High Performance Hunters

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 18

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 17

For Scott Stewart, winning the Classic Round of the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals feels a bit like a double-edged sword. Sure, he’s glad that Dedication topped the class with marks that stretched up to 93 and only dipped as low as 91, but doing quite this well only makes tomorrow night’s Handy Round tougher.

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 16

The Classic Round for the 2012 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals will kick off at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16. Several late scratches, including Katie Lambert-Boone’s rides Shade and Celebrate, bring the total to 81 entries. Judges Patrick Rodes and Geoff Teall accepted all the entries.

Steve Stephens has built a gorgeous track in the Sheila C. Johnson arena, hauling in a few dozen trees and several stagecoaches. It’s his first year building for Derby Finals.

Parker, Colo., July 17

When Kelley Farmer comes to a hunter derby, she shows up ready to compete. Her horses are fit and well schooled, and she always has her game face on. But at the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Summer In The Rockies VI, things didn’t look that way at the start of the class.

Devon Pa.—June 3

Some horses have favorite venues where they always seem to shine, places where something about the atmosphere, schedule or facility suit them perfectly. Lucky for Jennifer Alfano, Devon Horse Show always seems to be at the top of Jersey Boy’s list.

May 18—Keswick, Va.

Red Sky faced plenty of tough competition at the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Keswick Horse Show—in no small part from his barnmates.

His rider, Kelley Farmer, entered seven top mounts in the class, riding home with the top five ribbons and eighth to boot. First to go in the class, AM Free’s Red Sky scored a wire-to-wire win to lead the victory gallop over Praise and Mystery Guest.