Hunter Derby

April 23, Aiken, S.C.

Liza Boyd found a perfect way to celebrate her 32nd birthday: riding Brunello to the top of the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Aiken Spring Classic. She had to face some fierce competition to get there, especially from Kelley Farmer, who brought a trailer load of horses to Aiken, S.C., to take a run at the title.

Farmer still left with plenty of loot, having picked up second (Praise), third (Taken), fourth (Crown And Scepter) and 10th (Bases Loaded).

One of the course designers shares his philosophies behind this event and the series.

What was your vision for the Wellington Hunter Derby’s handy course?

The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association High Performance Hunter Committee developed the USHJA International Hunter Derby to bring the art and tradition of horsemanship back to the show ring.

Wellington, Fla., April 2

Jersey Boy and Jennifer Alfano came to the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival for one reason and one reason only: to win the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. And sure enough, Alfano and Jersey Boy will bring another blue rosette back to Buffalo, N.Y., for SBS Farms. 

Wellington, Fla., April 1

Scott Stewart entered the Eugene R. Mische Ring six times during today’s first round of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, and by the end of the day he’d ended up with two of the top 12 ribbons.

Wellington, Fla., Feb. 18

While the ring crew raised the fences for horses jumping 4’ in the first round of tonight's World Champion Hunter Rider Palm Beach Hunter Classic Spectacular, commentator Geoff Teall noted that hopefully these would be the most seasoned and impressive horses the spectators would see all night.

Was he ever right.

Green Cove Springs, Fla., Jan. 22

Rosalynn and Kelley Farmer added another long ribbon to their collection tonight when they topped the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Jacksonville National. They moved up to the top from third with lovely jumping and tight turns in the handy round.

“It was always my plan to go inside and jump the higher fences—she does those so easily,” said Farmer, Keswick, Va. “After I saw Liza [Boyd] and Jen [Alfano] go, I knew what I had to do. Their horses both jumped beautifully, and those two never back down.”