Louise Serio and El Primero Top $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

24 May 2016

North Salem, New York – Louise Serio of Kennett Square, PA, piloted El Primero to top call in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family, on Saturday at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running through May 22 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Highlighting competition on the Grand Prix Field, Lucy Deslauriers (USA) and Lisa Deslauriers’ Hester captured the $15,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by T & R Development.

Serio and El Primero, owned by Bryan Baldwin and Meralex Farm, were the ones to beat in the first round of derby competition. They bested a field of 28 with a total score of 183.5 before returning with the top 12 for a handy round built by course designer Kevin Giblin of Spring Lake, NJ. El Primero, a seven-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Numero Uno, bested his own first-round score over the second-round handy track, scoring a 189.5 for a two-round total of 373 and the win for Serio.

Originally the ride of Sandy Ferrell, El Primero was imported from Stal Hendrix in the Netherlands and got his start in the hunter ring in January of 2015. After an injury sidelined Ferrell from the show ring during the 2016 winter season, Serio took over the reins on the horse known as “Primo” around the barn.

“He’s a dream to ride,” said Serio. “He’s really responsive; he can lengthen and shorten his stride easily. He’s one of the most adjustable horses I’ve ever ridden and so light in his mouth. He’s a lovely ride.”

After impressing at the 2015 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships with Ferrell in the tack, El Primero has proved that he has the scope to turn heads in the hunter ring. But, according to Serio, he also has the rideability and style to complete the package.

Source: Old Salem Farm