• To bring the basic principles of riding back into show hunters through the use of challenging courses, interesting jump materials and greater variation in fence construction
• To create a “Grand Prix” for show hunters
• To promote ownership of High Performance Hunters
• To bring hunter and jumper riders together again at the top level
• To showcase the sport of hunters, owners and riders through:
• To increase the amount of prize money and recognition offered at top competitions
• To involve other countries in the hunter discipline
• To promote the welfare of the horse

Round One: Hunter Classic Course

a. 10 jumps minimum
b. Fence height 3’6” to 4’0, with a maximum of 50% of the jumps set at 3’6
c. There must be four 4’0” to 4’3”fences in the course, set as option jumps
d. At least one In and Out
e. At least one Bending Line
f. At least one line with an unrelated distance
g. One long approach
h. Jumps:

• Obstacles must simulate those reminiscent of the hunt field and course must offer a variety of Derby jumps with different appearances such as: natural post and rail, stone wall, white board fence or gate, coop, aiken, hedge, oxer, brush, logs, natural foliage.
• Natural obstacles such as banks and ditches are encouraged
• A 3” difference is required for the back element of an obstacle
• Ground lines are not to exceed 18” in depth from the vertical plane of the jump. For appropriate jumps, no ground line is acceptable. Ground lines must be of one material for each jump.

Round Two: Handy Hunter Course

a. A minimum of 8 obstacles must be offered in the Handy Hunter Round
b. Fence height 3’6” to 4’0”, with a maximum of 50% of the jumps set at 3’6
c. There must be four 4’0” to 4’3” fences in the course, set as option jumps
d. The course should simulate riding over trappy hunt country and must have a minimum of at least 3 handy options, such as: tight turn options, different track options, clever options for jump approaches, pen type obstacles, hand gallop a jump, trot a lowered obstacle, walk over an obstacle not to exceed 18” in height, lead over an obstacle, halt and/or back, open gate while mounted. Gimmicky options are not appropriate.
e. A minimum of twelve (12) entries, including horses tied for 12th place, must return for Round Two, if available. More entries may return for Round 2 if time permits. If more than twelve (12) entries return for Round 2, all horses tied for the last place returning will return to compete in Round 2.
f. Jumps:

• Obstacles must simulate those reminiscent of the hunt field and course must offer a variety of Derby jumps with different appearances such as: natural post and rail, stone wall, white board fence or gate, coop, aiken, hedge, oxer, brush, logs, natural foliage.
• Natural obstacles such as banks and ditches are encouraged
• A 3” difference is required for the back element of an obstacle
• Ground lines are not to exceed 18” in depth from the vertical plane of the jump. For appropriate jumps, no ground line is acceptable. Ground lines must be of one material for each jump.

Jump Off Round

a. A minimum of 8 fences
b. Fence height 3’6’ to 4’0”
c. There must be a minimum of two 4’0” to 4’3” fences in the course, set as option jumps
d. The course must have a minimum of 2 of the following options: trot jump, open gate while mounted, lead over a jump, tight turn option, clever options for jump approaches, halt and/or back, walk an obstacle not to exceed 18” in height.
e. Jumps:

• Obstacles must simulate those reminiscent of the hunt field and course must offer a variety of Derby jumps with different appearances such as: natural post and rail, stone wall, white board fence or gate, coop, aiken, hedge, oxer, brush, logs, natural foliage.
• Natural obstacles such as banks and ditches are encouraged
• A 3” difference is required for the back element of an obstacle
• Ground lines are not to exceed 18” in depth from the vertical plane of the jump. For appropriate jumps, no ground line is acceptable. Ground lines must be of one material for each jump.

One USEF “R” judge who will be officiating for the class and a veterinarian must be present. All horses entered in the class must jog for soundness in order to be eligible to compete. Unsoundness during the competition will be reflected in the scores from the judges (GR 1031.7). Following consultation with the veterinarian, the decision of the judge is final.

