Isop Braves the Rain for Impressive Derby Performances, Morera and Symbolique Clinch Grand Champion at 2025 Saratoga Women In Business Spectacular

Hannah Isop persevered through inclement conditions to place three horses in the top four in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Saratoga Women In Business (WIB) Spectacular. Later in the day, Erin Morera and Symbolique, owned by Morera Equine LLC, were honored as the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champions. The Saratoga WIB Spectacular hosts a week full of exciting events and stellar competition through Sunday, July 14, including World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) qualifying and educational opportunities.

The Saratoga WIB Spectacular, held at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY, is the first-ever horse show created by women, operated by women, benefitting women’s health, and showcasing businesswomen throughout the equestrian industry and beyond.

Following the first round of the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, the rings were put on hold due to a thunderstorm rolling through the area. The lightning and thunder passed and as Isop entered the ring for the second round, heavy rain began to fall again. The rain continued to pour through all three of her rides, but Isop relied on her partnerships to persevere and succeed.

Isop won the derby on Selene, owned by Christine Watkins, with scores of 172 and 193 for a total of 365. Isop has had the ride on the 10-year-old Westphalian mare by Cellestial x Stakkato for a year and a half when Watkins purchased her to replace Isop’s top mount Red Ryder, the horse she rode to the reserve championship in the 2022 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships. They have been competing in the Green Hunters 3’9” and the derbies.

“I couldn't be more thrilled with her,” said Isop. “I think she’s just as special as Red Ryder. She really gives you the feeling that you can do anything. Saying that, I had a little bit of a rider error in round one, which I was mad at myself about, because I thought she went brilliantly. I was really happy how she came back in the second round. It was literally in the pouring rain I don't think I've shown any of them in rain like that!”

Lioness came out with a roar in round one, scoring 178. The eight-year-old KWPN mare by Impressive VDL x Voltaire started her hunter career this past winter, but the “extremely brave, very scopey, big-strided” horse has taken to the division and the derbies easily. Following Lioness in third place were Robert Lee and Bosun, owned by Brook Run Farm LLC, who scored 179 for a round one win and 174 in round two for a 353 total.

“I felt very good in the tack with Braven and Selene, but by the third horse in the rain, with something on my saddle or my breeches I was slipping and sliding,” exclaimed Isop, who was able to improve her score with Lioness despite the rain in round two to 181 for a 359 total. “Lioness was what you hope for in a horse. She stepped up for me because I was just holding on to the braids trying to stay in the saddle.”

Isop rode Braven first in the second round when the weather was still relatively peaceful, and they added a score of 171 to their first round of 176.5 for a 347.5 total and fourth place. Isop and Tracy Freels found Braven, now an eight-year-old gelding by Verdi, when it was three years old in the Czech Republic.

“With the prices and how things are, it's a lot to carry and to have a horse,” noted Isop. “In my opinion, it's getting harder and harder, but we try. That's why, like with Braven, we bought as a three-year-old. We hope that they can step up, and we are lucky he really has.”

Having three horses to show herself as a professional with her own competitive goals is extremely special for Isop.

“I feel very fortunate. These derby classes and the special classes are really where I get my joy from, and it's something that I work very hard to have,” she expressed. “I'm very lucky in owners and backers, with Christine, and Tracy and Kerry Critzer to have horses like these. It's why we do it.”

Morera and Symbolique Clinch Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Championship

Rising to the top out of three divisions of Adult Amateur Hunters, 19-year-old Erin Morera of Greenwich, CT, and Symbolique captured the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Championship after winning three over fences classes and placing second in the under saddle of the Adult Hunter 18-35 division.

Morera found “Simba” as a five-year-old, and the pair started in the Children’s Hunters before moving up to the Junior Hunter 3’3” division. “We were both green,” acknowledged Morera of their beginning. “He had never shown before; I had never really shown a horse before. He has a great brain. We learned together, and now we have a great partnership.”

When Morera left for college to study Psychology at Cornell University, they moved down to the three-foot height at the Adult Hunters since Morera did not have as much time to practice at the barn. Despite only coming down to compete on the weekends during the winter in Florida, they won the circuit championship at the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival in their first time showing at the circuit.

“Whenever I get on him, it feels like home after riding him for so many years,” said Morera of the nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Cazador LS. “He gives 100% over every jump. He’s so smooth and has a big stride. He has a great pace, and he doesn't change it, so it makes finding the distances to the jump a lot easier. I can loop the reins and he's not like taking off with me or anything, which is really nice.”

Simba’s laidback personality translates to the barn too. “He's the sweetest,” said Morera. “He's got the best personality. I think he sees me as like a giant treat dispenser; whenever he sees me his ears perk up. He's very cuddly and likes to nuzzle up with you.”

Morera has spent more time back with Simba this summer and returned to Saratoga, one of her favorite horse shows at which she has shown since she was riding ponies. “I love Saratoga,” she said. “It means a lot to be grand champion. I've been champion at Saratoga before, but never grand champion, so that is extra special for me and Simba.”

The Saratoga Women In Business Spectacular will wrap up competition on Sunday, July 13, with the $25,000 WIB Grand Prix, which was rescheduled from Saturday, as well as Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championships and more.

Looking for horse show photos? Visit official photographer Dashing Paws Photography at www.DashingPaws.net to view all of your show proofs!

For more information on the Saratoga Horse Shows, visit www.saratogahorseshows.com.