Amanda Steege and Lafitte De Muze repeated as champions of the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, held on Thursday at the 172nd Upperville Colt & Horse Show in Virginia. The duo delivered two rounds of their signature elegance and precision that evening beneath the oaks of historic Grafton Farm to earn a total score of 411 in front of a packed grandstand for one of the show’s spotlight events.
“He is just so special,” said Steege, who has partnered with Cheryl’s Olsten’s 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood (Darco—Everlychin De La Pomme) gelding for eight years. “He still seems to be getting better, and I don’t know how that’s possible, but this year we have raised our game and have even more confidence than before.”
Fresh off their high performance hunter championship at the Devon Horse Show (Pennsylvania), the pair secured the championship tricolor in the combined 3’9” green hunter/high performance hunter division early in the Upperville show week, winning two of four over fences classes and taking third in the under saddle. In Thursday evening’s derby, Steege and Lafitte delivered a first round score of 197 points from the judges, and their second round tallied an even more impressive score of 214. The pair recently finished 8th in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Devon Horse Show (Pennsylvania).
“We’ve had two amazing weeks showing at Upperville and Devon” Steege said. “Every round he’s delivered has been extra special; it’s been a dream couple of weeks for us.”
Watch their winning performance, courtesy of ClipMyHorse.tv:
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The Upperville derby drew 14 entries.
“The derby at Upperville is always special,” said Emily Day, UCHS executive director. “There’s nothing like showing at Upperville—the atmosphere, the tradition, the crowd. It brings out the best in every rider and horse and tonight was no exception.”
JJ Torano and VBK Equine LLC’s Tiara and Jennifer Hannan and Stephanie Bulger’s Cellestino tied for second place on 288 total points. Click here for full results.
Listen to Steege talk about their win, courtesy of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show:
