Ratkowski and Better Buy the Minit win the $10K Hunter Derby at WEC-Ocala

Better Buy The Minit, aka “Murray,” returned to the show arena Sunday with Morgan Ratkowski at World Equestrian Center Ocala for the $10,000 NSBA Open Hunter Derby at the 2024 Championship Show!

They won the class, earning a $3700 prize – an impressive feat for the 19-year-old gelding who is semi-retired and has boasted a long, successful career.

“He’s been my baby boy for 11 years,” explains Morgan. “He’s pretty much retired; he just comes out to play on occasion; it’s been about a year since I last showed him, and today he just floated around and jumped everything perfectly. He knows his job, and he’s an angel – it’s more me getting out of the way.  He’s the best in the whole entire world.”

She says their first round was really good, and coming back to the handy is definitely his shining point.  “He knows what I’m thinking before I know what I’m thinking, so that’s our favorite part. That’s why we come and play in the derbies – because that’s the fun stuff for him, but our plan was just to go in there, have a clean trip, do all the high options and try to keep it as tight and handy as possible.  We both think that part’s a lot of fun.”

Morgan says Murray’s heart is just huge, and he loves to horse show.  “I feel like it’s very rare for one to be showing for 11 years and still love it as much as he does, so that makes it super fun for both of us.”

Since they live in Ocala, and Morgan works at Farmhouse Chiropractic at WEC-Ocala, Morgan has been able do a little bit of both work and play, which she says, is awesome, and even better: Murray gets to go home to his turnout each night!

 

More results from the $10K Hunter Derby at WEC-Ocala:

 

2nd: Hows That For Ya with Robert Stucky for Morgan Miller – $2000

3rd: Never Forgotten with Lauren Patterson for Allison McCulley -$1500

4th: My Next Edition with Ryan Painter for Hana Thomas $1000

5th: Hesa Frequent Flyer with Robert Stucky for Kate Upton-$750