Inaugural USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships – West Winners Crowned
The USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships made their West Coast debut on Friday, October 31, at Desert International Horse Park’s National Sunshine Series 1. Four overall champions were crowned, along with 10 age-group division winners, recognizing amateur riders competing from 2’6” to 3’6”.
Ann Deren-Lewis Leads the Way in Low Adult Amateur Hunter 2’6” Championship
Just six weeks ago, Ann Deren-Lewis was undergoing ankle surgery, but on Friday, she was back in the saddle and back to winning in a big way.
Sixteen horse-and-rider combinations vied for top honors in the Low Adult Amateur Hunter 2’6” Championship, but it was Deren-Lewis and her own Playing Country who ultimately claimed the first tricolor of the day. The duo took home the Amateur Hunter 2’6” 50 & Over division championship before being named the overall 2’6” champions.
“We worked all year, and then I had a little setback [having ankle surgery],” said Deren-Lewis, who trains with Kate Considine. “I jumped about two times before I got here, and I’m so pleased. I hope I can hold my tears back!”
For Deren-Lewis, it helps that she has known her winning mount, Playing Country or “Cupid,” since the now 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was 6.
“He’s an amazing creature. I’m so lucky to have him,” said Deren-Lewis. “This morning, I was nervous, but I went in there and said, ‘Calm your mind, just get over the fences carefully, be consistent. Good things happen when you’re consistent and just believe. Keep my hands out front, look at the fences, and when he says go, let’s just go.’”
Deren-Lewis continued, “[This Championships] is important as folks are moving up or coming down with age. To offer things for everyone at the highest level—it’s so exciting to be recognized. No matter what height fence you’re going over, it’s still you and your partner out there doing the best you can, and by offering us this opportunity at 2’6”, we get to go show that like anybody else.”
While the USHJA Amateur Hunter Championships – West was one of Deren-Lewis’ goals, she also has another big one outside of the show ring: getting back on the running trail.
“When I’m not riding, which is my true passion, I’m an ultra-trail runner, so I run 100 mile races,” explained Deren-Lewis. “I’ve done eight of them so far. My next goal is not only this riding, but now to get back on the trails and the mountains and go to a race in July.”
Finishing behind Deren-Lewis as the 2’6” overall reserve champions were Claire Sears and Catira, owned by Mary Gatti. The pair also earned the 18-35 division championship honors.
The 36–49 champion title went to Martha Price who rode her own Oktoberfest to a tenth-place overall finish.
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