• Prior to the start of the class, one panel of judges must be designated as the tie breaking panel for each of the two rounds and the overall placings. (Team One and Team Two)
• First Round Ties - In the case of ties occurring during the first round of the class, the scores of Team One will be used to break any ties.
• Second Round Ties - In the case of ties occurring during the second round of the class, the scores of Team Two will be used to break any ties.
• Overall Ties - In the case of ties occurring in the overall placings, the second round scores of Team One will be used to break any ties.
• There will not be a jump off for horses tied for first place.

For the 2009-2010 Member Event Series, USHJA will provide ribbons and awards for the Overall Top 12. All riders in the Top 12 must ride for ribbons.

• A minimum of $10,000 prize money must be offered per class.
• The entry fee can not exceed 5% of the prize money offered.
• All riders must complete the USHJA Exhibitor Declaration Form. If the Exhibitor Declaration Form is not complete and submitted to the show office at the time of entry or at least one hour prior to the start of the class, riders will not receive points in their respective hunter divisions for the Derby class.
• There is no limit to the number of horses a rider can ride in each class.
• Horses entered in this class are not required to show in any other hunter or jumper classes at the horse show.
• Horses entered in this class must be ridden in the designated warm-up area(s) for all phases of the class wearing their competition number. Riding in any other area of the competition grounds during the class is prohibited and will result in disqualification of that horse from competing in the class.
• Each class will be provided a Technical Supervisor.
• A computer ranking system tracks the money won for both the horse and rider.
• Class to be held in the Grand Prix ring, main Hunter Ring or other suitable arena. Ring must have spectator seating and sound system.
• The course diagrams for all three rounds must be posted a minimum of one hour before the start of the class.

• Each class must have a minimum of two panels of judges. One judge on each team of judges must be a “R” judge, the other to be either a “R” or “r” judge.
• Each panel of judges will provide one score, and the scores from each team will be combined for the overall total for each horse.
• Round One- Judged on hunter style, quality, movement and brilliance
• A maximum of 10 bonus points may be awarded by each panel of judges to each horse/rider combination for jumping style, quality and movement. This score will be announced separately and added to each riders score
• Round Two- Judged on style, brilliance and handiness.
A maximum of 10 bonus points may be awarded by each panel of judges to each horse/rider combination for handiness of round and brilliance of pace. This score will be announced separately and added to each riders score.
• A jog must be held before the beginning of Round One and one judge and a veterinarian must be present. Horses must be serviceably sound in order to be eligible to compete. In order to be considered for an award, a horse must be serviceably sound. Unsoundness during the competition will be reflected in the scores from the judges. (See USEF HU 124 and GR1031.7).
• Attire: formal/dress attire:

Buff breeches and shad belly
White breeches and dark or scarlet coat, hunt colors coat or official sponsor or team jacket permitted

1. Classes included in the member event series to be determined annually by USHJA.
2. Derby Classics may only be offered at “A” and “AA” competitions and special events approved by the USHJA.
3. All classes involved in the USHJA Member Event Series must meet the requirements set forth by USHJA. Information on the application procedure, class requirements, judging system and course requirements is available from the Programs Department in the USHJA office.
4. Bonus points will be awarded to each horse’s respective hunter division as declared on the USHJA Derby Exhibitor Declaration Form, except horses ridden by juniors or amateurs will be awarded points in their respective divisions.
5. The point structure will be as follows:
6. Prize Money must be distributed as follows: 30% for 1st, 22% for 2nd, 15% for 3rd, 10% for 4th, 6% for 5th, 5% for 6th, 4% for 7th, 3% for 8th, 3% for 9th, 2% for 10th.
7. Riders, owners and trainers must be current active members of USEF and USHJA before the start of the class first day of the competition. (See GR201).
8. Horses competing in this class must have an active USEF and USHJA recordings to be eligible for Horse of the Year points (GR902).
9. The prize money offered in this class does not count to determine the overall rating the competition.
10. Each class must have two sets of two judges, two of which must be a ‘R.” A team of judges may include one “R” and one “r” judge.

• For all classes, managers are encouraged to have two professionals to provide live commentary during each round. Please contact the USHJA office for additional information and format suggestions
• For all classes, management is required to provide copies of the course to riders prior to the start of the course walk and are encourage to make them available for spectators.
• All classes must hold the following meetings prior to the start of the class: