Results from Thunderbird Show Park (Tbird), Canada

Heartvit ZH Makes Hearts Sing in Amy Brattebo Real Estate Hunter Derby

Tbird – Langley, BC — Heartvit ZH made the transition from FEI into the hunter ring last year and has taken to his new job quite well. The 12-year-old Czech Warmblood stallion (Forever van de Noordheuvel x Caesar) has won two consecutive hunter derbies in his new lifestyle, topping Saturday’s Amy Brattebo Real Estate Hunter Derby at the April Season Opener.

With Tracey Epp (CAN) aboard, the duo’s international show jumping background helped them navigate Kirsten Rodel’s derby track. Jumping up to the CSI3* level, the jumps are now quite easy for Heartvit ZH, but he’s also flashy enough to catch attention.

“I thought the course was lovely,” Epp said. “He’s an ex-jumper so I was able to showcase some of the turns nicely, which was very helpful. You just look and he goes. The three-star experience helped him out a little bit.”

The score earned over the course was a 104, handing Epp and Heartvit the win by a margin of only one point. Light My Fire took second place with Ashley Arnoldt aboard for Jennifer Arnoldt, and OXO Van de Bien was third with Allison Lagan in the irons for Joanne Dixon.

Heartvit ZH is a breeding stallion, and he’s an appealing option for those wanting both hunters and jumpers alike.

“He has a lot of offspring that do jumpers in Europe,” Epp explained. “Last year was his first year doing the hunters so we’re starting that way of life.” Still ahead are more big challenges, which Epp believes Heartvit can rise to. Last year the stallion was fifth at Derby Finals in Toronto at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and she hopes to bring him back for a higher placing this year.

Amy Brattebo Real Estate Open 3’6″ Canadian Hunter Derby
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Score

1. Heartvit ZH / Tracey Epp / CAN / Tracey Epp / 104
2. Light My Fire / Ashley Arnoldt / CAN / Jennifer Arnoldt / 103
3. OXO Van de Bien / Allison Lagan / CAN / Joanne Dixon / 98
4. Cold Brew / Olivia Buffoni / CAN / Ashleigh Taylor / 91
5. Follow Suit / Georgia Hunt / CAN / Ellen Brown / 89
6. Diamond Contender VF / Ava Mikkelsen / CAN / Lauren Mercer / 86
7. Morrison / Olivia Alstad / CAN / Anika Kasian / 59
8. Lovely PJ / Mairead Gurney / CAN / Robyn Kopala / 86

The winner in the $5,000 MarBill Hill U25 1.40m, powered by Solaris Equestrian, was Locklyn Williamson (CAN) with Izo, owned by Desiree Johnson. The pair rode to the only clear effort in a time of 86.58 seconds. Show jumpers at Thunderbird Show Park will now focus their efforts on Sunday’s Maui Jim Grand Prix. Tickets are on sale at at tbird.ca/tickets.

Carla Diewert and WH Corona Lean on Experience to Top Emily Sandhack Equestrian Realty 1.35m Open Jumper Classic

Carla Diewert (CAN) didn’t know she was going to have to bring her A-game into the Emily Sandhack Equestrian Realty 1.35m Open Jumper Classic on Saturday afternoon. Among a competitive field, all entries jumped clear in the first round, so the win was going to take something great.

In her partner WH Corona, a 16-year-old gelding (Carthago Sun III x Charmeur), she felt prepared and confident. With the $10,000 Maui Jim Grand Prix still to come on Sunday, she created a solid plan, executed it, and left gas in the tank for another round.

“I actually did my original plan,” Diewert, of Foothills, AB, said of her jump-off track. “I did all the counts I wanted to because I wanted to have enough horse for tomorrow but it worked out because I was a hair faster anyway so I didn’t have to leave one out. I was glad I was a little quicker. I think I had a slightly faster gallop to fence one than the other two and I think that’s where I caught them. I did the same counts as the others.”

Going last in the order always helps, since Diewert could see what needed to be done, although it can sometimes add pressure when everyone delivers, like they did Saturday. She ended up a fraction of a second quicker than second-place finisher Dana Henson aboard EZ Ace for Brandon Equestrian Ltd. Tracey Epp claimed third with Klasse One, all three on double-clear efforts.

Time was on their side in more than one way, as Diewert has owned WH Corona for about a decade.

“I’ve had this horse a long time, 10 years,” she said of their partnership. “He was hard to start but he’s been great lately. He’s really grown up. I’ve done him in some grand prixs—he’s the greener of my two grand prix horses—but I thought this week I have to start treating him as more of a priority because he’s ready now.”

The gelding proved he’s ready, and his next task will be jumping Sunday’s Maui Jim Grand Prix to attempt to duplicate the success.

Regarding what she likes about Thunderbird Show Park, Diewert replied, “There are so many things. I grew up here, so it’s always nice to come home and see familiar faces and catch up with everyone. It’s great to see all the changes here. It’s a wonderful venue to compete. It’s so nice to see old friendly faces. And it’s not raining so it’s a good time to come!”

Emily Sandhack Equestrian Realty 1.35m Open Jumper Classic
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Faults / Time

1. WH Corona / Carla Diewert / CAN / Carla Diewert / 0/0 / 38.20
2. EZ Ace / Dana Henson / CAN / Brandon Equestrian Ltd / 0/0 / 38.64
3. Klasse One / Tracey Epp / CAN / Tracey Epp / 0/0 / 39.55
4. Infostar / Georgia Hunt / CAN / Georgia Hunt / 0/0 / 40.37
5. Brad 7 / Christopher Lowe / CAN / Christopher Lowe / 0/0 / 43.21
6. Pericola van de Looise Heide / Ashley Papalia / CAN / Ashley Papalia / 0/8 / 46.78

HSJ from Tbird press release

All photos ©tbird/Kady Dane Photography

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