Amanda Steege and Lafitte de Muze Return as Champions of the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show Presented by MARS Equestrian™

The pair repeats last year’s Hunter Derby win.

UPPERVILLE, VA — Amanda Steege and Lafitte de Muze repeated as champions of the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the 172nd Upperville Colt & Horse Show presented by MARS Equestrian™, topping a class of 14 starters with a two-round score of 411. The duo delivered two rounds of their signature elegance and precision Thursday evening beneath the oaks of historic Grafton Farm, thrilling a packed grandstand in one of the show’s spotlight events.

“He is just so special,” said Steege, who has partnered with Cheryl Olsten’s 14-year-old Belgian warmblood gelding for eight years. “He still seems to be getting better, and I don’t know how that’s possible, but this year we have raised our game and have even more confidence than before.”

Fresh off their high-performance hunter championship at the Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania, the pair secured the championship tricolor in the combined 3’9” Green Hunter/High Performance Hunter early in the Upperville show week, winning two of four over fences classes and taking third in the under saddle. In Thursday evening’s derby, Steege and Lafitte delivered a first-round score of 197 points from the judges, and their second round tallied an even more impressive score of 214.

“We’ve had two amazing weeks showing at Upperville and Devon,” Steege continued. “Every round he’s delivered has been extra special; it’s been a dream couple of weeks for us.”

The USHJA International Hunter Derby is designed to showcase the athleticism and brilliance of the show hunter, harkening back to traditional hunt field performance. The Upperville edition is a highlight of derby competition on the East Coast circuit, drawing elite entries from across the nation.

“The derby at Upperville is always special,” UCHS Executive Director Emily Day said. “There’s nothing like showing at Upperville — the atmosphere, the tradition, the crowd. It brings out the best in every rider and horse, and tonight was no exception.”

J.J. Torano and VBK Equine LLC’s Tiara tied with Jennifer Hannan and Stephanie Bulger’s Cellestino for second place on 288 total points, while Kate Conover piloted Martin Schlaeppi’s Aeronautic to fourth place with 385 total points. The $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby is UCHS’s signature hunter class and was sponsored by Eight Oaks, ELM Equestrian, Ocean Echo Farm, Penny Leigh & Dolcetto Farm, and Meadow View Farm.

For full results and livestream access, visit upperville.com.

Sponsors of the 2025 Upperville Colt & Horse Show include presenting sponsor MARS Equestrian™, Ethel M. Chocolates®, Koons Motors, Michael and Wendy Smith, Lugano Diamonds, The Salamander Collection, B&D Builders, Markel Insurance, and Delta Air Lines.

Photos courtesy of the Upperville Colt & Horse Show.

Posted on: June 6, 2025