There were two other options left on course: Riders could jump the high or low side of a log pile, with most opting for middle or the high side. The next option was the squirrel tails (which are a fixture on the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** course at the Kentucky Horse Park) set near each other but on slightly different angles, creating a bending line, to a choice of jumping either a 3-foot-6 or 4-foot oxer. Not one of the horses batted an eyelash at the squirrels (another of Sean's predictions), but most of them jumped it hard and, at this point, with the course nearing the end, riders went for bonus points at the big oxer. Finishing up the course was an easy two-stride, and the last jump was the USHJA oxer.
There were a few horses who found the unseasonably cool Kentucky evening, bright lights of the outdoor area and the electricity in the crowd a little exciting. The horses who were soft and fluid on Friday were now jumping flat and trying to get a little quick. They didn't have bad trips, but it was apparent their riders were working hard. Most horses seemed to enjoy the change of pace, and those who liked the fences and the crowds were cracking their backs. Again, Rumba who was the 14th horse to enter the ring came out on top with a perfect score of 400.
The top 12 riders after the hunter round entered the ring for ribbons and then headed out to warm up and return in reverse order for the round three "handy" phase. The handy phase is a rider's chance to really show off his horse by making tighter turns, hand galloping a fence and jumping the bigger options--whatever he can do to show his horse's scope, ability, style and bravery to earn bonus points.
Riders cantered straight to the first fence and then made a quick rollback followed by another rollback to a brick wall set between two ducks (also a fixture on the Rolex Three-Day course). During our course walk, Sean mentioned that the way the tree/shrub decorations were strategically placed would make for a tighter rollback and eliminated the easy line from Fence 3 to 4. Fence 5 proved to be the tricky one, however. It was a narrow natural brush oxer set at the far end of the ring. Two horses put on the brakes at it. After the oxer, riders made a right rollback and entered a chute where they had to walk their mounts between the front and back of the brush oxer they just jumped.
The next tricky part on course was back at the post-and-rail/coop option. This time it was a single fence, and riders could choose which jump and then headed to the squirrel tails. There were several ways to get to the squirrels, and I think we saw every one of them. Several took the long option around both squirrels, many cut between the squirrels for a really tight turn and only one rider went directly to the squirrel without rolling back around. A hand gallop to the last fence completed the course. Again, no one could touch Rumba, although they all tried. His style over the fences, handiness in the turns (his jumper background really paid off), ability to hand gallop without ever changing his rhythm and his presence in the ring made him the clear-cut winner.
I am so excited to have witnessed the inaugural Hunter Derby Finals. It was the best display of consistent riding in a hunter class and the deepest field of talent I have ever seen in one place. I am a better rider and horseperson for having been a part of it. This is the future of hunters, and it is exciting! You could hear it in the cheers from the audience after riders took a difficult turn or option. Yes, cheers during a hunter course--this is a spectator sport.
If you haven't yet witnessed a Hunter Derby, visit www.ushja.org to find one in your area. You will thank me for it, I promise.
As for me, I'm off to find a winning lottery ticket: I want a Hunter Derby horse!
Hunter Messineo is a member of the Practical Horseman advertising sales team and is the associate publisher of USHJA In Stride magazine. She competes in the hunter divisions with her Thoroughbred Bourbon Street.
Read about John French's winning strategies in the article "Hunter Derby Dynamo" in the November 2009 issue of Practical Horseman magazine. You can also view Hunter's Hunter Derby photo galleries at www.facebook.com/practicalhorseman.
