Thermal, CA – January 24, 2025 – Dustin Goodwin and Reputation have notched an impressive list of hunter derby wins already this 2024-2025 Desert International Horse Park season, and on Friday, January 24, they added another victory to their growing resume.
This time, Goodwin piloted Reputation to the top honor in the $40,000 USHJA International Hunt & Go Derby, sponsored by Perfect Products, at Desert Circuit 3, presented by American Wild Horse Conservation.
“She has just turned out to be a phenomenal horse for me!” said Goodwin of Reputation, the 11-year-old Holsteiner mare, owned by Kalli Heffner Gay, that Goodwin has been partnered with for just over a year. “I’m just so, so happy with her and feel very lucky to be her partner. She is so game, and she really loves to win. She’s a little unorthodox in certain ways, but her things kind of match up with my things because I have my own things too! We seem to balance each other out, and I’ve been just blown away by how consistent she’s been.”
Reputation – or “Poppy” as she is known in the barn – showed that consistency again on Friday afternoon, earning a score of 94 over the classic portion of the course and an 88 for the handy section. While they took the win with an overall score of 182, second place with a score of 180.5 (91 + 89.5) went to Sarah Moberg and Caramba, owned by Lee Sickel. Third place went to Mark Kinsella and Teddi Mellencamp’s Totally with scores of 86 and 90 for 176 total.
“It was great; I actually have been dealing with a bit of an injury myself this week,” explained Goodwin. “So, I haven’t ridden really all week, but I wanted to do this class obviously because it’s just such a good class for her, and she’s so competitive. I was very happy when it became a hunt & go because I was like, ‘I think I can hold it together and make it through one round!’ I wasn’t so sure about two. I thought it was a great course. It suited her really well, and I thought she was great.”
Reputation will now enjoy a week off before Desert Circuit 5, where World Championship Hunter Rider competition takes center stage.
“I will probably do the Green 3’9” division [Week 5],” concluded Goodwin. “She hasn’t really been doing any divisions, just kind of prepping for the derbies, but that’s in the grand prix ring, so that will be a fun thing to do! I also want to spend as much time in there as possible before Week 10 when we do the $100,000 [WCHR Hunter] Spectacular which is a big moment – hopefully a good one!”
In addition to earning Friday’s win, Goodwin coached Olivia Aul to the High Score Junior award, as she rode Cheers! to a 12th-place finish in the class. Taking home the top U25 rider award, sponsored by The Surrey, was Skylar Wireman aboard Boston. For full results of the $40,000 USHJA International Hunt & Go Derby, sponsored by Perfect Products, click here.
