Julie Curtin and Fabrege (Flashpoint Photography)

Johns Island, South Carolina. - Forty-six horse and rider teams went on the hunt for the win in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby presented by Contender Boats Wednesday night before a sold out VIP party sponsored by Seithel Law Firm, LLC. 

Julie Curtin of Roswell, Georgia had the honors of turning in the top two round in the class and secured first and second place with Fabrege, owned by Sara Stephens and Ramano, owned by Patricia Husted, respectively. Fabrege and Curtin were third in last week's class of more than 40.

Jordan Gilchrist of Flower Mound, Texas, also continued her winning streak when she rode Mary Easterwood's Lavasco to a third place finish. Gilchrist won the $5,000 Open Welcome Wednesday evening which also happened to be her birthday.

Emily Hertz of Eads, Tennessee in the irons of David Pelllegrini's Outspoken, came in fourth and Cathartic, owned and ridden by Ashley Hixon of San Antonio, Texas came in fifth place.  Katie Jones of Alpharetta, Georgia rode Barbara Britt's Rio Viva to a sixth place finish.  Carlos Aramburo rode Ellen Herrington's Belvedere to a seventh place finish overall and Curtin returned in eighth place, this time in the irons of Michelle Hegarty's Promise.  Madison Johnson of Matthews, North Carolina rode her own Ferrarri to a ninth place finish and tenth place saw Lynn Seithel of John's Island, South Carolina aboard her own Versace.  Whitney Owens of San Antonio, Texas rode DS Holdings, LLC's DSH Anka to 11th place and Madison Games of Silex, Missouri rode her own Gigi to the twelfth place finish.