Gladstone, NJ – August 18, 2016 – Thursday was Derby Day at Monmouth at the Team with the $10,000 Monmouth at the Team Hunter Derby. The derby offered heights of 2’, 2’6” and 3’ with a Beval saddle awarded to the winner. Exhibitors and spectators enjoyed the derby as well as an evening of local New Jersey sustainable food hosted by The Nature Conservancy in the hospitality tent.

Margot E. Peroni and her own Orlon, a 7-year-old German Sporthorse gelding, competing at the three-foot height, led the field in the hunter derby from beginning to end. The pair had a stellar first round score of 88 over the Skip Bailey designed course. They followed it up with a handy round score of 85 to clinch the win with a total score of 173 points.

Peroni was happy with her ride in the first round. “The course was great,” she said. “We had really solid warm-up rounds in the Adult Hunters this morning. I kept a forward rhythm and the course rode beautifully. I had planned in the second round to play it a little safe, but after I heard Libby’s nice score from going inside I knew I was going to have to step it up a little bit, so we went for it. He’s always there and he’s always game and he made it happen.”

The pair are no strangers to the winners circle having won the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final at Saugerties in 2015. However, for Peroni, every win is special especially with Orlon. “It’s always exciting,” she smiled. “Every win with this horse is special. I got him as a 2-year-old. We broke him and brought him along ourselves. To do it here at the Team is amazing. What a cool place to get to show.”

Peroni was thrilled with her experience thus far at Monmouth at the Team. “This is so great, she said. “They do such a nice job with the hospitality tent and the facility is beautiful, it’s historic. Michael and Tucker are amazing hosts and just great guys, and they do a really nice job. We are definitely going to be back next year.”

Second place went to Libby Shea Dayton and Silverstone, competing at the three-foot height. The pair sat in sixth place after the first round with a score of 83. They moved up to claim second place with an impressive handy round score of 88 for a total score of 171 points.

Rounding out the top three was Michael Meyers and Buckingham, a 5-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Windham Hill LLC. The pair was competing at the two-foot-six height. They stood in fourth place after the first round with a score of 84 and moved up after a handy round score of 86 for a total of 170 points.

Mike Rosser and Mike Maxwell judged Thursday’s Hunter Derby. Maxwell was pleased with the evening’s competition and shed some light on what the judges were looking for in the final round. “We rewarded the horses that really went for it,” Maxwell said. “Especially in the handy round, the ones that did a little galloping.”

Maxwell had a long history with the Monmouth County Horse Show and it was an honor to have him judge the inaugural Monmouth at the Team Hunter Derby. Maxwell was pleased with the new incarnation of the horse show.

“I am thrilled to see that it’s such a success,” he said. “They have done a wonderful job here. It’s beautiful with a great turnout. I am absolutely thrilled for them. It was time for a change and this was the right time and the right move. Tucker and Michael have done a superb job, so kudos to them.”

Devon Thomas and her own Cordino, a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding were the big winners in the morning equitation classes. Thomas claimed the top spot in the NJPHA Children’s Eq/NJHSA Bronze Medal, The Sore No More Children’s Medal/NJPHA Mini Medal, and the NJHSA Mini Maclay classes as well as the equitation championship. Thomas was happy with her rides on Thursday. “The other day was not our best,” Thomas said. “I have been trying to qualify for Marshall and Sterling Finals. Today, I think I made it.”

Cordino is a new mount for Thomas, the pair have only been together for a few months but clearly the partnership is a solid one already. “He was an old grand prix horse,” Thomas said. “He likes to do his own thing and all the turns are really simple for him.” Thomas enjoys the challenge she finds in the equitation classes. “I like the testing and the challenge of it,” she said “I prefer it over the hunters because it focuses on the rider.”

Competition will continue Friday with the jumpers getting their turn in the ring. Highlights Friday include the 1.25m Welcome Stake. Additional highlights during the week include Sunday’s $10,000 1.30m Horseflight Mini-Prix. Throughout the week, sponsors, exhibitors and spectators can enjoy wonderful hospitality. For additional information please visit www.monmouthattheteam.com.