for the horses,” said Colvin of the significance of the opportunities afforded riders during the Spring Series.
For complete results of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Section A, presented by Perfect Products, click HERE.
Earning a total score of 177 with an 89 in the classic and an 88 in the handy portion riding the 11-year-old Positano, a Warmblood gelding by Connor, McCarthy left the International Arena a winner of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Section B, presented by Perfect Products.
Natalia McCarthy & Positano are presented as winners of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Perfect Products. Photo ©Sportfot
“My horse is amazing. I’ve had him for a little over a year, and we both started working together last year. He’s been such a good partner; it was a little difficult to start, but it’s coming together now,” McCarthy, 16, said of her trusty mount owned by Northern Ridge Stables.
“I really liked the handy—I thought the turns came up nice for my horse. I loved the two options at the end, so you could go either way if your horse landed a certain lead, and today I got lucky,” explained the junior who rides under Merry Harding and Samantha Ramsay. “The high option was also his preferred lead, so everything was suited to him.”
Reserve Champion of Section A was awarded to Dyanna Rucco of North Easton, MA, riding Ravioli, owned by Morgan Eisler Bradley, with a total score of 178 points. The Section B reserve champion title was awarded to Elizabeth Reinhart of Carmel, IN, riding Soirée for owner Charlotte Rossetter on a score of 174.
For complete results of the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Section B, click HERE.
In the E.R Mische Grand Hunter ring, derby action continued with Harper Clark of Wellington, FL, being crowned champion of the $1,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur 2’6″ Hunter Derby aboard her mount Quintus, a 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Ashmeadow Farm. The pair earned a total score of 174, with the reserve champion title going to Lacy Cramer of Wellington, FL, and Life of a Showgirl, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Equi-Sport. They scored a total of 168 points.
Harper Clark & Quintus, are presented as winners of the $1,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur 2’6″ Hunter Derby. Photo ©Sportfot
For complete results of the $1,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur 2’6″ Hunter Derby, presented by Perfect Products, click HERE.
Champion of the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, sponsored by Spring Hollow, was Sienna Rossano of Fishers, IN, and her mount Gentle Touch, a 10-year-old German Riding Pony owned by Charlotte Rossetter, after scoring a total of 177 points. With a final score of 167, Reserve Champion went to Harper Clark of Wellington, FL, and Fox Creeks Curious George, a 19-year-old Half Welsh gelding owned by Oceans Edge Farm.
Sienna Rossano & Gentle Touch are presented as winners of the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, sponsored by Spring Hollow. Photo ©Sportfot
For complete results of the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, sponsored by Spring Hollow, click HERE.
To view complete results from Spring 2, click HERE. For champion and reserve titles, click HERE.
Visit WellingtonInternational.com to view results, schedules and streaming schedules for the Wellington International Spring Series, presented by Florida Coast Equipment.
