Tyler and Shades Of Grey close a standout Traverse City season with her fourth USHJA National Hunter Derby victory of 2026, while championship and classic winners round out the week’s hunter action.
The 2026 season in Traverse City was a strong one for Anna Tyler, who won four National Hunter Derbies and finished her circuit with a final victory during the second week of the Tournament of Champions.
This final win came aboard Shades Of Grey, owned by Fairway Ranch LLC. Scores of 89 and 92 in the hunt-and-go format put her into the top spot against nearly 30 entries, in a field that included some of the top professional hunter riders.
“I had two horses in this class so I had a good setup for the second horse, and she was great,” Tyler said of Shades Of Grey’s performance. “I’ve had her for about a year now. She’s a great handy horse so I got to do one of the inside turns which was pretty tidy.”
She was well rewarded for her handy portion, scoring a 92, the highest score of the class. It was just enough to put her ahead, if only by one point.
Just behind for second place was Elizabeth Rinehart and Soirée, who scored a 180, which was only a point off Tyler’s score. Halie Robinson finished third with Lifestyle.This was Tyler’s fourth win, and she was in the top three countless more times, especially given her deep string of hunter derby rides. She was also awarded the $5,000 Leading Junior Hunter Rider Bonus partway through the season, proving her consistency and showing there was even still more to come.
Sunday’s hunter divisions finished with a bang, with just one week remaining in the Tournament of Champions and the Traverse City season as a whole.
Around the Hunter Rings
Taking championship honors in The James Family Children’s Hunter division was Darby Mullally aboard Glasgow. They won every over-fences class throughout the weekend, as well as the under saddle and the Children’s Hunter Classic. Cora Botke was named reserve champion in the division with Fitzgerald.
In the $1,000 Orvella Junior/Amateur Owner 3’3’’ Hunter Classic, Charlotte Colter and Camelia were the big winners. Alexandria Saint-Dennis and Insta-Graham took second in the Classic, while Alexandra Unzens and Pantalo were third.
Abaigeal Musser and High Style took the win in the $500 Great Lakes Golf Cars Low Adult Hunter Classic with a score of 157. Linda Viens and Elliott were the second-place finishers and Kristen Bell and Harlequin were third.
Just one week remains in the Tournament of Champions, beginning Wednesday, September 16. Highlights include the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup CSI5* – W Traverse City for the American Gold Cup, presented by Frank & Eileen, and the $20,000 Frank & Eileen 3’ Adult Equitation Challenge.
Fans and competitors can view full schedules, results, and live updates through the Traverse City Horse Shows Mobile App.
