Jordan Lubow and Faith Schuttemeyer Top $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derbies at Bluegrass Classic

Lexington, KY – August 17, 2025 – Hunter action continued on Sunday during the Bluegrass Classic Horse Show as professional and junior/amateur riders gathered to compete in the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby and $5,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby in the Alltech Arena. Jordan Lubow showed the way in the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby with Emerald Silver, while Faith Schuttemeyer and Patronus scored the top honors in the $5,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby.

“This was actually a last-minute decision,” noted Lubow after her win. “We were here for the Incentive and he was reserve champion in the 3’3” greens. We were talking about the Young Hunters and the Greens for the National Horse Show, so we decided while we’re here, we might as well do the derby in the Alltech. We were super proud of him in the Incentive, but to be able to end our week here with a win in the derby is awesome!”

The courses for Sunday’s highlight events were designed by Jasen Shelley. The welcoming first round allowed riders to showcase their horses’ brilliance over the fences. The handy round included four high options, several inside rollback options and an in-and-out as riders tried to impress the judges and land on the top of the leaderboard.

During the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, Lubow was ranked second headed into the handy round after earning a 90 in the first round. Smooth inside turns and a beautiful effort over each fence was enough to earn a second score of 90, moving them to the top of the standings with a combined score of 180. They were just ahead of second-place finishers Tiffany Cambria and Not To Worry, who earned a score of 178. Following just behind the leaders was Evan Coluccio with Showcase, earning a score of 176.5 for third place.

Lubow was thrilled with Emerald Silver, a 7-year-old Oldenburg stallion owned by Opening Bell Sporthorses, that Lubow began riding just over two years ago. “He is absolutely incredible to ride,” she smiled. “As beautiful as his canter looks – that’s what it feels like. The jumps come up, he gives you this nice, beautiful effort over the jumps – everything just feels smooth with him.”

During the $5,000 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby, where riders competed over the same courses as they vied for the top honors, Faith Schuttemeyer piloted Patronus to scores of 90.5 and 92, for a total score of 182.5. Luciana Gonzalez So was close behind her for second place with Springsteen, receiving scores of 90 and 90.5. The third-place award went to Madison Ramsey and MTM Enchanted after they earned scores of 92 and 88.

Schuttemeyer began riding Patronus at the end of the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival, and while he normally shows in the equitation, Schuttemeyer used the 11-year-old Holsteiners gelding’s skills to make smooth inside turns during the handy. “He was really good and followed me everywhere,” she smiled. “He’s really soft, so as long as I just stay soft and go with him, he is pretty good.”

Competition during the Bluegrass Festival has come to a close, but hunter/jumper action will continue next week at the Kentucky Horse Park during the KHJA Horse Show. Feature events will include the $30,000 KHJA Grand Prix, $15,000 KHJA Welcome Stake and $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.