Lisa Wall and Tangled Up In Blue celebrated the 50th annual Menlo Charity Horse Show with a win in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, held Aug. 11 at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, California.

Festivities kicked off before the class with a nod to the tradition of the international hunter derby and the hunter discipline, including a parade of the Red Rock Hounds of Reno, Nevada, and a color guard made up of members from the Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County.

Lisa Wells and Tangled Up In Blue won the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Aug. 11 at the Menlo Charity Horse Show in Atherton, Calif. GrandPix Photo

The two-round derby started with a field of 18 top hunters and riders. The fences spanned 3’6″ to 4′, with high-option fences up to 4’3″. The first round was a classic hunter round, where riders showcased their horses’ quality, pace and scope to the panel of judges. Riders picked up the pace in the handy round, opening their horse’s stride and galloping to the fences, and taking tighter turns to showcase the horse’s boldness.

Wall and Tangled Up In Blue stood out in both rounds, and the pair came home winners with a score of 377. The 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Dirado, owned by 3P Equine Partners, LLC, exhibited a lovely expression and stayed on rhythm beautifully through the classic round. The crowd quieted in the handy round, watching as they galloped to victory.

“She jumped great today. She picked up the canter and was all business,” Wall said. “This was only her third international hunter derby—she’s showing in the 3’6” green. She was third in her first international hunter derby at [Desert Circuit IV in] Thermal [California], then we won a derby at Blenheim [June Classic (San Juan Capistrano, California)] last month, and then we brought her here. She did very well in the handy; she really rose to the occasion.

“She’s an incredible mare, a once in a lifetime horse, for sure,” Wall continued, “Menlo has been a really fun horse show. The attention to detail is wonderful, and it’s great to be a part of the 50th anniversary.”

The class was commentated by Carleton Brooks and Patrick Seaton. Watch Wall’s winning second round by clicking the photo below:

Video Courtesy of Showgrounds Live

The Menlo Charity Horse Show, a nonprofit organization, was honored with the designation as a USEF Heritage Competition in 2012. Recognized as one of the finest equestrian events in the United States, Menlo also has a legacy of philanthropy, raising much needed funds for numerous charities.

“We’re just so happy to have the horse show back,” said Dr. Daryl K, Hoffman, who sponsored Thursday’s hunter derby. “We’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of Menlo and for a worthy and much-needed charity, the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.”

Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Vista), was founded in 1936 and is the premier resource for individuals with vision loss in San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. Vista Center helps clients reach their highest potential through programs that promote independence and improve quality of life. During its partnership, Menlo has raised over $6 million for Vista Center.

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