In her first season as a professional, Augusta Iwasaki pilots 7-year-old Small Fortune to the win in International Hunter Derby action at GLEF IV
Augusta Iwasaki accomplished a new milestone Friday night in Traverse City: her first International Hunter Derby win as a professional rider. With no shortage of victories in her junior and amateur years, Iwasaki did what she does best, claiming top honors with Small Fortune in the $25,000 Platinum Performance USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Copper Fox, during week four of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders.
“That was so awesome,” Iwasaki said after her win. “We’re gearing up for the Derby Finals in a few weeks and I’m just so happy with my horse. We call him Clover in the barn. We’ve had him for a year now and he’s become such an amazing derby horse. I’m so excited.”
There was quite a bit to be excited about as Iwasaki accepted awards with Elizabeth Reilly’s 7-year-old Belgian Warmblood (Diamant de Semilly x Quidam de Revel). The pair rode to a score of 91 in the classic portion and 98 in the handy portion of the hunt-and-go format, for a total score of 189.
Phil DeVita built an impressive course for the occasion, spanning the entirety of the arena and presenting four high options for riders to add extra points to their scores. Riders took on the first half as a classic hunter derby course, then switched into handy mode for the back half of the track to impress the judges and earn additional handy points.
Iwasaki and Small Fortune had already come close to the top of the podium during the Traverse City Spring Series, placing third. Iwasaki believed in the horse and knew its time would come, and that belief carried them Friday to a nearly flawless round.
“It’s so exciting; we’ve had a really good season so far here,” she continued. “It’s been a while since I’ve won a derby and he was so amazing. I’m so happy with him. Usually, I like coming back for a handy round but I ended up really liking [this format]. The course rode really beautifully and my horse loved it too.”
Iwasaki has been in the top spot many times before and knows the pressure of maintaining it as a class runs its course. She didn’t let the stress get to her and felt confident in what they put out there, knowing they’d still take a top placing regardless.
“Honestly, I was trying not to worry about it,” Iwasaki remarked of having to wait to see if she’d end up on top. “We touched the two high option oxers so I knew if somebody had a similar round but didn’t touch those then that’s totally fine, because I was so happy with him and our round.”
Traverse City Horse Shows hosts several feature hunter classes in the evenings throughout the season, taking full advantage of the long summer daylight hours and making the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring a different backdrop and bigger stage for hunters. While many may have to adapt their training and approaches for special classes like these, Iwasaki knew she could rely on Small Fortune, as well as her two other rides in the class, to come out unfazed.
“I always love doing an evening class on my hunters,” she continued. “They usually perform so well in a class like this. I just plan everything a little later. We rode them around three o’clock. I’m really lucky; all my horses are really brave and rise to the occasion.”
Jef Lauwers placed second in the class aboard Julia Sand’s entry Hallpass, earning a score of 185.5, while Courtney Lenkart and Allegretto, owned by Lori Mathews, finished in third on a score of 182.5.
Hunter Highlights Continue in Traverse City
Herkowitz claims another derby victory while week four hunter leaderboard bonuses are presented.
Rachel Herkowitz keeps finding her stride with Harmony, winning their third USHJA Jr/Am National Hunter Derby of the season in Traverse City. On Friday, they earned sky-high scores to carry them to victory in the $10,000 USHJA Jr/Am National Hunter Derby, presented by Gene & Georgetti.
“I’m feeling great,” Herkowitz said of this win and her incredible season so far. “I think it’s just the great team behind me – Hillside Farm and Heather Irvine. It’s good preparation, focus, confidence, and Harmony is feeling great, so everything just comes together and we roll with it.”
In the first round, the duo came in on a mission, and the course was suited for Harmony’s large stride and open rhythm. The judges awarded the pair a 92.
“It was a great first classic course because you could flow,” she explained of round one, in which she captured the second-highest score. “It had really great bending lines that were longer in stride so you could really show the horses off. It was a great course to show our strengths.”
Returning second to last for the handy round, Herkowitz knew she could really show off with her partner Harmony, an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare.
“The handy was great,” she went on. “Tight turns, I love a trot jump, and she’s awesome at inside turns being a former jumper; she loves it. She thrives in that handy environment.”
Their handy-round score of 93 propelled them to the top of the leaderboard, where they remained as the last pair went.
Second-place honors went to Anna Tyler and Your Welcome BC, just two points off the leading score. Elise Iafrate scored third place with Nabisco.
Makoto Farm, Zoology Foundation, and Brookside Pine Farms Recognize Leading Hunter Riders
Herkowitz earned another honor Friday, claiming the $5,000 Leading Adult-Amateur Hunter Rider Bonus, sponsored by Makoto Farm, Zoology Foundation, and Brookside Pine Farms, after earning $9,000 in prize money with Harmony this season in Traverse City.
But the season isn’t over for this pair, and Herkowitz has a great attitude heading into the final weeks of summer and looking ahead to the fall.
“[My goals are] just to keep staying consistent and confident and most importantly have fun,” she shared. “I’m grateful for the horse show – this is my happy place.”
Anna Tyler took home the $5,000 Leading Junior Hunter Rider Bonus, sponsored by Makoto Farm, Zoology Foundation, and Brookside Pine Farms, for her performance so far this season with Affirm, taking home $7,600 in prize money throughout the events they’ve competed in. Tyler has produced top results with multiple horses in hunter derby action, but the majority of her earnings have come aboard Affirm, showing consistency and quality across the weeks of competition.
Finally, after countless top placings in hunter action this season, Augusta Iwasaki was named $5,000 Leading Professional Hunter Rider Bonus winner, sponsored by Makoto Farm, Zoology Foundation, and Brookside Pine Farms, for her results with Ever So Clear, amassing $5,644.45 in prize money at this point in the season in Traverse City.
Saturday hosts the $116,500 B&D Builders CSIO3* Grand Prix in the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel International Ring, as well as the $10,000 World Wide Technologies Non Pro Team Jumper Challenge.Fans and competitors can view full schedules, results, and live updates through the Traverse City Horse Shows Mobile App.
