Philippa Melski piloted the newly converted Remington to victory in the Forest Edge Farm USHJA International Derby 3’6″ during the Odlum Brown BC Open at Thunderbird Show Park. It was a performance that seemed preordained by name and nature alike.
Melski, whose name derives from the ancient Greek Philippos—a combination of philos (“lover” or “friend”) and hippos (“horse”)—proved the literal “lover of horses” aboard a gelding still learning the vocabulary of the hunter ring. The win marked a career pivot for Remington, who arrived in Melski’s barn just six months ago with an entirely different résumé: former jumper, campaigned at the 1.40m level in Europe.
“Before today, he had never done a derby. He just walked in there like he has done a dozen at least,” Melski said. “He just seemed like he was right at home.”
Course designer Kristen Rodel set the stage for a competitive two-round derby format. Following the opening classic hunter round, the top 12 returned in reverse order for the handy hunter round—a positioning that placed Melski and Remington last to go. The pair answered the pressure with a harmonious trip marked by effortless inside turns, a smooth and steady trot jump, and ambitious lines that saw them take both high options.
The result: a winning two-round total of 359 (178 + 181).
Georgia Hunt and OXO Van De Bien finished in reserve with 357.25, while Quinn Partridge aboard By The Numbers and Molly Graham riding Cornaidy tied for third on 350.
Melski also claimed sixth place aboard Gatsby with a score of 348.
Of Remington, whose quiet confidence in the ring belies his recent transition, Melski added: “He’s the sweetest animal with four legs in the universe. He has to touch you all the time. He always tries 200%.”
Described by his rider as “the sweetest” and a true “pocket horse,” Remington has taken to his new job with the ease of a seasoned derby veteran.
“We’ve had him about six months,” Melski said. “He just seems right at home.”
$25,000 Forest Edge Farm USHJA International Hunter Derby 3’6″
| Rank | Horse | Rider | Nation | Owner | Round 1 | Round 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Remington | Philippa Melski | USA | Reade Conant | 178 | 181 | 359 |
| 2 | OXO Van De Bien | Georgia Hunt | CAN | Joanne Dixon | 174 | 183.25 | 357.25 |
| 3 (tie) | By The Numbers | Quinn Partridge | CAN | Wendy Valdes | 169 | 181 | 350 |
| 3 (tie) | Cornaidy | Molly Graham | USA | Aspen Hill Farm LLC | 172 | 178 | 350 |
| 5 | Gatsby | Philippa Melski | USA | Eyckenhoeve Group Inc | 170 | 178 | 348 |
| 6 | Chocotoff | Morgan Thomas | USA | Robert Fries | 151 | 191 | 342 |
| 7 | Save The Date | Shelly Kerron | USA | Meredith Pleasant | 160 | 174.5 | 334.5 |
| 8 | Major Contender | Conlan White | CAN | Sylvie Haas | 160 | 169 | 329 |
| 9 | Corona OS | Charlotte Reeve | CAN | Charlotte Reeve | 142 | 149 | 291 |
| 10 | Cheers! | Olivia Aul | USA | Olivia Aul | 98 | 184 | 282 |
Photo credit: Viola Mitchell Photography
