Jackson Brittan Finishes 1st and 2nd in the $5,000 Pony Hunter Derby

Because the popularity of the hunter derby continues to grow, an entire day was devoted to this event during the final week of the Colorado Summer Circuit. From the ponies to the high performance horses, there was a big money derby in each division. The day was punctuated with the popular Pink Coat Luncheon sponsored by Littleton Equine Medical Center and produced by Foxfire Farm, as well as an end of day exhibitor’s party.

$5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Sponsored by Nutrena Thirty-three horses competed in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Nutrena during The Colorado Horse Park’s Derby Day. Riders found a flowing course that utilized the hilly terrain of the large derby field at the park.

Emily Hertz rode Page Tredennick’s Splash to the win in the two-round class. The nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred gelding had only competed in one non-rated Derby prior to today’s class. “He really rose to the occasion,” Tredennick said. “He’s a ham–a sweet, sweet horse.”

While Splash may have wondered what he was doing in the large arena with long, flowing distances to the heavily decorated fences, he quickly got down to the business of showcasing his quality jump and beautiful canter. Hertz explained, “I thought he was perfect in the handy round; I couldn’t have asked him to be any better.”

Laurie Jueneman rode Dorothy Loughran’s Dolce to second place. Cindy Cruciotti and Nicole Lyvere’s All In earned the yellow ribbon.

Jackson Brittan Wins $5,000 Pony Hunter Derby Derby Day at The Colorado Horse Park kicked off with an impressive group of ponies in the $5,000 Pony Hunter Derby Sponsored by the Olson, Devencenty, Kerzner and Carlson families, along with Snowfield Farm.

Jackson Brittan of West Lake, Texas had two rides in the class and he made both of them count–finishing first and second. “It was a good feeling and nice to win a big class like this,” he said.

The 13-year-old trains at his Silver Oak Farms with John Roche and Chelsea Sundius, as well as with Peter Pletcher at the shows. Jackson’s twin brother, Spencer Brittan, also competed in Derby Day in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby.

Taking the blue ribbon was Woodland’s Blue Haze, a 15-year-old gray mare that Jackson has been riding for three years. “She’s been my learning pony,” Jackson said. “She’ll jump anything. This was a really good course for her.” The course was a beautiful, flowing track that took full advantage of the large field, including up and down hills. There were a lot of single jumps, giving the riders the opportunity to show off their ponies’ jumping style.

Jackson also finished second with Montana Blue, a mare he’s only been riding for two weeks. The pair earned an 86 in the handy round–the high score of the class. This derby was Jackson’s pony swan song; he’s moving on to the low junior jumpers.

Look for more Derby stories coming soon.

The Colorado Horse Park relies on the generosity of its sponsors, including Parker Adventist Hospital and Foundation, Littleton Equine Medical Center, Platinum Performance, Holiday Inn of Parker, Hampton Inn of Parker, Super 8 of Parker, Gesco Nursery, Griffis Group, Norstar, The Olson Family, Horse Connection, Comfort Suites of Castle Rock, Days Inn of Castle Rock, Nutrena, The Chronicle of the Horse, Wells Fargo Advisors, WeatherTech, THIS, Pony Lane Farm, The Jensen Family, The Devencenty Family, A Bit of Tack, Our Day Farm, Douglas and Associates, Grand Meadows, MGP Ventures, Animo, Dev Cook, Horseware Ireland, Our Day Farm, C & E Horse Transportation, Charles Owen, Arenus, Today’s Horse Trader, Ariat, Cosequin, Sidelines, Equisure, Stable Grounds, Cheval Colorado, Goose Down Farm, Suzy Sweitzer, Sandy Lee, Once Upon a Horse, Mrs. Patricia Carney Calkins and many more.

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Jackson Brittan

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Jackson Brittan finished first and second in the $5,000 Pony Hunter Derby sponsored by the Olson, Devencenty, Carlson and Kerzner families, along with Snowfield Farm. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography

Page Tredennick’s Splash

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Page Tredennick’s Splash took home the blue ribbon in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Nutrena. Photo credit: Flying Horse Photography