Dedication Takes The Lead At USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals

A Handy Challenge
Dedication hasn’t show at Finals before, and as Stewart alluded, he's developed a disconcerting habit of winning the first round of major competitions then returning for the second trip and being a bit green. This happened at the 2011 and 2012 editions of the Wellington Hunter Derby (Fla.).

Stewart will have a more confirmed partner in Garfield—who lays fifth—tomorrow night. That horse finished tenth here last year. This marks Brunello’s third appearance at Finals, and Jersey Boy’s fourth.

To get ready, Boyd and Brunello campaigned in a 1.30-meter jumper class (she was happy with his 4 fault performance and the chance to try some jump-off turns.) When asked if Jersey Boy was on any jumper start lists Alfano laughed.

“[Liza and I] talked about it, and I told her that I didn’t think Ian Millar was here to ride him around,” joked Alfano. “We didn’t do anything special for any of the other classes, and he’s been really good all summer. We didn’t want to change anything.”

Watch Jersey Boy's Classic Round:

Unlike last year, scores from today’s round carry over for tomorrow. The top 30 riders will return for the handy, and the next 30 in line will compete for $15,000 in a new Consolation Round. That Consolation Round will start at 4p.m., and the handy will go at 8p.m. USEF Network will be broadcasting the event live, and you can join the conversation as The Chronicle of the Horse hosts a live interactive blog starting at 7:30 p.m.

“I’m just excited” said Boyd of tomorrow’s handy trip. “He’s always great under the lights, and I’m sure Steve will set something exciting for us.”

Right Or Wrong?
USHJA President Bill Moroney made several predictions in the Chronicle’s preview issue. Halfway through the competition, let's check in and see how they're holding up.

Seasoned partnerships will win out. Yes—only one of the top 10 pairs (Caden and Peter Pletcher) doesn’t have a long history of winning together. Not that the Irish Sport Horse is a catch ride for Pletcher. His student, Carson Gibson, usually rides that horse in the junior division.
The new format will make riders bolder in Round 1. No—Moroney sensibly suggested that riders would ride more aggressively as there was no longer a “giveaway” Qualifying Round. But this year’s first round was tougher than last year’s Qualifying Round (but in the neighborhood of last year’s demanding Classic Round). Rails were flying, so by and large riders made calculated decisions, not brazen ones. All in all, only two riders in the top 15 jumped all the high options.
Horses with a good gallop and have experience in bigger venues will do well. Yes. Of horses advancing to tomorrow’s handy, most are veterans from last year. The overwhelming majority competed at this year’s Wellington Hunter Derby, and most of the top 12 here advanced to the handy round there, which was held on the grass derby field with plenty of atmosphere. Most of the top 30 are regular ribbon winners at venues where derbies are held on big fields.

By The Numbers
Total entries in the Classic Round—81
Number of full Thoroughbreds in the Classic Round—0
Number of judges—6 (Geoff Teall, Rob Bielefeld, Patrick Rodes, Linda Hough, Scott Williamson, Betty Oare)
Number of horses who attempted all four high option jumps—8 (Monterrey/Lillie Keenan, Ralph Lauren/Brian Feigus, Friday Night/Sandy Ferrell, Copperfield/Peter Pletcher, Kalifornia Dreamin’/Dana Hart Callanan, Declaration/Scott Stewart, Dinner For Two/Rebecca Reyes, Carson/Greg Crolick, Miss Lucy/Jen Alfano)
Rider with the most entries in the handy round—Kelley Farmer (Bases Loaded, who lays 6^th; Clearly, 7^th; Taken, 8^th, Red Sky, 20^th, Vox 22^nd ).
Minimum average base score needed to qualify for the Handy Round—78.28
Minimum average base score needed to qualify for the Consolation Round—45.66
Number of amateurs advancing to the Handy Round—2 (Kaitlin Campbell/October Road, 14th, and Summer Catch/Ashley Hotz, 25th) out of 9 total
Number of juniors advancing to the Handy Round—5 (Inclusive/Tori Colvin, 10th; Monterrey/Lillie Keenan, 12th; Elliott/Shawn Casady, 24th; Lillie Keenan/Kid Rock, 26th; Havana/Tori Colvin, 27th) out of 23 total
Number of falls—2 (Aha/Callie Seaman, Lochland/Sara Stephens—both horses and riders walked off course without delay or incident.)