Tracey Epp and her veteran partner Heartvit ZH saved their best for last, earning a score of 104 to win the Amy Brattebo Real Estate Open 3’6″ Canadian Hunter Derby at Thunderbird Show Park’s Harvest Celebration.

The victory capped a remarkable 2026 season for the pair, who logged five top 10 finishes, including two wins, in the derby series to claim the overall series championship.

“I think his biggest strength is he knows when it’s a big deal,” Epp said of Heartvit ZH. “He knows when it is a big class, when there’s a crowd, he knows when it counts.”

With two mounts in the class, Epp bookended the start list and ultimately jumped to a one-two finish. She took second place aboard Klasse One with a score of 102. Shannon Haney and Lord Bellini F rounded out the podium in third with a score of 101. Just three points separated the top three finishers in the tightly contested class.

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 course, as well as for additional handiness and high performance displayed throughout the round. The competition also serves as a qualifier for the Canadian Hunter Derby National Championship, held at the Royal Horse Show in November.

Course designer Greg Kuti set a 12-jump track. Epp executed all five high options, relying on the former 1.50m jumper’s scope to earn crucial bonus points.

“I’m really lucky because I had two horses in the class,” Epp said. “I kind of knew after I did my first horse where I could be a little more slick, and I knew how the turns and the lines rode. I think that was my advantage.”

The Czech Warmblood stallion maintains a “full-time job” as a breeding stallion alongside his competition career.

For Epp, the series championship represents more than just a title—it’s preparation for the biggest stage in Canadian hunter competition.

“I have done all of the [Amy Brattebo Real Estate Canadian Hunter derbies] this year, and I was lucky enough to be the overall series champion,” Epp said. “It’s super important to be able to follow the series to know where you rank. We take him out east for medal finals, so it’s nice going in off a big win and a series win, and it just keeps things in perspective for the Finals.”

The Canadian Hunter Derby series continues to serve as a vital development pathway for hunters in British Columbia and beyond, offering riders the opportunity to accumulate points throughout the season while preparing for national championship competition. With the Royal Horse Show on the horizon, Epp and Heartvit ZH will look to carry their series momentum onto the national stage.

$3,000 Amy Brattebo Real Estate Open 3’6″ Canadian Hunter Derby Top 8