Tracey Epp’s Heartvit ZH is a double threat. The 11-year-old Czech Warmblood breeding stallion competes in the both the international jumper and the international hunter rings.
“I’ve had him about a year and a half,” said Epp. “The first year I jumped him in the three star [FEI events] and this year was the first year we did him in the hunters just because he’s a breeding stallion as well, so we promote him as double duty.”
On Friday at Thunderbird Show Park, the versatile stallion showed how well suited he is to the job, jumping to the top of leaderboard in the Amy Brattebo Real Estate Open Canadian Hunter Derby with a score of 95.
Series defending champions Ashley Arnoldt and Light My Fire finished second on 92 to reclaim their title in the Canadian Hunter Derby Series and take home a new CWD Saddle. Katina Klimach and Black Pearl took third on a score of 90.
“Luckily, [Heartvit ZH] jumped the FEI classes last year, so he’s naturally quite good at turning,” said Epp. “And I was lucky enough to show a lot in the States this year, so we did the International Derby and we got a lot of practice doing the handy [rounds].”
The Canadian Hunter Derby is a one-round competition judged as a handy hunter class. Additional bonus points are awarded for jumping up to five high options on courses as well as for additional handiness and high performance displayed on course. The competition also serves as a qualifier for the Canadian Hunter Derby National Championship, held at the Royal Horse Show in November.
It’s a destination already on Epp’s calendar.
“I’m going to take him to Toronto this year, so I thought, let’s give it a shot [here at tbird]. I’ve got to practice and here’s the show to do it.”
According to the Richmond-based rider, Heartvit ZH is embracing his new job in the hunter ring.
“He loves it! Because as a jumper he had to [be on a diet] and as a hunter, he can eat as much as he wants! That’s the life,” laughed Epp.
Earlier in the evening, Olivia Buffoni and Cold Brew jumped to the win in the Junior/Amateur division of the Amy Brattebo Real Estate Canadian Hunter Derby on a score of 103. Ellie Kurtz and Cornet de Prinz took second on 98 and Taylor McManus and Parisien D&D third on 95.
$3,000Amy Brattebo Real Estate Open Canadian Hunter Derby 3’6″
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Score
1. Heartvit ZH / Tracey Epp / CAN / Tracey Epp / 95
2. Light My Fire / Ashley Arnoldt / CAN / Jennifer Arnoldt / 92
3. Black Pearl / Katrina Klimach / CAN / Katrina Klimach / 90
4. Oxo Van De Bien / Allison Lagan / CAN / Signe Dixon / 86
5. Morrison / Olivia Alstad / CAN / Anika Kasian / 53
