February 21, 2025, Myakka City, Florida. The TerraNova Winter Series’ second week debuted featured competition on Friday, February 21, 2025 with both the Magnolia and Lakeside Arenas in full swing. Featuring five weeks of top-tier hunter, jumper, and equitation competition, the series also boasts weekly international show jumping action at the two-star level.
A chilly morning hailed the start of hunter competition in the Magnolia Arena for the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Premier Sotheby’s International Realty while international jumper athletes prepared to trot their way into the inspection at the Rood & Riddle FEI Jog before the afternoon’s The Estates at TerraNova $32,000 1.45m FEI Welcome Speed.
J.P. Goddard returned to the venue’s hunter ring for a second week to design both the classic round and handy round tracks for the day’s derby event. Doubling down on her brilliant performance in the first week, Laura Douglas (Lexington, KY) and Balou Label once again delivered top rounds to take the title of winner for the second week in the row. Earning scores of 84.00 points in the classic round and 86.00 in the handy round from the judges, the Kentucky native piloted Dell Kelly’s 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Balou to a total score of 170.00 points for the win.
“It was nice this week because it was a little bit simpler actually,” explained Douglas of the course. “I think there were a lot more green horses and riders here this week, so I think it was really suitable for those just going around their first derby. Either way it was smooth and flowing and it was a good time.”
“It was freezing and the horses were definitely a little fresh,” she laughed. “Mine had some cheekier behavior than usual, but he held it together and jumped fantastic. He jumps really well whether it’s hot or cold but when it’s cold he gives it a little extra oomph.”
Junior rider, Magnolia Mendiola (St. Petersburg, FL), and her own 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Contillon Blue, by Conthargos, rode to the reserve position with a total score of 152.00 points at the completion of both rounds, while Shane Rubin (Valrico, FL) and Sarah Marquardt’s 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, Punchline, rounded out the top three.
Amanda Derbyshire Wins the Estates at TerraNova FEI Welcome Speed
Having passed the inspection process at the beginning of the day, 27 international riders put the finishing touches on their performances before making their way through the archway of the Lakeside Arena to contest a challenging track laid out by Manuel Esparza Perez’s (MEX) in The Estates at TerraNova $32,000 1.45m FEI Welcome Speed. Six nations had the opportunity to take home the first international win of the week, but with a spotless speedy record, Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire left little to chance and topped the leaderboard on J Diago.
“This was only my second show on him as we imported him from Ireland after Christmas,” explained Derbyshire of the Pine Hollow Farms’ 11-year-old KWPN gelding by Diarado. “He’s totally my type of horse, he’s a little spicy, fast, speedy horse. He feels like he has a lot of scope, so I’m excited to do the grand prix tomorrow and see what we can achieve together.”
Although Derbyshire typically winters in Wellington, Florida, she is one of several international competitors that now frequents TerraNova Equestrian Center’s world-class venue whenever possible.
“I love coming here,” she gushed. “There’s no stress, no pressure. The staff are very accommodating to make it a really nice weekend for everyone. It’s also a really good place to bring younger horses here because it’s a really nice starter for them.”
The USA’s Mia Bagnato and the Elan Farms’ nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Cornet du Lys x Conthargos, Cordiamo, raced into the second place position with a finishing time of 58.760 seconds, splitting Derbyshire’s dominating performances. Flying to both the third and fourth positions, Derbyshire’s time of 59.160 seconds also on the Pine Hollow Farms’ entry, Sade de Rialfo Z, a nine-year-old Zangersheide mare by Stakkato Gold x Pousse du Pays D’auge closed the door on the podium.