Frequently Asked Questions

Applying to Host a Member Event Derby Class

What is the deadline to apply to host a Member Event Derby class?

Applications for the upcoming International Hunter Derby Qualifying Series are accepted from September 1 until November 1 of each year.

Is there a limit to the number of Derby classes one management company may apply for?

There is no limit to the number of Derby classes for which one management company may apply.

If we have a "series," may we apply for more than one Derby in the series?

Yes. You may apply for more than one Derby class in the series. The USHJA High Performance Hunter Committee, with approval of the USHJA Board of Directors, removed the limit on the number of competitions allowed to host USHJA International Derby classes, starting with the 2012-13 Qualifying Series.

What does the USHJA provide to the competition?

Upon receipt of the signed Host Agreement, USHJA shall provide advertising of the Derby class in USHJA E-Update, In Stride magazine and on www.ushja.org. For each individual Derby, USHJA shall provide logos, class specifications, banners and signage. In addition, USHJA shall provide each Derby with three sets of ribbons, plus a cooler and trophy, and our sponsors may provide additional awards.

Can we expect a USHJA representative to attend our Derby?

A USHJA representative is not assigned to attend each individual Derby class. Several USHJA representatives are available to address any questions that may arise regarding Derby class specifications or judging procedures during the course of your competition.

If we get a sponsor for our Derby, how can we acknowledge them in the press releases?

The official title of the Derby is USHJA International Hunter Derby. Should a competition procure a local sponsor, said sponsor may be acknowledged in the following manner:

USHJA International Hunter Derby
Hosted by Local Sponsor
Due to trademark regulations, your class sponsor cannot be included in the title line "USHJA International Hunter Derby" and may only be acknowledged under this title line.

Competing in Member Event Derby Classes

How do I qualify for the 2013 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship?

Horses are ranked according to money won in USHJA International Hunter Derby classes throughout each Derby Qualifying Series. Each horse on the Derby Money Won ranking list that has won a minimum of $500 is automatically qualified for the 2013 Derby Championship. Additionally the top three placing horses from the 2012 Derby Championship are automatically qualified for the 2013 Championship.

How many horses can one rider qualify for the 2013 Championship?

A rider is not limited to a maximum number of horses in the 2013 Championship, provided each horse has earned at least $500 during the qualifying period.

Does my horse have to be recorded with both USHJA and USEF to compete in a Derby class?

Yes. In order to compete in a USHJA International Hunter Derby, a horse must be registered with USHJA and recorded with USEF. In turn, each horse that places in each round and/or the overall results will receive National Horse of the Year bonus points and/or money.

General Questions

Who is eligible to compete?

Anyone is eligible to compete in a USHJA International Hunter Derby, whether a junior, amateur or professional rider. Please note that each rider must complete the USHJA Exhibitor Declaration Form in order for National Horse of the Year points/money to be awarded.

How are the classes judged?

There are four judges for each Derby class who will be seated separately in two panels consisting of two judges each. In both the Classic Hunter Style Round (first round) and the Handy Hunter Round (second round) each judging panel will award a numerical base score based on quality, movement, jumping style, manners and way of going. Each panel will also award an Option Bonus Score consisting of one additional point for each higher-height fence option jumped. The total score of each panel will be added together to form an overall first round score and determine the first round winner. In the Handy Hunter Round, each judging panel will award an additional Handy Bonus Score between zero and 10 to each horse-and-rider combination to reward handiness. Again, the total score of each panel will be added together to form an overall second round score and determine the second round winner. The overall scores from each round will then be added together to determine the overall winner.

What are the fence heights?

Fences must be set at 3'6" to 4'0" with the exception of the four option fences, which must be set at 4'0" to 4'3" in height. No more than 50% of the course may be set at 3'6" in height.

What types of fences are jumped?

Fences must simulate those reminiscent of the hunt field, such as natural post and rail, stone wall, white board fence or gate, coop, aiken, hedge, oxer, brush, logs, and natural foliage. Banks and ditches are allowed; however, opening and/or closing a gate while mounted or not mounted is prohibited.

What are bonus points, and how are they awarded?

There are two types of bonus points in the USHJA International Hunter Derby. In each round, there are four higher-height option fences to be set at 4'0" to 4'3". Each horse-and-rider combination will be awarded one extra point toward an Option Bonus score for each higher-height option fence jumped. In the Handy Hunter Round, judges must award a Handy Bonus Score of zero to 10 points based on handiness of the round. Pace and brilliance, as well as opting for tighter turns and clever approaches to jumps, are to be rewarded. In the first round, the Option Bonus points are added to the numerical base score to determine an overall score. In the Handy Round, both the Handy Bonus points and the Option Bonus points are added to the numerical base score to determine the overall score for each horse-and-rider combination.

How does my placing in a Derby impact my horse's points toward National HOTY awards?

Bonus points are awarded to each horse's respective hunter section as declared on the USHJA Exhibitor Declaration Form. Horses ridden by Professionals may not declare Junior or Amateur hunter sections for bonus points. Horses declared for open sections will also be awarded the value of their money won for the declared hunter section. The point structure is as follows:

Note: The USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship has a separate point structure that can be found in the USEF Rule Book HU186 (10).

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