Vivian Yowan believes the 8-year-old gelding is just beginning to show his potential
Vivian Yowan sees a great deal of potential in her partner Succession, owned by Wade Equestrian Farms, LLC, and that potential shone bright on Friday morning as the horse took the win in the $10,000 USHJA 3′ National Open Hunter Derby. At just 8 years old, Succession earned a total score of 177 with Yowan in the irons, capturing the blue ribbon.
“He’s actually a really fun derby horse,” Yowan said of the Oldenburg gelding. “He really likes the handies. He’s really good at turning and he’s super brave. He’s an expert at these classes.”
The competition was fierce among the professionals and their derby mounts, with the final top five placings all scoring within a point of each other. Yowan knew her handy round had to deliver, and that’s exactly what she did.
“I think he’s such a smooth turner; when the turns get tight he’s so slick,” she remarked of what she believes made the difference in their eventual handy round score of 91. “He lands both leads so it’s easy to pick up some points in the handy.”
Though the partnership is still relatively new, with Yowan taking the reins in early 2026, she sees what a promising future Succession has in the derby arena.
“He’s a great horse and he’s a super jumper,” she shared. “He’s extremely brave and he shines in these classes. The Wade Family owns him and I’m lucky to get to show him. He’ll go the route of doing derbies and hopefully Derby Finals.”
Yowan is at the start of her summer venture to Northern Michigan, and she’s already enjoying the competition and also the perks that come along with the horse show.
“This is my first week here and we are here for the next few weeks,” she said. “We come here almost every year and we love it. The weather, the horse show grounds, it’s like a vacation for us to come here.”
For his win in the $10,000 USHJA 3′ National Open Hunter Derby, Succession was named Platinum Performance Horse of the Week. Augusta Iwasaki claimed both second and third in the class, aboard Small Fortune and Ever So Clear, respectively.
Rachel Herkowitz returns to Traverse City and picks up where she left off aboard Harmony
Rachel Herkowitz returned to Traverse City just in time for the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, presented by B&D Builders, and captured her second hunter derby victory of the season aboard Harmony. Among the 31 entries in the $10,000 USHJA 3′ National Jr/Am Hunter Derby presented by Makoto Farms, the pair captured the high score of 188 for the win.
“In this sport it’s about the team behind you and I think I have one of the best teams,” Herkowitz remarked after her win. “I just came in last night so she was all prepped and ready to go with my team at Hillside Farm and my wonderful groom Jenny Prive.”
The lead was hers from the get go, scoring a 95 in her classic round and remaining on top through the rest of the entries before returning for the handy round.
“It was a great classic course,” she said of her first effort. “The horses were able to really flow and it was nice and smooth. It really led to our strengths.”
Coming back for the handy round, Herkowitz and Harmony laid it down and nearly matched her first score, bringing home a 93 and the win.
“She’s got a great spirit and that makes a great horse,” Herkowitz said of her 11-year-old mare. “She’s got a great heart. She was originally a jumper and she likes the lopey flowing strides. She loves her hunter life.”
Herkowitz hails from nearby Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, so she’s able to come in for these special weekend classes. Though she wants to aim Harmony strategically at classes like these throughout the season, she appreciates the opportunity to pick from weekly derby offerings.
“I love the competition,” she continued. “GLEF is when you really see it. We do just a couple of [the derbies] to give her some time off. It’s great atmosphere, great competition, and great weather.”
Herkowitz and Harmony are going to be a pair to contend with as the summer and fall seasons go on, calling Traverse City their home base until the season concludes.
Anna Tyler and Your Welcome BC took second place in the $10,000 USHJA 3′ National Jr/Am Hunter Derby presented by Makoto Farms on a score of 185, while Ella Tarumianz took third aboard Sinatra, with a score of 178.
Costa and MTM Summer Close Out Friday
In the day’s final hunter derby, Georgy Costa guided MTM Summer to victory in the USHJA National 2’6” Junior/Amateur Hunter Derby, presented by Perfect Products. The pair earned scores of 83 and 87 for a winning total of 170.
Costa credited the 7-year-old mare’s relaxed attitude after a week of schooling for the performance.
“I think she was very relaxed after a week of schooling, and she felt comfortable with me on her back,” Costa said.
Having partnered with MTM Summer for the past two years, Costa said the young horse continues to gain confidence and experience with every outing.
“I think she’s gotten more comfortable as I kept on riding her,” she explained. “She has very good intentions. She will never do anything to try to hurt you. She just wants you to be happy on her back.”
Claudia Millstone finished second aboard Cullighan with a score of 167, while Finnleigh Vasquez placed third riding Crystallo C on a total of 161.
Saturday’s competition at GLEF I features the $20,000 Jumper Classic and the $10,000 World Wide Technology Non-Pro Team Jumper Challenge. Fans and competitors can view full schedules, results, and live updates through the Traverse City Horse Shows Mobile App..
