2008-2009 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA
International Hunter Derby

Presented by Dietrich Insurance
Featuring Walsh Harness and Saddlery

Major Sponsors:
Charles Owen & Co.
Dover Saddlery

THE USHJA HIGH PERFORMANCE HUNTER PROGRAM
Throughout the year, USHJA will be promoting the International Hunter Derby Series. The horseman behind this effort believe that riders and breeders in Europe have an interest in this sport and would like the opportunity to showcase their horses in international show hunter competition. The WCHR World Cup Hunter Challenge at the 2007 FEI World Cup in Las Vegas proved that there is international interest in show hunters. The USHJA International Hunter Derby is the catalyst for bringing people from around the world to our sport.

WHAT ONCE WAS WILL SOON BE AGAIN
The discipline of hunters is deeply rooted in tradition. Names like Sally Sexton, Ronnie Mutch, Bert DeNemethy and Bill Steinkraus bring thoughts of admiration, tradition and horsemanship to our minds. Looking at old photos of brave horseman soaring over stone walls and other natural obstacles in perfect form and style will give chills to just about anyone. Those days are gone, or so we thought.

The USHJA has created a special committee to develop a program that will bring the lost art of tradition and horsemanship back to the show ring. The result of many long discussions with some of today's greatest hunter riders and trainers is the USHJA High Performance Hunter Program. This committee has taken the concept a step further and decided to work towards developing a series of classes that has the ability to become an international sensation. The USHJA International Hunter Derby Series was created to bring show hunters to the international level, to increase spectator, media and sponsorship interest and to bring tradition and basic riding principles back to the sport of showing hunters.

WHAT WILL THE CLASSES LOOK LIKE?
The greatest difference between the hunter classes you would see at a regular hunter competition and the classes that are involved in this program will be the courses and specifically the construction of the fences and the track the course will follow.