Hunter Derby

The clock is ticking down for the start of the second annual The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals, which will be held at the new indoor arena at the Kentucky Horse Park August 20-21.

The Hunter Derby is rooted in tradition and all trainers, owners, and spectators are encouraged to make August 21 a “Black Tie Affair” and wear formal or evening attire.  A full schedule of Derby events is available on the Derby website Schedule.

Kelley Farmer hit it out of the park in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Horse Shows By The Bay on July 16. She had five rides in the class, and ended up first and second on Bases Loaded and Taken.

Farmer has been unbeatable in the last three derbies she's shown in, and this one in Traverse City, Mich., was no different. She topped the first round on Taken, but then she overtook herself in the handy round on Bases Loaded. Both horses are owned by amateur rider Nancy Amling.

Scott Stewart proved his own toughest competition today, July 11, in Lake Placid, N.Y., riding Declaration and Summer Place to a one-two finish in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby held during I Love New York. Lolita and Linda Langmeier came close to challenging Stewart for the title, showing off tight turns in the handy round to step up to third place.

Ebony cantered into the lead at the State College (Pa.) $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and never looked back.

According to trainer Rachel Kennedy, she knew almost immediately that it was Ebony’s day.

“As soon as he heard the national anthem, he started swinging his head in the schooling area and that was it,” Kennedy said. “He was all business.”

Jen Alfano finished out her trip to Devon, Pa., in perfect style: by riding her long-time partner Jersey Boy to the top of the $25,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby title.

Alfano scored the highest raw score of the day aboard the SBS Farms entry, (93.5) to edge out Maggie Jayne on Devon’s leading mare Francesca. Alfano’s former ride, Rock Star, (Louise Serio) earned third and scored the highest handy round of the day.