March 6—Gulfport, Miss.

Martien van der Hoeven only came to Gulfport, Miss., for one week this winter, but he made it worth his while when he rode Cellino to the top of today’s $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

That derby specialist spends most of his time in a paddock and enjoying light hacks in a field at home, only getting his mane braided when there’s a big derby on the schedule. And today Cellino’s experience came in handy today, helping him top the field of 35 to take the blue for Julie Thompson.