Caroline Russell Howe's Caramo won the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Friday night with High Performance Hunter Rider, Harold Chopping (Flashpoint Photography)

Conyers, Ga. - Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina made his way to the winner's circle in the irons of Caroline Russell Howe's 12 year old Danish gelding, Caramo.  The pair turned in a strong Classic Hunter Round with a score of 183 and a score of 180 for the Handy round.  Their combined overall score of 363 would give them the coveted win.   "I'm really pleased he's become such a pro at this," commented Chopping.  "He's very easy to ride, super brave and so the night classes in the stadium suit him perfectly," he added.

"We don't horse show as much as others.  I think our schedule suits him and it keeps him fresh.   We didn't do any Derbies this winter and already he has won the last four of the five Derbies," Chopping added.

Second place was awarded to CDS Stables' Sister Act, ridden by Daniel Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina.  The pair turned in a combined overall score of 350.  Timothy Maddrix of Birmingham, Alabama rode to third place aboard Claudia Styslinger's Elouise with a combined score of 347.5. North C, owned and ridden by Jaime Steinhaus of Atlanta, Georgia, finished in fourth after turning in a combined score of 339.  Lynn Seithel's Lordano, ridden by Ashton Alexander of Ocala, Florida finished in fifth; the pair turned in an overall score of 336.5.  Alexander also finished in sixth place, this time in the irons of Julian, owned by Amanda Foard.  The pair turned in an overall score of 331. Metternich, owned by Karen King and ridden by Laureen McKenzie of Tulsa, Oklahoma, finished in seventh place after posting an overall score of 315.  Eighth place was awarded to Labrinth, owned by Donald Stewart and also ridden by Alexander.  The pair turned in an overall score of 306.  Special, owned by Missy Nolen and ridden by Maddrix, finished in ninth place overall with a score of 289.  For complete results, click here. 

Caramo, or "Mo" as he is called in the barn, was purchased by Howe as a six year old and she showed him herself in the Adult Hunters.   Chopping has been riding Mo for three years and only jumping the derbies for the last two years.

"He's very solid and is the same horse every time," commented Chopping, "He makes my job easy as can be," he added.

Howe is thrilled that he has been so successful in the Derbies. "Our plan is that he should do enough classes so he's ready for Kentucky.  Beyond this year, I plan on picking certain derbies and looking to get good results in some of the real big prestigious ones," said Chopping.  "Focusing on the Derby Finals and not overworking or over showing also lends itself to our success," said Chopping.

Chopping and his barn, Solo Show Stables enjoyed their week at the Atlanta Summer Classic.  "My pre green won the classic and our adult jumpers are doing well," said Chopping.  "I have a long time client, Kirsten Tillotson, riding her new horse in the Adult jumpers.  I have a new client Tyler Bunn horse showing with us for the first and I have a grand prix horse who is absolutely spectacular and has a lot of talent," he added.