History

The discipline of hunters is deeply rooted in tradition. Names like Sallie Sexton, Ronnie Mutch, Bert DeNemethy and Bill Steinkraus bring thoughts of admiration, tradition and horsemanship to our minds. Looking at old photos of brave horsemen soaring over stone walls and other natural obstacles in perfect form and style will give chills to just about anyone. The USHJA High Performance Hunter Committee developed the USHJA International Hunter Derby to bring the tradition and art of horsemanship back to the show ring stronger and better than ever.

The USHJA International Hunter Derby Demonstrations held during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2010 proved a huge draw and confirmed a worldwide interest in show hunters. USHJA High Performance Hunter Committee Chair Ron Danta noted, "It was overwhelming to see people that excited about show hunters... Each day, we had packed stands that quickly became standing room only - three rows deep."

Aided by the popularity of the Derby demonstrations during the World Equestrian Games, the USHJA International Hunter Derby Series has already successfully reached major goals of the program: bringing attention to show hunters at the international level; increasing spectator, media and sponsorship interest; and bringing tradition and basic riding principles back to the sport of showing hunters.

The popularity of the USHJA International Hunter Derby continues into the 2012-13 Qualifying Series as 61 Member Event classes are being offered throughout the country. The 2013 Derby Championship is scheduled for August 16 and 17, 2013, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

Derby Series, Regional Awards and Championship

2012-13 Series and Qualifying Period

This 12-month series and qualifying period for the 2013 Derby Championship includes competitions starting June 2, 2012, to June 1, 2013.

2013-14 Series and Qualifying Period

This 18-month series includes competitions starting June 2, 2013, through November 30, 2014. The qualifying period for the 2014 Championship is June 2, 2013 through June 1, 2014.

Each future Derby series, starting with 2015, will run December 1 through November 30 of the following year.

2013 Derby Championship

The qualifying period for the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship to be held August 15-17, 2013, is June 2, 2012 through June 1, 2013. A $750 entry fee will be implemented in 2013, 80% of which is to be added back to the $100,000 guaranteed prize money and paid out to award winners. Horses that have won $500 in International Hunter Derby classes during the 2012-13 qualifying series are eligible to compete. Additionally the top three placing horses from the 2012 Derby Championship are automatically qualified for the 2013 Championship.

Derby Regional Standings

2012-13

New for the 2012-13 series, USHJA will be recognizing leading horses and riders in each of the four Derby regions: Central, North, South and West. Keep track of your favorites through the Derby Regional Standings, which are updated weekly as results are submitted.

2013-14

With the addition of an optional $200 enrollment fee, the 2013-14 regional awards will include a monetary component. Horses may compete in an International Hunter Derby without being enrolled, but horses must be enrolled to be eligible for inclusion on the regional and national money won tracking lists, and to participate in the 2014 Derby Championship. A minimum of 60% of all enrollment fees collected in each region will be paid out to the top six horses on each regional Horse Money Won list at the conclusion of the 2013-14 series in November 2014.