With a 92 and an 89 in the first round of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Desert Circuit VII, in Thermal, California, Jenny Karazissis had the enviable position of coming back last with Big Shot. After walking her course and making her plan, she watched a few other pairs before it was her turn to tackle the Kerry Kocher-designed course on March 12.
As the scores came in, she realized she wouldn’t have to take quite so many risks.
“It was really tricky getting to the high option vertical before the rollback turn to the double,” Karazissis said, so she opted to skip it.
She did go for the inside turn after the forward six early in the course though. “It really tested your handiness big time,” said Karazissis.
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The judges rewarded Karazissis with massive scores of 97 and 93 to take home the win with Dulcie Lou Morris’ 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Lordanos—Ulana MCF).
Watch their winning round, courtesy of USEF Network:
