Iwasaki Wins USHJA National 3' Amateur Hunter Derby
SMU student excels in Ocala with her horse Honey
March 24, 2025 at 2:19 PMBy b.wehner
In Ocala, Florida, Augusta Iwasaki and her 12-year-old Hanoverian mare, Small Love, known as "Honey," triumphed in the $37,500 USHJA National 3’ Amateur Hunter Derby, competing against 27 other participants. Iwasaki, who is a student at Southern Methodist University, utilized her spring break effectively, delivering two commendable rounds that led to her victory. Iwasaki and Honey began with a flawless first round, achieving a score of 189, which included 93 and 96 from the judges, placing them ahead before the second phase.
During the handy round, while other competitors opted for tighter turns around obstacles, Iwasaki maintained a cautious approach, which resulted in a second-round score of 178. This brought her total score to 367, securing her position at the top of the leaderboard. With her spring break ride ending in triumph, Iwasaki has proven that a thoughtful game plan and a trusty partner can go a long way on the derby field—even when you’re juggling collegiate commitments.
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