Pony Club Joins the Hunter World
Submitted by: Traci Sandberg
Phone: 703-943-7896
Email Address: traci(at)nextdoorvet.com
Date Added: 3/13/2013
Virginia Region Pony Clubs will host a Hunter Derby Clinic and Show May 4th and 5th at Frying Pan Park
On the rated scene the Hunter Derby is catching on like wildfire. In the spring of 2012, Upperville held its first ever Hunter Derby and on the international scene, the USHJA Hunter Derby Finals were held in August 2012 at the Rolex Stadium and had a record 95 entries. The event is meant to bring the roots of the field hunter back into the hunter show ring. The courses for a Hunter Derby are designed to more closely resemble the hunt field, with fewer ground lines, taller, narrower fences, ditches, gates, banks, walls, hedges, and more. The approaches to jumps vary greatly, from short to long to serpentine, and are completely negotiable. Riders are rewarded for choosing more difficult routes, and higher jump options. They differ from current hunter classes primarily in the construction of the fences and the track between them. The United Stated Hunter Jumper Association says, “The courses will be built to encourage and reward brilliance and daring from the rider and true athletic ability from the horses.” The Virginia Region Pony Clubs (VRPC) is planning a fun event to introduce this exciting new competition to Hunters and Pony Club members alike here at the local level in Northern Virginia.
The VRPC sponsored Hunter Derby Clinic, Show & Open House will take place over the first weekend in May at Frying Pan Park in Herndon, Virginia. Their clinician for Saturday is Ian McCartney, Director of Equestrian Programs at The Madeira School in Great Falls, VA, and their course designer and judge for Sunday is Gigi Winslett, a well known and respected horse professional in the area. On Saturday, Mr. McCartney will work with attendees to understand how the specifics of a Hunter Derby differ from a standard Hunter competition and help them ride through the same course designed by Ms. Winslett for Sunday’s show. VRPC has applied for VHSA associate rated status for the show on Sunday and will offer Short Stirrup, Small/Medium and Large Pony Hunters, Low Hunters, Children’s/Adult Amateur and the Working Hunter divisions. Each division (with the exception of Short Stirrup) will offer a derby class after the standard 2 over fences and one under saddle class. There will be a Derby Stakes Championship class at the end of the show with a cash jackpot.
The prize list, details and entry information for the weekend can be found on the VRPC website at vrponyclub.org.
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