Keirstin Scott Repeats 1-2 Performance in $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at Saratoga Summer Celebration

The Saratoga Summer Celebration wrapped up competition on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY. The new four-day Wednesday to Saturday format without competition on Sunday was a hit with exhibitors. The highlight class of the week was the $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Keirstin Scott of North Salem, NY, repeated her performance from the June Classic II show by finishing first and second, but swapped the placings of her horses. This time, Hannah Scheuer’s Copacabana came away with the win, while In The Moment, owned by Elizabeth T. Clark, finished second.

“I was very fortunate because I had four to ride in the derby,” said Scott. “Copacabana was first in the order, and she's a little bit more seasoned. It was nice to have a horse that I knew and trusted to go in there and do it first, and she went beautifully. The judges rewarded her with a 90. I thought the course was laid out really nicely.”

Scott has had the ride on “CC” since Scheuer moved to New York from the West Coast, where they trained with Corey Smith at Archway Equestrian.

“CC is reliable and super straightforward,” said Scott of the 12-year-old Holsteiner mare by Cassini I. “She's one of the bravest horses I've ever ridden. Hannah loves to see her in classes with me, which is so nice because I have a seasoned horse that I can show.”

Scheuer, who had her second child six months ago, was ecstatic with CC’s win. “Hannah couldn’t be here because of work, but she was so proud of her horse,” expressed Scott. “It's really nice to make somebody feel so good on top of having fun doing it.”

In The Moment has been under Scott’s saddle since the fall of 2025, but the young horse has stepped up and exceeded expectations.

“He’s a true show horse,” described Scott. “At home, he's a little cheeky and funny, and then he gets to the horse show, and he is all business. He's seven years old, but when I go in the handy rounds, I don't ride him like a young horse. I sometimes feel with him that the harder you make it, the more he shines. I think he likes the challenge and is a little bit more brilliant because of that.”

Sara Taylor picked up third and fourth places on Never Better, owned by Anne Keesler, and To The Moon, owned by Stephanie Danhakl.

The Saratoga Horse Shows return with rated competition on August 6-9 with the Saratoga Summer Special and USHJA Outreach Festival, followed by the Saratoga Summer Show and USHJA Zone 2 Finals on August 12-16.