Lexi Karoyli Captures Victory in $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open
Lexi Karolyi came out strong during her first derby of the winter season at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP). In Friday’s $10,000 Platinum Performance USHJA National Hunter Derby – Open during Desert Circuit I, she took the top call aboard C’Est Jolie, owned by B R Farms LLC.
Her score of 90 was what set her apart just enough in the handy round. Combined with a first-round score of 87, her total score of 177 sealed the deal.
Lexi Karolyi and C’Est Jolie, pictured with Carleton and Traci Brooks. Photo by High Desert Sport Photo
“The handy round was directly to an oxer on my right lead and I wanted to make sure I showed some pace and it came up nicely especially for the inside turn afterwards,” Karolyi explained of her plan. “It was my first class on the mare. She followed me right to fence two, and galloped up, really following me nicely to the in-and-out. She was just super handy and she was really nice to ride.”
Despite a new partnership with the 11-year-old Westphalian mare, Karolyi hit her stride and impressed the judges every step of the way through Friday’s class.
“So my first time riding her was on Tuesday, and this was actually my first class on her,” Karolyi continued. “I came in last minute to help Carleton a little bit this week. During round one, I got to know her a little bit, then I figured her out and trusted her round two. The first round I tried to ride her a little more, and then in the second round I figured out she knows what she’s doing so I just let her do it herself the second round.”
Overall, the horse was consistent and impressed the judges easily, making Karolyi’s job easier, in her opinion. “She has a beautiful stride, she has a beautiful expression, and she jumps super well,” she said of C’Est Jolie.
Alexis Taylor captured second place aboard Timeless Romance, owned by Katherine Martell, just one point behind the ultimate champion, while Skylar Wireman and Nick Haness’s Clarino took third, only one-half of a point behind that.
Read more:
