John French and Rumba Win Inaugural Hunter Derby Finals
After three brilliant performances, John French and Rumba will go down in history as the inaugural winners of the ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals. Before the start of the final day of competition, George Morris addressed the crowd gathered in the Johnson Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. “The hunter derby courses are bringing us back to tradition, we’re surrounded by lovely horses and no doubt we’ll see a championship performance tonight,” Morris said, wishing the horses and riders the best of luck.
The top 25 horses and riders then returned to compete over a classic hunter course. They were judged by four panels of judges, each of which could award an additional 10 points for brilliance. The top 12 would then move onto the third and final handy round. Patrick Rodes and Bobby Murphy put together two magnificent courses that challenged both horses and riders and allowed the brave and bold to shine. “They’ve really outdone themselves this week for us,” USHJA President Bill Moroney commented about the course designers and show management staff.
Roger Smith’s Castello ridden by Jack Hardin Towell got the evening’s event started with a solid performance. But once again, it was John French and Mountain Home Stables’ Rumba that stole the show with a high score of 400. French’s ride received the full set of 10 points from one panel of judges and 9 points from the other three panels.
Series champion Jersey Boy of SBS Farms and Jennifer Alfano took a commanding lead with only two horses left to go. Alfano guided the chestnut gelding through the challenging course that called for a walk to canter transition and included four option jumps set at 4’. The pair received scores in the 90s from judges with a total of 776, making them the team to beat. Tammy Provost and Peridot followed, but unfortunately didn’t duplicate the same strong performance they put in during the classic round. They had a refusal at fence five, which left it all up to leaders French and Rumba to upset Alfano and Jersey Boy. The pair from California didn’t disappoint, putting in a smooth, clean round and taking the higher fence options. Tension was thick in Johnson Arena as the audience waited for their scores to be announced. The stadium erupted when the grey gelding’s scores came over the loud speakers. With scores in the 90s from all four sets of judges, French and Rumba had a resounding win with 782.
“I couldn’t have been happier with his performance – he was unbelievable tonight,” French said of Rumba.
French’s win was viewed by over 30,000 hunter enthusiast via Equestrian Life.com’s free, live streaming coverage.
For a complete list of the ASG Software Solutions/International Hunter Derby Finals placings, visit the USHJA website. Equestrian Life provided free, live streaming of the event, which the public can still view on their website. Information on the 2009/2010 The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby Series can be found on the USHJA Derby website.
The 2009 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals is supported by the following sponsors: ASG Software Solutions – Title Sponsor; Dietrich Insurance-Presenting Sponsor; Charles Owen & Co.-Major Sponsor; Dover Saddlery-Major Sponsor; Essex Classics-Award Sponsor; The Clothes Horse-Award Sponsor; Grand Prix – Award Sponsor; Personalized Products – Award Sponsor; McGuinn Farms – Award Sponsor.
Official Order of Go Posted for ASG Software Solutions Hunter Derby Finals
August 21, 2009
The top 25 riders, owners and trainers gathered for the ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals Draw Party this evening. USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsors were on hand for the event to encourage the select group of horsemen that will advance to the final two rounds of competition for the prestigious title of International Hunter Derby Champion. Sponsors present at the party included: Lee Ann Pepper representing title sponsor ASG Software Solutions, Shawna Dietrich representing presenting sponsor Dietrich Insurance, Katrina Coldren representing award sponsor The Clothes Horse and Amy MacDonald representing award sponsor Essex Classics.
Before the official draw was held, High Performance Hunter Committee Chairman, Ron Danta, thanked committee members and other key individuals who contributed their time and insight to the development of the derby series. “It’s been an amazing journey chairing this committee. I appreciate your dedication to the development, implementation and success of the Hunter Derby Series,” Danta said to the group, and handed out gifts as a token of his appreciation.
Peter Pletcher was the first rider to draw his order of go for Alta Basaldua’s Argentum. He’ll be the fifth in the ring on the grey gelding. Based in Magnolia, Texas, Pletcher made the top 25 cut with all four of his original mounts. Jack Hardin Towell on Roger Smith’s Castello will start the second round, which is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Johnson Arena. Current leader, John French and Mountain Home Stables’ Rumba, will ride 14th. The official order of go for tomorrow evening’s second round can be found on the USHJA website.
Free, live streaming of both the second round classic course and the third and final handy round can be viewed on Equestrian Life’s website www.equestrianlife.com/derby. All of the latest ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals news can be found on USHJA’s Twitter page http://twitter.com/ushja as well as www.USHJA.org/Derby where you will be able to find the latest information and follow our Derby Blog.
The 2009 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals is supported by the following sponsors: ASG Software Solutions – Title Sponsor; Dietrich Insurance-Presenting Sponsor; Charles Owen & Co.-Major Sponsor; Dover Saddlery-Major Sponsor; Essex Classics-Award Sponsor; The Clothes Horse-Award Sponsor; Grand Prix – Award Sponsor; Personalized Products – Award Sponsor; McGuinn Farms – Award Sponsor.
John French and Rumba Take Early Lead of the ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby
August 21, 2009
On the first day of competition at the ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals presented by Dietrich Insurance, 56 horses and riders put it all on the line for their chance at the coveted Derby Finals Champion title. The top 25 horses from this morning’s round are invited to Saturday evening’s round two classic course and were given $1,000. The top 12 horses from round two will compete for over all derby final’s champion honors and a share of the $100,000 prize money.
