Patrick Miller and Redwood Garner $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby Victory at HITS Culpeper
Culpeper, VA – September 30, 2023 – All eyes were on the main hunter ring on Saturday afternoon at HITS Culpeper for the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Exhibitors and spectators gathered to watch some of the nation’s top hunter riders vie for the winning honors in one of the week’s highlight events. Patrick Miller and Redwood captured the judges attention as soon as they entered the ring, showcasing brilliance over every jump to garner the winning title.
Patrick Miller and Redwood. Photographed by Alison Hartwell.
“Redwood is pretty new to me – my sister found him about four months ago and called me saying that she thinks I could pair really well with this horse, ” explained Miller, “We brought him home and started working with him. This was actually our second derby together and Redwood was just perfect from the first jump in the classic to the last jump in the handy!”
As the third pair to enter the show ring during the classic round, Miller and Redwood put in a beautiful first round, earning a score of 88 and leading the pack into round two. It was clear the new found team was a great match as they jumped across the derby course in classic hunter style and in top form over all four high-option jumps.
Patrick Miller and Redwood. Photographed by Alison Hartwell.
“I actually was braiding horses during the course walk and ended up missing it, so I went in off of watching the horse before me” said Miller, “The first round, we went in and Redwood just felt ready. He came right up to jump one and was perfect. Then he just powered off the ground and gave the best jump at the first high option. He was great the rest of the way, I felt like he just jumped better and better as the course went on. It was a great course because it really allowed you to show off your horse.”
Miller and Redwood were the final pair in the ring during the handy, and the team impressed the judges with their tight turns and a beautiful gallop. They ended up with a 87 and overall score of 175 points to lead the day’s lap of honor. Following Miller was Kelsey Cambell with On Your Mark, the pair earned a total score 169 to place second. Rounding out the top three was Lynne Gebhard on Miss Coconut with their total score of 164.
Kelsey Cambell and On Your Mark. Photographed by Alison Hartwell.
“I would like to thank my team at Spring Place Farm, and I would really like to thank my mom. My mom, my sister, and myself all have a piece into Redwood and we all love him. Today was really special because it was a big family win for us, and everyone in the barn kind of feels like they own a piece of Redwood,” added Miller.
Growing up at HITS Culpeper, Patrick expressed his love for the venue and the recent improvements being made stating, “I've grown up coming to Culpeper and showing here from the time I was in the ponies and a junior. It’s so beautiful here, I will always love it, but I think the footing is by far the best it's ever been. I can tell every horse is now jumping better and better on it. I’m very pleased with all the work they have been putting into the showgrounds,”
Lynne Gebhard and Miss Coconut. Photographed by Alison Hartwell.
One more weekend of competition remains at HITS Culpeper with the newly add Marshall & Sterling Gold Star Horse Show. Featuring a $2,500 Tiny Bit O’ 2’ Hunter Derby, $2,500 Bit O’ Straw 2’6” Hunter Derby, $2,500 M&S Low Child/Adult Jumper Classic from October 6 – 7. Entries will be accepted until the start of the show.
For more information, visit www.hitsshows.com