The class gave riders the opportunity to take their horses around the derby field for the first time before this weekend's feature class, the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by the World Equestrian Center. Colvin, whose first mount had an unfortunate refusal, kept her cool and came back after the break and bested the scores of Scott Stewart, Peter Pletcher and Kelly Farmer.
"This was a really fun class to win," Colvin said. "I have never ridden on the grass here. It was actually a large course, which I didn't expect, but Cuba was amazing. It's a great way to start." The 10-year-old Warmblood gelding, owned by Brad Wolf of Memphis, Tennessee, made the large course look like a walk in the park, earning a score of 90 from the judges. "He is so easy going, so I knew he was probably going to go in there and just go right around," Colvin remarked. "I didn't think I was going to win, but winning was great!"
Hot on Colvin and Cuba's heels was Herrera aboard Jennifer Alfano's Candid. The pair, who trotted onto the field directly after Colvin and Cuba's near-perfect performance, had an almost equally impressive round with a score of 89. Alfano was thrilled with her horse's round, considering how new he is to derby-style competition.
"I thought he was unbelievable!" gushed Alfano. "This is only his second derby, and he has never been on a grass field and he was just awesome."
Herrera was equally pleased with Candid and thought the course was the perfect way to prepare for Saturday and Sunday's competition. The course was very nice and inviting. I think they did a great job getting everyone out there for a nice welcome class," Herrera said.
Sara Green and Carento, owned by Sherri Crawford, rounded out the top three placings in the class with a score of 88. Colvin had little time to rest before dominating the leader board in the following 3' Deeridge Derby Warm Up. The professional athlete had five horses entered in the division and rode three of them into the top five with first, second and fifth place finishes in a class that hosted 54 competitors.
"It's pretty easy," Colvin said about the multiple rides. "I find it fun. It's more fun for me to get on one and get on the next, then have to wait for 25 trips. It gets a little boring, and they're all pretty simple. It's easy to adapt to all of them. They all give a special ride, but thankfully, they're not too hard.
After the break, halfway through the class, Colvin entered the arena aboard Laura Karat's grey Polish Sport Horse, Harper Lee, and set the score to beat with an 88. As the crowd waited for Colvin to close out the class, she entered the ring in the irons of John & Stephanie Ingram, LLC's Fonteyn. After her trip around the Skip Bailey-designed course, she exited as the announcer called out the score.
"With a score of 89, Victoria Colvin and Fonteyn slide into first place," Brian Lookabill announced. As Colvin dismounted the bay German Sport Horse, she was welcomed with applause and gratitude from two pleased owners, who posed for pictures with their ribbons and fabulous horses.
Although Colvin only just started riding both horses at the beginning of the winter season, she has established a relationship with them and has learned their quirks.
"Fonteyn, she's a bit quirky sometimes," Colvin explained. "On my way to the first jump, she saw the golf cart coming behind her. I could see her ear twitch back telling me 'there's something chasing me.' She contained herself, but that's her little thing. She gets a little worried and holds her head to the side. Harper Lee is straight forward and knows her job. She's just a baby."