On Friday, January 17, during the opening Ocala January Classic week of the 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit at the renowned HITS Post Time Farm, the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby took center stage. Riders and spectators alike reveled in the thrilling atmosphere as the competition unfolded, showcasing the best of hunter talent in the picturesque setting. It was professional rider Morgan Ward-Knowlton and her exceptional partner, Comissario, who claimed top honors with a near-perfect combined score of 188.
The class featured a beautifully designed course crafted by Mr. Brian Collman, Kerry Kocher and Tim Hott, with judges Cynthia Hankins, Tricia Booker, and Johanna Hyppa presiding over the event. Twenty-two skilled horse-and-rider pairs, spanning junior, amateur, and professional levels, tackled the intricate track that demanded precision, style, and boldness. Riders began with the classic round in the iconic Main Hunter Ring before the top 12 advanced to the handy round, offering ample opportunity for brilliance and creativity.
Ward-Knowlton and her veteran derby mount Comissario, the 20-year-old gelding by Calido, captivated both judges and spectators with their impressive performance, earning a well-deserved victory and kicking off the winter season at HITS Ocala in style. The pair delivered the leading first-round score of 88, plus four bonus points for taking the high options, and then raised the bar in the handy round, earning a remarkable base score of 92 plus another four points for high options.
“I just wanted to have a smooth round and not have any mistakes that I sometimes make when I go for the riskier turns,” admitted Ward-Knowlton. “He felt super today. He was following me over every jump very nicely.”
Operating out of her Morlynn Farm in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, and Ocala, Florida, Ward-Knowlton has formed a lasting partnership with Comissario, and their success shows no signs of slowing down.
“He gets mad when the trailer leaves without him,” she laughed. “He’ll keep going as much as he can. I have some little kids in the barn that want to do the little derbies, so that may be something for him eventually.”
A fixture at HITS Ocala for several years, Ward-Knowlton and her team have also brought a unique flair to the venue with their boutique, The Everleigh Collection.
“Everleigh is a nice little boutique we started,” explained Ward-Knowlton. “I think it’s great for people to come shop and be able to look at something other than just horse products. They just do a great job here at HITS Ocala. The staff and management is fantastic.”
Finishing as the runner-up was young professional Anna Leighton aboard her own 15-year-old Warmblood gelding (Jazz x Cocktail), E-Jazz. Leighton showcased a textbook handy round to jump up the leaderboard and achieve a two-round total of 179. Rounding out the top three was Robert Lee with Tallyman, Carrie Ettinger’s 16-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Cyrano de Bergerac x Coriano), finishing on a score of 171.
Hunter competition rolled on throughout the week, with The League Hunter Derbies keeping the excitement alive. In the $750 League Bit O’ Straw 2’6” Hunter Derby, Adalyn Caggiano rode Gowe Farm’s seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Spock vant Merhof (Lavallino Ter Klomp x Clearway), to an impressive victory, earning top honors. Meanwhile, Lara Stearns and her horse, Life Is A Journey, outshined the competition to secure first place in the League Bit O’ Straw 2’ Hunter Derby.
The premiere week of HITS Ocala 2024 has officially come to a close, but the excitement resumes on January 22 with the Ocala January Festival.
