Jeff Gogul and MTM Concord Glide to Victory in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Presented by Voltaire During Lamplight Spring Spectacular II at HITS Chicago
With summer competition across HITS venues in full swing, Lamplight Spring Spectacular II on June 11-15, 2025, brought another exciting week of sport to HITS Chicago. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, known for its boutique charm, exceptional footing, and welcoming atmosphere, the action-packed week welcomed a strong field of competitors from across the country. Among the featured highlights was the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, presented by Voltaire, the $2,500 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby, and the $35,000 HITS Grand Prix, each drawing impressive talent.
In the hunter ring, Jeff Gogul and MTM Concord topped a competitive field to win the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, presented by Voltaire. The class followed a hunt-and-go format, thoughtfully designed by Janine Weatherby, and was judged by the esteemed panel of Mike Rosser, Fran Dotoli, and Mary Eufemia. Riders first navigated a traditional classic course before immediately continuing into the handy section, where boldness, accuracy, and style took center stage. Ultimately, it was the handy portion of the course that proved decisive in determining the final placings.
Gogul, representing Flagship LLC of Chicago, Illinois, has been developing Annika Ruh’s nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Casino Grande x Cassini I) since the summer of 2024, and recently introduced him to the 3’3” Green Hunters and the derby scene.
“He naturally has such a balanced canter,” explained Gogul of his star mount. “He’s a pretty compact horse and easy to manage, so there were a lot of turns in the handy that really suited him well.
“The hunt-and-go format ended up being a lot of fun,” he added. “MTM Concord has gotten really good at using both of his leads and following you. When you need him to, you can ride him like a little sports car.”
Having recently relocated Flagship’s home base to the Chicago area, HITS Chicago has become something of a hometown venue for Gogul and his team.
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