Tosh Earns Second Consecutive USHJA International Hunter Derby Win at Devon

The highly anticipated $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby kicked off the month of June at the 2023 Devon Horse Show. The Dixon Oval prepared to see several major classes on Thursday including the International Derby in the morning and the $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon for the night cap. The discipline of hunters is deeply rooted in tradition.

The USHJA International Hunter Derby was created to bring the tradition and art of horsemanship back to the show ring stronger and better than ever. Per the USHJA guidelines, the Classic Hunter Style Round shall be judged and numerically scored on quality, movement, jumping style manners and way of going, and pace and brilliance are to be rewarded. The Handy Hunter Round shall be judged on jumping style and efficiency while maintaining style and form, way of going, and overall flow.

In a field that saw a total of 39 horse and rider combinations compete, there were few that stood out amongst the group. Hunt Tosh and Ceil Wheeler’s Autograph owned the ring, laying two top scoring rides in both the classic and handy rounds to claim first place. The 10-year-old Warmblood gelding’s hunter cadence was second to none, and he showed off his impressive stride throughout the entire course. Following behind them with two impressive riders of their own were Colin Syquia and Cynthia Sulzberger’s Front Page to claim second place in the talented class.

ushja International Hunter Derby
Hunt Tosh and Autograph took the win in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.
© Phelps Sports/Jillian Eberlein

Hunt on his consistency:

“I’m lucky to have two great derby horses. [Autograph] actually won here last year, so to come back and do it two vears in a row was even more fun. He had two really great rounds, I was happy with him. He jumped great, and then came back in the handy and did really well. So for three days in a row, he jumped really well in three classes here at Devon.”

Syquia on his plan with Front Page:

“Front Page was fantastic the first round, I was really pleased. I also went in the middle of the pack a little bit earlier, but he answered every question in the first round. He came back in the handy, and was maybe a little late to the first jump on the left turn, but after that he was awesome.”

Colin Syquia and Front Page
© Phelps Sports/Jillian Eberlein

Hunt on the course:

“There really wasn’t many chances to take an option. I think it was truly more of a jumping contest today. I think you could be tidy and be smart about it, but there wasn’t a place that you had to do anything crazy tricky. So really, it was nice for the quality hunters that went in and jumped solid rounds.”

For full results, click here.

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