Let’s talk about Bruno!

Chelsea Brittner (CAN) and Encanto (aka “Bruno”) put on an encore performance in the 3′ Country Lane Farm Open USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby—and rode to a decisive repeat win, topping the 59-horse field by nearly 10 points.

In May, Brittner and the flashy gelding won the titular derby in the Grand Hunter Arena at tbird’s Odlum Brown BC Open. On Sunday, they did it again, this time on the grass in the Fort Grand Prix Arena.

Amanda Rudin (USA) and Flight Instructor took second with a score of 346.5. Rodney Tulloch (CAN) and Casalito’s Boy were third on 345.

The Hunt & Go Derby format is a single-round competition that seamlessly blends the Classic and Handy hunter rounds into one uninterrupted trip, rewarding handiness, adjustability, and boldness.

Brittner executed a conservative yet fluid classic round, feeling out how the 10-year-old Warmblood would handle competing on grass. In the handy, she ramped up the pace and handiness of their track to show off his scope, willingness, and expansive stride.

“For the handy, I was really able to show off just how rideable he is,” she explained. “I could do that tight slice, and he did it so smoothly. I could really let go of the reins and let him gallop on down to the single oxer, and then he came back so beautifully and did a nice tight S-turn over the hay back to the last double. I think by that point, I was able to just show off his different gears through the course.

“It was so nice on the field to let him out of the box a little bit—he’s got such a big, beautiful gallop.”

Sunday’s class was a proving ground of sorts for Encanto, who is new to derby competition this year.

“This is only his third derby, and he’s never gone on a grass field like that before,” Brittner continued, adding that she strategically opted not to do the first high option at fence three.

“It was very airy, it was black, it’s a bit hard to see. It was a very careful jump, and for that to be the first high option, I wasn’t sure if he’d feel settled by then,” she said. “For where he’s at in his development, it seemed like that one point was maybe not worth it. But once I jumped the next couple jumps, I was like, okay, he’s got this.”

Brittner only rides Encanto, owned by Hazel McLean, at horse shows. In three derbies at tbird this season, they’ve never finished outside the top two. 

The 3′ Country Lane Farm Open USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby returns to tbird in August for the Summer Fort Classic. The series winner, based on accumulated scores throughout all USHJA National and Hunt & Go Derbies, will be awarded a Butet hunter bridle, martingale and girth.

$20,000 3′ Country Lane Farm Open USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby