On Thursday, August 8, the final week of the 2024 Vermont Summer Festival buzzed with the excitement of the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, a standout event set against the picturesque backdrop of Manchester’s majestic mountains. Riders, clad in elegant shadbellies and pristine white breeches, gathered in the main hunter arenas with their sights set on the coveted top prize. Amidst the thrill and anticipation, it was junior rider Nina Basha and her impressive mount, Jonas v/d Hees, who emerged victorious, capturing the top honors with a combined score of 167.
The class showcased a stunning hunt-and-go style course designed by Brian Post from Phoenix, Arizona, which tested the 20 talented horse-and-rider combinations spanning junior, amateur, and professional levels. Judges Richard Slocum of Manchester, Vermont, and Mike Rosser of Southern Pines, North Carolina, oversaw the competition, which unfolded in two phases. First, riders tackled the classic portion of the derby in the Hunter 1 arena. Following this, they made their way across a connecting path to the Hunter 2 arena, where they executed the handy portion of the course.
Basha, the 14-year-old junior rider of South Burlington, Vermont, bested the field in her first-ever national hunter derby.
“We only bought Jonas a few months ago,” explained Basha, who trains with Alice Cassidy and the team at Hemlock Hill Farm in Shelburne, Vermont. “I never even thought we’d move up to the 3’ level this year, let alone a derby.”
Basha’s quickly successful partnership with Jonas v/d Hees, her own 10-year-old KWPN gelding (Eldino x Colman), began March . Previously, ‘Jonas’ has had an accomplished career in the junior hunter rankings, and Basha hopes to continue that track record in the years to come.
“He always takes care of me every time we go in the ring,” said Basha. “I was really nervous. I was hoping to just ribbon in this class, and he just took care of me throughout the course. I thought the course flowed really nicely and wasn’t too tricky. This is my favorite horse show of the year, so to have had a win like this here is really special.”
With a score of 159.25, Maggie Lawrence and Pamela Lawrence’s 19-year-old Selle Français gelding (Drakkar des Hutins x Karate), Ruslam de Petra, claimed the runner-up prize. First to go in the class, Libby Wehling and Quirinus, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Quiwi Dream owned by L & M Farms Inc, finished on a score of 159 for third place.
In the Tiny Bit O’ Straw Hunter Derby, Lily Amit rode Alexandra Talmage’s 19-year-old Irish Sport pony Stars Above to impressive scores of 83.5 and 92 to take home the blue ribbon. Emilie MacMillan piloted the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding MTM Worth It (Monte Bellini), owned by Christine Creque to the top of the Bit O’ Straw 2’6” Hunter Derby.
While hunter action at HITS Vermont in 2024 has come to a close, the HITS Vermont Summer Festival returns with another exciting horse show season 2025, featuring top hunter, jumper, and equitation competition, plus fun and unique exhibitor and spectator activities.
