Lexington, KY – May 11, 2025 – World Champion Hunter Rider week at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show came to a close with the biggest event of the week in the Stonelea Ring. Top horses and riders gathered to showcase their skills during the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by All Bizness Insurance, on Sunday morning. Hayley Barnhill proved that Axel had all the brilliance to be the best, topping the leaderboard with a score of 375. Madison Stewart took home second with two beautiful rounds aboard Small Kingdom, while Erica Quinn and Small Promise claimed the third-place honors.
“It’s super exciting to win today,” expressed Barnhill after leading the lap of honor. “Axel belongs to a junior hunter rider of Cara Cheska, and this is the second derby I’ve done on him. We always thought he’d be really good at it. He was super in the last one, and today he came out like a professional derby horse.”
Hayley Barnhill & Axel
The day began with the classic round, which included a natural split rail fence, an in-and-out and a three high options. Riders then returned for the handy round where they could showcase their mounts. Riders cantered directly to one of the high option oxers and continued with a high option oxer near the gate. They then trotted a natural log fence and finished with the in-and-out.
After a smooth and flowing classic round, Barnhill was the last to return for the handy round, leading the class with a score of 181 with Axel, a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Isa Johnson. They were able to take the inside options and make very handy turns to finish with two scores in the 90s, and returned to the ring to accept the winning honors at the end of the class.
“Axel is so scopey – the jumps are so easy for him,” explained Barnhill. “It’s nice in the derbies with the bigger jumps, a little more impressive – he rises to the occasion. I knew that I did not need to do anything too risky during the handy, so I stuck to my plan and it worked out. If you stay out of his way and let him do it, then he’ll give you everything.”
The team is now aiming for the 2025 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals in August, which will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park once again. Barnhill has been competing at the incredible venue for many years, and was happy to be back, concluding, “It feels like home, everybody’s friendly. The Horse Park is beautiful. They do a great job, so it’s always nice to be back.”
Madison Stewart & Small Kingdom
With an inside turn to the trot jump, the second-place prize went to Madison Stewart and Small Kingdom. Erica Quinn rounded out the podium, claiming third place with Small Kingdom for owner Elle Gibbs on Sunday morning.
Erica Quinn & Small Promise
Hunter competition will continue during next week’s Kentucky Spring Classic. Highlight events will include the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby and $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby. For more information on Kentucky Horse Shows LLC and the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.