Mc Queen’s gambit paid off. One round, one win—the chestnut KWPN mare followed her blockbuster victory in last week’s Foxstone Stables USHJA International Derby during the West Coast Classic with another triumph at this week’s Western Family, topping Thursday’s tbird Open Canadian Hunter Derby Hunt & Go 3’6″ with a score of 183.

The Hunt & Go format—which blends Classic and Handy hunter rounds into one uninterrupted trip—demands both precision and quick thinking. Mc Queen delivered on both counts, navigating Hailey Rogge’s track with the poise and handiness.

Bourgeois, who admitted she had momentarily forgotten the class was a single round format, praised her partner’s adaptability.

“I kind of forgot it was a [one] round [derby] this week and it’s her only class of the week after her winning the international last week—I was giving her an easy week,” Bourgeois said. “She was really good. After my first line I went inside back to the big vertical—she jumped at the top of the standards. I think she was a little like, ‘What are we doing today? Usually I have a first classic round before I have to go for my handy round!’”

Still, Mc Queen rose to the occasion. Bourgeois opted for the high option through the middle—a skinny, tall fence that few attempted. “It was a little bit ugly looking,” she admitted with a laugh. “But I trust her. She’s pretty careful. So she was great through there.”

The victory continues a remarkable run for the duo, who have now won four derbies in a row.

Mc Queen—a 13-year-old KWPN Warmblood mare by Inshallah de Muze out of Oraya—has been a consistent force in the hunter ring.

Bourgeois recalled their instant connection. “It was pretty much an instant match,” she said. “Three years ago, I brought her here in May—Thunderbird was my first horse show with her. It was pouring rain, and I was like, ‘Oh gosh, how is she gonna be?’ But she’s awesome in the mud and the rain. So I’m very lucky that way.”

Up next for Mc Queen: “Her pasture,” Bourgeois smiled. “Her next show will be August Thunderbird. So she gets to go spend some time out on her green grass pasture and she’ll have a couple easy weeks before we gear back up to come back up here.”

The Canadian Hunter Derby series returns to tbird in August for the Summer Fort Welcome with the Finals taking place at the Harvest Celebration. The Series winner will receive a $5,000 CWD credit. 

$7,500 tbird Open Canadian Hunter Derby Hunt & Go 3’6″

Full results here.