Susan Lyman and IfWhizkyCouldTalk Top $20,000 Thoroughbred Hunter Derby at Middleburg Classic Horse Show | | |
Upperville, Va. – September 17, 2026 – Thoroughbreds took center stage on Thursday afternoon as a large crowd gathered at the Middleburg Classic Horse Show for the $20,000 Thoroughbred Hunter Derby, sponsored by Winchester Feed, Machmer Hall and The Green Group. Executing a brilliant handy round, IfWhizkyCouldTalk topped the day’s leaderboard with Susan Lyman in the irons. They were just one point ahead of second-place finishers Katherine Van Der Rest and Whisky Chaser, while the third-place award went to Marissa Cohen aboard Mai Tai.
“I just wanted to be the handiest one,” smiled Lyman after her victory. “I knew I could do it on that horse because he's quite handy. We did all the inside turns, and he was great – he was right with me the whole time.”
| | Susan Lyman and IfWhizkyCouldTalk. Photos by: Erin Gilmore Photography | | The competition got underway at 4 pm and also featured a spectator party sponsored by Diana Cummings, Elizabeth Wiley, Hogan Horse Transport, James Piper, and Gina Cotto. A large crowd gathered to watch as 26 entries were narrowed down to 12 to return for the handy. The handy round, designed by Alan Lohman, featured four high options, including the first fence, which was a short approach vertical away from the gate. Riders then made a rollback to the next vertical and another rollback to the in-and-out. The course also featured a trot jump and a long hand gallop to one of the last oxers before another rollback to the final vertical away from the gate. | Marissa Cohen and Mai Tai | | Returning in reverse order, Cohen and Mai Tai were ranked third after the first round, having earned a score of 85, and they showcased their consistency by earning an 86 in the handy round for a total score of 171 to retain the third-place honors. Lyman was next with IfWhizkyCouldTalk, and knew she would need to lay it all on the line to earn the win. Showcasing her mount’s ability to take the inside turns and jumping brilliantly over all of the fences, the duo earned a 90 in the handy. It was combined with their score of 88 from the first round for a total score of 178. Van Der Rest and Whisky Chaser earned a 90 in the first round and tried to beat Lyman’s handy score, and while their round was beautiful, their score of 87 would rank them second by just one point, as Lyman returned to lead the lap of honor. | | Katherine Van Der Rest and Whisky Chaser | | Lyman began riding IfWhizkyCouldTalk, a 7-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, for owner Catherine Brown three years ago. “I knew he was a nice horse, but he kept exceeding my expectations all the way along. He was champion here the first time he did the Green 3’ Hunters. He is brave, and he's quiet – he's the best-minded Thoroughbred. People have the wrong idea about Thoroughbreds – when you find one with a good mind, they're easy.” | Susan Lyman and IfWhizkyCouldTalk | | At the conclusion of the derby, the winners of the $7,500 Triple Crown Challenge were announced, recognizing the Thoroughbreds with the highest cumulative scores from the derbies at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show, Warrenton Horse Show and Middleburg Classic Horse Show. The High Score horse was Comin’ Back with Madison Barnett, while Van Der Rest and Whisky Chaser won the High Score Amateur Award, and Caden Nolt and Gio Lemon won the High Score Junior Award. The awards and prizes for Thursday’s competition were generously donated by Jennifer Oliver of Equine Insurance Specialists. | | Madison Barnett and Comin’ Back | | |
The series was one of the major initiatives of the newly revived USHJA Thoroughbred Task Force, and as a member of the task force, Lyman has been thrilled with the success of the inaugural year.
“I've always loved Thoroughbred horses, and I never gave up on them,” she concluded. “Upperville was such a surprise – it was like a Disney movie. The weather was perfect, and all these people showed up. Everyone was so thankful that it was happening. It had the biggest crowd, and it really helped get our program pushed forward because it proved that there was a real need for it. It helps a lot of people who can't afford a big, fancy warmblood. It gives them a place to show at good horse shows, with good judges, good footing, and good organization.”
The Middleburg Classic Horse Show will continue throughout the weekend, featuring the $5,000 Middleburg Classic 3’ Derby, sponsored by Molly & Clarke Ohrstrom, on Friday afternoon and the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Laura Karet & Glade Run Farm, on Saturday afternoon. For more information, please visit MiddleburgClassic.com
| | Watch Susan Lyman and IfWhizkyCouldTalk's winning round | | Marketing and Media Brought to you by | | | | |
