When Kenda Murray took over the reins of Cortofino from Mikayla Brabant last year, her sights were set on the low junior/amateur jumpers. Then the grey Hanoverian gelding took a shine to another ring…
“The plan at the very beginning was to do the 1.20 jumpers on him,” Murray said, who made her debut with the veteran campaigner at Thunderbird Show Park’s Canadian Premier last year. “And then after doing the CET [medal class], we did him in some hunter classes just to warm up and we were like, ‘Wow—he really likes this and it’s a bit more his speed.’ So we decided to just try him out in a derby and he was second in the first one that we did. He loves to do the rollbacks and all the stuff.”
That aptitude was on display Saturday as Murray and “Corto” captured the Amy Brattebo Canadian National Hunt & Go Derby 3’6″ with a winning score of 104. Georgia Hunt (CAN) finished second aboard Oxo van de Bien with 99, while Philippa Melski (USA) and Cablue PS rounded out the podium in third with 95.
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. Murray and Cortofino rose to the challenge, taking both high-option fences and executing a series of inside turns and handy rollbacks to secure the win.
Off course, Cortofino is a far cry from a fierce competitor. Murray painted a loving portrait of the “barn favorite.”
“He is the most spoiled puppy dog,” she enthused. “He is the best, and he just wants all the attention 24-7. If you’re standing next to him and you’re not paying attention to him, that’s not okay. He just wants to be cuddled and he’s very sweet—he’ll rest his head on your shoulder. Everyone loves him.”
The 3’6″ division of the Amy Brattebo Canadian National Hunt & Go Derby is a qualifier for the national finals, held at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, ON—and a clear goal for Murray and Cortofino this season.
“I’d love to qualify for the Royal again this year and just staying consistent, doing the high options and the inside turns, and building more confidence,” she said.
The Amy Brattebo National Hunt & Go Derby returns to tbird in August with the Summer Fort Welcome.
3’6″ Amy Brattebo National Hunt & Go Derby
Horse / Rider / Nationality / Owner / Score
- Cortofino / Kenda Murry / CAN / Bradbant Holdings Inc / 104
- Oxo van de Bien / Georgia Hunt / CAN / Joanne Dixon / 99
- Cablue PS / Philippa Melski / USA / Anna Brenneke / 95
- Case in Point / Patty McKenna / CAN / Patty McKenna / 93
- Octane / Kaidyn Griggs / USA / Paige Wagter / 92
- Heartvit ZH / Tracey Epp / CAN / Tracey Epp / 90
- Chaplin / Sara Petersen / USA / Jan O’Brien / 89
- Cornaidy / Molly Graham / CAN / Wendy Valdes / 85
- Gatsby / Philippa Melski / USA / Philippa Melski / 84
- Henri / Natalie Popham / CAN / Pam Shatzko / 83
Photo credit: Viola Mitchell Photography
