Abigail Hopkins and Joy Capture $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby at Fieldstone Show Park

Halifax, MA - June 14, 2025 - Abigail Hopkins and Joy rose to the occasion on Saturday afternoon, topping a competitive field in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby 3’0”, sponsored by Dover Saddlery, at Fieldstone Show Park. The pair earned a combined score of 175 across two rounds to take home the blue. Close behind was Cassandra Smith riding Iceman Van De Nethe, who finished on a total of 169 for second place, while Stella Patenaude and Cote D'argent rounded out the podium with a score of 166.

“I was mostly just focused on being as smooth as I could be,” Hopkins shared after the class. “I was lucky to be riding Joy, who is owned by one of our clients. She’s such a cool mare – she’s super stylish, very tight in the air, and I trust her completely. That makes all the difference going into a class like this.”

Abigail Hopkins and Joy

The derby began with the classic round, which offered riders a flowing, forward track with several opportunities to showcase brilliance. The course opened with a high option single, then challenged riders with a bending line that ended in another high option, followed by a second bending line and a traditional outside line. Riders then proceeded directly into the handy round, which demanded precision and adjustability. It began with a high option, continued to a trot fence, a handy rollback, and included another high option across the center of the ring. This gave riders multiple chances to demonstrate handiness and strategic decision-making.

“There were definitely some good opportunities for inside turns, which is something Joy is really great at,” Hopkins explained. “She’s brave, rideable, and really smart with her feet. I knew I could trust her to answer the questions and help me out if I asked for something bold.”

Hopkins has been competing at Fieldstone Show Park since childhood and noted how impressed she is with the facility’s continued development.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and every year they make more upgrades that take it to the next level,” she concluded. “The new Grand Prix ring rides beautifully, and even today, when the weather wasn’t ideal, the footing held up incredibly well. I never once had to second guess going for an inside turn. It gives you so much confidence as a rider to know the footing is going to support your plan.”

As the week winds to a close, anticipation is building for the finale of Fieldstone’s first week of the June series. Sunday’s highlight event, the $20,000 1.30m Grand Prix, promises thrilling competition and a celebratory atmosphere to cap off an exciting week of showing.