Iwasaki continues a strong start to her professional career with first and second-place finishes during GLEF II
Augusta Iwasaki has had some big life changes recently, but something that hasn’t changed is her ability to win. She kept proving herself a winner Friday of GLEF II in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Crooked Willow Farms, as she piloted Charisto, owned by Walkenbach Equestrian LLC, to the win.
“This horse has been really great today and I had so much fun,” Iwasaki said of her outing with Charisto, who she has been riding for only a short time. “We’ve been here a few weeks now so the horses have settled in, and they’re really nice horses so I’m lucky.”
The duo took the high score of 93 in round one, coming back in pole position for the handy round. They laid it down and matched that score, earning another 93 and taking the win on a total score of 186.
“He’s such a nice horse,” Iwasaki said of Charisto, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Casall. “The Walkenbachs own him so we’re very grateful to them for letting us have him here. He’s a great jumper and goes around great.”
Iwasaki also claimed second-place honors aboard Edith, a horse that has already taken podium placings in hunter derby action this summer with Iwasaki. Victoria Colvin placed third with Snoop.
As for Iwasaki’s day to day, she went from full-time student recently to professional rider, back in the saddle competing at a high level almost every day.
“It’s a change; I just graduated college and became a professional so I’m getting used to that,” she remarked. “I’m so grateful for my string of horses, they’ve all been amazing. It’s been a very nice start.”
Though with change comes uncertainty, Iwasaki feels lucky to be part of her family’s business, making the transition that much easier.
“It’s a little scary at first; I really enjoyed school and I had been focusing on that for four years,” she elaborated. “This was a big transition to doing this all the time again. I’m so grateful to my parents. They have an amazing business that’s so fun to be a part of.”
Anna Tyler Takes Three of Top Five in $10,000 USHJA Jr/Am National Hunter Derby
Anna Tyler had a great day Friday of GLEF II, taking three of the top five spots in the $10,000 USHJA Jr/Am National Hunter Derby, securing the win aboard Your Welcome BC.
After consistent top finishes in the class this season, Tyler secured the top spot Friday by stringing together high scores in both rounds, pairing a 93 and a 92 for a combined total of 185.
“He has a great jump and a great personality,” Tyler said of her winning mount Your Welcome BC. “He’s always very competitive so it was fun to go around and have a good time on him. I love a good derby but I have great horses I get to ride so it’s a great opportunity to be here and have fun.”
Tyler also finished second aboard Affirm, scoring a 90 in round one before earning an 88 in the handy round, and ultimately taking the runner-up spot.
“The first trip was really nice,” she said of her two rides. “I like how that ring rides. For the handy I wanted to keep it smooth and nice the whole way around.”
She also placed fifth aboard Calle Cool, making for a great day of competition for Tyler.
Claudia Millstone Makes Winning Memories with Cullighan in Traverse City
In the $2,500 2’6” USHJA National Jr/Am Hunter Derby Presented by Fairway Farm, Claudia Millstone took one of the biggest wins of her riding career aboard Cullighan. Their fan section erupted over their win, celebrating and encouraging them in the prizegiving.
“He has a great cheering squad and he’s such a good guy,” Millstone said of Cullighan, a 14-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Diamant de Semilly. “I’ve had him for almost five years, and my trainer, [Tiffany Morrissey], has won multiple derbies on him but this was our first win. It was very exciting.”
Their scores maintained consistency across the board, which ultimately led them to their win. Millstone credits Cullighan’s easygoing attitude for much of their success Friday.
“He is just such a good guy; no matter what you do he always wants to do his best,” she shared. “He’s got the best brain, he doesn’t spook at anything. He really is perfect so I’m very lucky.”
The win was one that will be stored in Millstone’s memory bank for the rest of her life.
“It means the whole world,” she concluded. “Really a great memory and I’m so grateful for my trainer Tiffany [Morrissey] and everything that East Wind Farm does for us. This is everything. I think I’ll smile for the next year.”
Breda Campbell took second place in the USHJA National 2’6” Jr/Am Hunter Derby aboard Heartfirst, and Diane Sheets was third with Dextrous Dutch.
To conclude hunter derby action, Camille Aochi took top honors in the 2’-2’3” Traverse City Jr/Am Hunter Derby aboard Midnight Muse. Sabrina Hammerschlag followed closely behind for second-place honors with Candyland, and Susan Sullivan was third with Sea Glass.
Saturday of GLEF II features the $20,000 1.40m-1.45m Jumper Classic, followed by a course reset for the evening’s feature, the $100,000 World Championship Hunter Rider Central Spectacular, presented by Frank & Eileen. Fans and competitors can view full schedules, results, and live updates through the Traverse City Horse Shows Mobile App.
