August 2022 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN August 2022 Page 15 By Haylie Kerstetter Since it first came to be in May of 2019, Derby @ the Vineyard has been one of Penn- sylvania locals’ favorite shows. With attractions for exhibitors and spectators alike, the derby caters to all attendees. At their May event, Derby @ the Vine- yard boasted filled divisions and hundreds of spectators, and management is looking forward to bringing exhibitors the derby they love again this year Septem- ber 24th and 25th. The idea for Derby @ the Vineyard began when owner Kim Riale started hosting hunter derby nights in 2015 at Pebble Creek Farm in Landenberg, PA. Once each month during the summer they would hold the event for riders to complete either a schooling round for $5 or a formal round for $10. These continued for three years until Kim was approached about hosting a horse event at a farm which was recently made into a vineyard. “The outdoor ring had older footing and the indoor was transforming into a structure for weddings and larger events. But there was a field calling my name! We decided that a derby would be fun and there were grape vines in the background. Derby @ the Vineyard came to be,” said Kim. In October 2020, Penns Woods Winery hosted its first Derby @ the Vineyard. Locat- ed in a national park, Penns Woods was the perfect location for the derby. The crew for the horse show consists of the barn family at Paradox County Farm LLC. “I could not do this without them,” said Kim. “Each show has revolving volunteers, but my main crew includes RJ Riale, Lindsey Harris, Aaron Harris, Lauren Wasko, Mor- gan Lockard, and Wyatt Dylan Thompson.” Since its beginning, Derby @ the Vineyard has added a professional-only derby, and at every show a new aspect makes an appearance, including a meet and greet area where spectators can pet the horses, a stick horse class, and a leadline formal equi- tation derby which was added for September 2022. However, their Derby @ the Vineyard– A Unique Derby for Riders and Spectators goal is always to cater to the local level riders. “We want to make them feel special and allow them to do what feels like a rated level show, with local level prices,” Riale noted. The number of spectators has continued to rise since the beginning of the event, with the most recent derby hosting over 700 spectators each day, dressed in their best derby attire. Each formal derby class is capped at 25 entries, and many of the classes fill a month before the show. The next Derby @ the Vineyard will be held September 24-25 2022 at Penn Woods Win- ery and will feature not only the favorite classes for exhibitors, but also entertainment for spectators. Live music will take place all weekend with Nicole Zell and Pete Marziano performing on Saturday, and Adam McCue and Tim Williams taking the stage on Sunday. Local vendors will be on the property, as well as food trucks including Omy Smoked BBQ, Katie Cakes & Co, Philly Hots, The Grateful Gourmet, and Brick and Blaze Pizza. Spectators and exhibitors alike are also invit- ed to decorate their own Derby Hats at the venue. Kim and her team have never been more excited about the future of Derby @ the Vineyard. With their September derby quickly approaching at the beloved Penns Woods Winery and plans for a debut Derby @ the Vineyard in New York, New Jersey and Maryland in 2023, ex- hibitors and spectators have much to look forward to. Kim said, “I never expected it to be this pop- ular, but we’ve had so much fun running them and it’s humbling for me to have others love the crazy idea I had. I’m so grateful for my barn family supporting me through it all!” Get FREE copies of East Coast Equestrian to distribute at your event! Email steph@eastcoastequestrian. net at least 8 weeks before your event with the name and date, and we will ship you copies to distribute to exhibitors at no charge. The news East Coast horse owners need to know Derby @ the Vineyard gives local riders the opportunity to compete in what feels like rated competition. Photo credit: Lydia LaDue