The first class of the day was underway at 8 a.m. in the Annex Ring at Swan Lake Horse Shows. Cooper and her 9-year-old mount entered the arena for the first round in the seventh-slot, jumping every high option available to receive a score of 86 points, giving them a 6-point edge heading into the handy round.
Panetta and Gray Street were the first pair of the day to take on the derby course, setting the bar high for competitors that followed with a first-round score of 82.5 points.
After a fantastic handy round that earned her a score of 89 points, she took over the lead with a two-round total of 171.5 points. Cooper was the final rider in the handy round and earned a score that just edged out Panetta to take over the lead.
RESULTS – $2,500 USHJA NATIONAL HUNTER DERBY
1 SANDLOT / KATIE COOPER / 86; 86.5; 172.5
2 GRAY STREET / ALEXANDRA PANETTA / 82.5; 89; 171.5
3 ADVENTURE / MATTHIAS HOLLBERG / 80; 83; 163
4 VALIANT / MELISSA MARSHALL / 72; 80; 152
5 BOSSA NOVA / JULIE OLIVER / 59; 90; 149
6 TORY BURCH / RACHEL PEKALA / 66; 0; 66
7 MEMPHIS / CAROLINE FLOOD / 64; 0; 64