This morning’s classic hunter round designed by Bobby Murphy and Patrick Rodes featured 12 obstacles with three option jumps. Early in the draw, the sixth horse and rider on course, Curtain Call and Courtney Calcagnini, set the top score of 345. The pair held the top spot until John French’s brilliant performance on Mountain Home Stables’ Rumba took over with a score of 367. French and the 9-year-old gelding held the lead for the rest of the class.
“He is very adjustable and is happy to have courses that ask more of his scope, range and handiness,” French says of Rumba’s ability to handle the derby courses. The grey gelding came into the final’s competition with two back to back wins at this year’s derbies at HITS Thermal.
Maggie Jayne and Pony Lane Farm’s Early Applause hold the number two position heading into tomorrow’s round two, while Jessica Springsteen and Stone Hill Farm’s Tiziano are currently in third place. To view a complete list of the top 25 horses, visit the USHJA website.
Today’s classic round was streamed live on Equestrian Life at www.equestrianlife.com/derby. Deana Bergquist, Co-founder and President of Equestrian Life, reported that the site received 10,000 hits during its coverage of this morning’s qualifying round. Tomorrow evening, live coverage will resume at 6:00 p.m. for the opening ceremonies, with the first horse expected to be on course at 6:30 p.m. The third and final round of the competition is estimated to start at 8:30 p.m. If you missed this morning’s qualifying round, you can view full coverage of the class on the Equestrian Life website.
Chris Stafford, Equestrian Life’s expert journalist, expressed the company’s excitement for sharing the inaugural derby finals with the public. “We’re very excited to partner with the United States Hunter Jumper Association in bringing coverage of the derby finals to a worldwide audience,” Stafford commented at the rider’s meeting held Thursday evening at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Visitor’s Center.
Stay up to date on all of the latest ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals news on USHJA’s Twitter page http://twitter.com/ushja as well as www.USHJA.org/Derby where you will be able to find the latest information and follow our Derby Blog.
The 2009 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals is supported by the following sponsors: ASG Software Solution – Title Sponsor; Dietrich Insurance-Presenting Sponsor; Charles Owen & Co.-Major Sponsor; Dover Saddlery-Major Sponsor; Essex Classics-Award Sponsor; The Clothes Horse-Award Sponsor; Grand Prix – Award Sponsor; Personalized Products – Award Sponsor; McGuinn Farms – Award Sponsor.
Free, Live Streaming Coverate of the 2009 Inaugural Derby Finals
July 22, 2009
The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) is proud to announce that the $100,000 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals will be broadcast live online, free of charge in partnership with EquestrianLife.com. USHJA has selected EquestrianLife.com as its official media partner for the inaugural International Hunter Derby Finals to be held August 21-22, 2009 in the new outdoor stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY.
EquestrianLife.com will provide a live streaming broadcast and expert commentary of the event to web viewers worldwide via an exclusive International Hunter Derby Finals page on EquestrianLife.com at USHJA Derby Finals website .
“We are thrilled at the growing excitement across the country for the first International Hunter Derby Finals. We have some of the best Hunter horses and riders coming to Lexington from as far as California and are thrilled that EquestrianLife.com will be making it possible for those who cannot attend in person to still enjoy this historic event via the live, online broadcast of the event,” commented Whitney Allen, USHJA Director of Marketing & Communications.
Live coverage will begin at 8:00 am Eastern Time on Friday, August 21st and will include all 75 competitors. On Saturday, August 22nd coverage of the final championship rounds will begin at 6 pm ET. Viewers will feel like they are at the ringside watching some of the top Hunter horses and riders in the world with the expert, live commentary of the event, offering insights on the riders, horses and the competition as it happens.
“We could not be more excited to bring the inaugural International Hunter Derby to a broad audience via our live, online broadcast. Not everyone will be able to be at the Kentucky Horse Park for the event, but we will make it possible for everyone who wants to experience the competition to ‘virtually’ be there via the Internet,” said Deana Bergquist, Co-Founder and President of EquestrianLife.com.
The USHJA would like to acknowledge the following sponsors of the 2009 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals: Dietrich Insurance (Presenting Sponsor); Walsh Harness & Saddlery (Featuring Sponsor); Charles Owen & Co (Major Sponsor); Dover Saddlery (Major Sponsor); The Clothes Horse (Awards Sponsor); Essex Classics (Awards Sponsor); Grand Prix Riding Apparel (Award Sponsor).
For more information about sponsoring live event coverage of the International Hunter Derby Finals or to discuss other online advertising opportunities during the event contact Deana Bergquist, deana@equestrianlife.com or 650-619-8020.
About EquestrianLife.com
EquestrianLife.com is a social media web site dedicated to the equestrian community and horse lovers across all breeds and disciplines. Awarded the Best New Equestrian Web Site in 2008, EquestrianLife.com is focused on providing visitors with all the information and tools they need to connect with each other and learn.
EquestrianLife.com’s proprietary social media platform gives users leading applications such as member and horse profiles, social Q&A, photo galleries, status updates, comments, groups, event and business directories, birthday reminders, and other ways of expressing their passion for horses and connecting with others who share the same passion. Expert content, focused around high-definition videos, provide users with instruction on topics across veterinary medicine, horsemanship, riding styles, lesson ideas and horse and rider health. Live event coverage provides site visitors with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of exciting events from their computers.
The team behind EquestrianLife.com has spent 20 years in Silicon Valley’s top technology, social media and ecommerce companies and has taken this experience and applied it to their own passion for horses and the equestrian community.
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