POV
CONTINUAL EVOLUTION Ron Danta, chair of the USHJA High Performance Hunter Committee, says excitement and enthusiasm for the program has grown steadily since its inception. “This year we had 95 entered in the Finals, the highest number ever. The program is definitely growing,” Ron remarks. Indeed, the derby classes have become popular with exhibitors, spectators, sponsors and show management in ways usually reserved for the big jumper classes. True to its mission, the program has brought a renewed zeal for the hunters and promotes top performance. When asked how he would like to see the
Examples of derby jumps at the Chicago International Hunter Derby.
and riders receive bonus points for taking the high jump options. The derby’s handy round is judged in the same manner as well as the display of handiness, which can be shown through tight turns, skillful approaches to the jumps and an overall gallant ride. According to Geoff, “In the perfect world, you would have the same horse with all the qualities that could win all the derby and hunter classes. The differences when judging derbies is the judges are more apt to let small mistakes go. Due to the level of difficulty, issues such as a late change for a couple of strides, a swap off, or the horse expressing himself after a jump are more easily forgiven in the derby class.” As Geoff explains, in a normal hunter class judges are able to ask for a higher standard because the level of difficulty is less. “As the level of difficulty gets raised for derbies, you reward horses that do the more difficult tasks.” Out in the ring, Troy names two different fences he likes to
see in a derby course for two separate reasons. “My opinion is that the upright fence jump really tests and demonstrates which horses have a good jump; you have to be careful to get to a good distance. It really reminds me of a hunting field. The straw bale jumps or likewise other wide jumps are fun to watch and exciting for the spectators, even though many horses are good at it, because the horses can really gallop at it.”
76 November/December 2012
program develop, Geoff believes that if you put that question to a lot of people, you’ll get a lot of different answers. But, in his mind, the High Performance Committee is doing an excellent job. “I think they’re changing the history of hunters and raising the level of difficulty at a rate that is appropriate for the sport. I think, for me, the single most important thing to work on is the concept of inclusion. I would like to see this program develop to where it’s something that more and more people want to be involved in. This year, when they rewarded the best junior and best amateur at the Finals, it was truly awesome. We want to make the concept something that people can be
part of and an enjoyable experience for the owner, rider, trainer, spectator and sponsors.” Geoff also praised the establishment of the consolation round this year at the Finals. (The highest scoring 30 horses from the classic round that did not qualify for the handy round were invited back for a different second round in the consolation class.) Troy also is careful to caution, “The one thing we shouldn’t lose
sight of is the fact that it is a hunter class with emphasis on the brilliance of the hunter, expression and good movement. We also can’t forget it is a jumping contest, so a good jump is needed.” He sees the crossover from the equitation and jumper rings but also thinks “scopey jumping, handy turning and taking different tracks are areas that hunters haven’t had to do.” As the program develops, many of those in the industry believe the best hunters with the ideal traits will rise to the top. “Our dreams of the future are to get the USHJA International
Hunter Derbies approved at the World Equestrian Games,” says Ron. Yet, as the program is still in its developing stages, a “trial period” of sorts exists in determining what prospects and show horses will don the label of a derby horse. As Ron opines, “I think the derbies are truly the grand prix of hunters. Not every horse is a derby horse.”
Aullmyn Photography
Aullmyn Photography
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