August 19, Lexington, Ky.

Top hunter competitors have flocked to Kentucky for the second annual $100,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals. Of an invited 75 entries, 61 horses will start tomorrow at 8:15 a.m. in the qualifying round at the Kentucky Horse Park. The top 25 riders will advance to the second round on Saturday evening—classic format—and the top 12 will get to show off their handiness in Round 3. (Download an order of go for Round 1.)

Derby horses crowded into the indoor ring this afternoon, where all three rounds of the competition will take place, for an open hack. The indoor became the new location for the event when last year’s venue, the expansive Sheila Johnson Arena, had to undergo renovations this August and September heading into the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Following the schooling session, the horses jogged for the officiating judges and veterinarian, who approved all entries.

U.S. Hunter Jumper Association President Billy Moroney hosted the Charles Owen Welcome Reception, and Chair of the USHJA High Performance Committee Ron Danta fielded questions during the concurrent riders’ meeting. The concerns mainly centered around derby schooling rules, which are similar to Fédération Equestre Internationale regulations (horses must wear numbers while outside their stalls and school in designated areas over flagged jumps), but still ring a bit foreign to hunter riders. 

An all-star roster of officials will preside over the competition, with judges Kitty Barker, Rob Bielefeld, Ralph Caristo, Bob Crandall, Linda Hough, George Morris, Danny Robertshaw and Chrystine Tauber keeping score. Bobby Murphy and Patrick Rodes will build the courses for the weekend.

Ones To Watch

It’s no exaggeration to describe this year’s order of go as a regular who’s who of the hunter world.

While his winning partner in this class last year, Rumba, has moved into the junior ring with new owner Destry Spielberg, John French has brought two other contenders from California to Kentucky: stallion Crown Affair (the winner at the Desert Circuit III [Calif.]) and a new ride, C. Quito.

Liza Boyd and Brunello, owned by Janet Peterson, have an incredible four derby wins under their belt this spring alone and look ready for another big check. Jen Alfano and Jersey Boy topped the money won list for the second year running and took top honors at this year’s Devon (Pa.) derby.

Kelley Farmer has been on a hot streak since May, winning derbies on four of her five entries. Scott Stewart didn’t attend last year’s Final, but this year he’s getting into the game with two serious contenders—Summer Place and Declaration. Louise Serio’s bringing her biggest gun, Castle Rock, who wowed hunter fans with giant scores in a $50,000 derby in Wellington (Fla.) and generally only shows during the Florida circuit, spending the rest of his days relaxing in owner Bryan Baldwin’s backyard.  

World Hunter Rider Champion Hunt Tosh will have a go on the star of last year’s fall indoor circuit, Lone Star, as well as Nancy Jones’ lovely amateur ride Colorado. And Peter Pletcher, who’s developed a knack for dominating the derbies down in Texas, will be the busiest rider at this year’s Finals with six entries.

With junior Laura Pfeiffer placing third at last year’s class, plenty of eyes will be on the well-mounted and precocious teenagers in Kentucky.  Even though she’s only 12 (and spends half her time in jodphers at the pony ring) it’s hard to discount Victoria Colvin from any class she enters, especially when she tacks up the reliable World Time. And Lillie Keenan, 13, has three handy mounts for the class—but the unenviable task of pathfinder as the first to go tomorrow on Valedictorian.

Big names notably absent from the start list include Old Salem (N.Y.) (and Washington International Equitation Final [D.C.]) winner Travino, who died two weeks ago following a stable accident, and the winner at New York Horse And Pony—Katie Dinan’s Angelo—who was euthanized following a bout with colic.

Derby Finals By The Numbers

• Entries ridden by juniors: 9
• Entries ridden by amateurs: 5
• West Coast entries: 3
• Percentage of riders with more than one horse: 39%