POV Rachel Kennedy of ESP Farm, whose pupil Kaitlin Campbell won
top placing amateur at the finals this year, has the same sentiments. “My favorite, favorite is Jersey Boy,” she enthuses. A regular face at the derby competitions, Rachel has had multiple placings in some of the bigger derby classes. Another favorite of hers? “Brunello,” she says. “He’s a class act.” (Brunello is a Hanoverian ridden by co- owner Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, South Carolina.)
THE MAKINGS OF A GOOD DERBY HORSE There are a few words that are commonly used by judges, trainers and riders alike to describe the ideal derby horse: brave, scopey, desire, good movement and athleticism. A derby prospect is becoming an item that clients are asking their trainers about, and in many cases, either purchasing a derby prospect for a trainer to develop or one that can do the amateur hunter division as well as the derbies. Jessie Lang, trainer and rider of the Belgian Warmblood stallion C. Quito (by Parco), found herself looking for a horse that could do the latter. “We were looking for a horse that could do bigger divisions that the owner could ride too. C. Quito takes to the derbies because he’s so brave. We don’t show a lot, so I’m usually trying to get through some rust, but he always tries his heart out. He truly exhibits a great desire to jump. He’s never really fazed if we get to a distance that’s a little long or a little short.” With C. Quito’s oldest foal crop at two years of age, Jessie is
looking forward to seeing his offspring develop. “The breeding program in this country has been weak. I’d love to see the derbies really help strengthen the overall quality of breeding, and that’s what we’re working towards with C. Quito—to have this develop more and more and get more people interested in it.” Troy Hendricks also sees the derbies as providing a great guidepost as to what is desired for the future of the sport. “To be able to have these derby classes gives some incentive for what to breed for. It’s something that will work for itself.” He sees breeders being able to viably market young horses as a derby horse with great buyer interest in such prospects. “The derbies are going to help the breeding. My colleagues and friends who are breeding horses, that’s what they have in mind. For example, if you can take a really nice stallion from the grand prix jumper ring and cross him with a good hunter mare, you’re hopeful that you get a good derby horse.” With solid breeding goals being established, this certainly could provide a boost to North American breeding overall. In addition to creating a new marketable label for up-and-
coming horses, seasoned horses are finding “derby competitor” added to their resumes. Geoff Teall, a highly respected USEF licensed ‘R’ judge and one of the judges at this year’s finals, states, “There are horses that are very, very successful at the program. They’re not really class hunters because they’re not quite fancy enough, but with derby questions, they shine. Or they’re jumpers that aren’t quite fast enough or quick enough but have the
ability to do the derbies, and it holds the horse’s interest. They have proven themselves to be top derby horses. It opens up a whole other niche.” This new niche has the potential to influence significant changes that will ultimately broaden the versatility of hunters in general, enhancing the viability of the sport. Jessie also perceives the derbies as an avenue for horses that
don’t necessarily fit a cookie cutter mold. “In the last 25 years with [the Warmblood] imports there has been that kind of funny-looking horse—is it a jumper or hunter, maybe an equitation horse? The derbies have worked well in that some of these horses have a place
C. Quito and Jessie Lang won the $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby in Carson City, Nevada in September 2011.
to show. That’s great, and it’s helping the industry; hopefully, the top ones produce a more athletic horse, better moving with more presence. It’s the exact opposite of dull,” she explains. As an added bonus, “it makes people ride and train better too!” Indeed, a “type” of horse that makes a good derby horse may still be a fluid concept, but the desired characteristics are consistent.
A COURSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR If the single, outside line, diagonal line variation is tiresome, the derby courses are changing the playing field. A trainer once remarked at a show, “I can put the rider on backwards while smoking a cigarette and she’d still do fine because that horse knows the course.” Such is not the case with the derbies. The derby courses are designed to be a true test of all the characteristics explained above, with imaginative elements that incorporate bending lines and unrelated distances while encouraging bold rides. Since the derbies ask different questions of the horse and rider,
the judging of a derby deviates from a standard hunter round. The derby’s classic round, according to the USHJA class specifications, is “judged and numerically scored on quality, movement, jumping style, manners and way of going.” Pace and brilliance are rewarded
Warmbloods Today 75
Heather Bellock
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84