Inaugural USHJA International and National Hunter Derby Regional Championships Kick Off in Kentucky

Lexington, Ky.—June 21, 2021—The first regional championships for the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby and USHJA National Hunter Derby took place for the North Central Region at the Split Rock Hunter Jumper Classic I CSI2*, June 9-13, in Lexington, Kentucky. 

International Hunter Derby Competition Returns to the Rolex Stadium

Veteran Derby rider Havens Schatt of Georgetown, Kentucky, bested a field of 19 for the title of International Hunter Derby North Central Regional Champion aboard Cascartini, a Holsteiner gelding owned by Ken and Amy Wexler LLC. Greg Crolick of Clarkston, Michigan, finished reserve and third aboard Handwritten, a Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Jon Cotton, and Renaud Farm’s Polish Warmblood gelding Kuore, respectively. 

“I think our first International Hunter derby was really well received,” said Derek Braun, Split Rock Jumping Tour founder and manager. “We had a creative design to the arena which made for an extremely unique course layout with spectacular brand new jumps. It has been a huge learning curve for us hosting our first event including hunters, but we are quick learners and committed to making an experience like no other for our exhibitors.”

Five Regional Championships remain for the International Hunter Derby Program, in addition to the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship in Kentucky, August 19-21. Exhibitors do not need to qualify for the Championships and may choose to compete in any one regional of their choice. As part of a new requirement for the International Hunter Derby program in 2021, horses must be enrolled to be eligible to participate in International Hunter Derby classes, regional championships and the national championship. Remaining International Hunter Derby Regional Championships are as follows:

  • North—July 6-11, I Love New York, Lake Placid, N.Y.
  • Northwest—September 1-5, Northwest Spectacular, Wilsonville, Ore.
  • South—September 8-12, Aiken Fall Festival I, Aiken, S.C.
  • South Central—September 22-26, Southwest Showdown, Katy, Texas
  • Southwest—November 9-12, National Sunshine Series II, Thermal, Calif.

Champions of the Regional Championships are awarded a shirt from Essex Classics and gift card for Platinum Performance products. Reserve Champions also receive a gift card to Platinum Performance.

Inaugural National Hunter Derby Regionals Provide Exciting Opportunity for Amateurs, Juniors and Professionals

The Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park also played host to the National Hunter Derby North Central Regional Championship, with 67 horse and rider combinations vying for the Champion title in three sections: Open, Amateur and Junior. 

Sam Berry piloted Brittany Haugh’s Denver S to the top of the field of 18 in the Open section with Havens Schatt and Caroline Moran’s Havana earning the Reserve. 

“It’s always a lot of fun to win any class, but it feels extra special to hold your own against some of the more experienced competitors,” said Berry. “It was a really exciting day for me and I am just super appreciative of the nice horses I get to ride and the people that trust me to do what’s best for their horses.”

The Amateur section saw the most entries with 27 horse and riders contesting Joe Carnicom’s designed course. Erika Jakobson and Barn Rat LLC’s Nobel Laureate were crowned Champions. Just two points off the lead were Jessie Rose Lewis and Wendy Kampinski’s La Reve SCF earning the reserve. 

Berry, who often has Junior or Amateur clients that compete in National Hunter Derbies, really liked the concept of three separate sections for the Regional Championships. “I think it’s a great idea and it’s a way to even the playing field so people are competing against who they should be competing against. I always love when the derbies are split. It makes it feel really special. [Split Rock] did a really great job making it feel special and dedicating a whole day to it.” 

Juniors also saw strong competition with Campbell Brown and MMK Equestrian LLC’s Fleetwood topping the class of 22 and Rory Caskey earning reserve aboard Checkpoint Charlie, owned by Nourah Caskey. 

National Hunter Derby exhibitors also have five other regional championships to choose from:

  • Southwest—June 16-20, Blenheim June Classic II, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
  • North—August 4-8, New York Horse & Pony Show, Saugerties, N.Y.
  • South—August 11-1, Lexington National Horse Show, Lexington, Va.
  • Northwest—September 1-5, Northwest Spectacular, Wilsonville, Ore.
  • South Central—September 22-26, Southwest Showdown, Katy, Texas

The National Hunter Derby Regional Championships will follow the same two-round format as the regular National Hunter Derby Class, and each championship will be offered in three sections: Open, Amateurs and Juniors. Qualifying is not required and exhibitors may participate in any one Regional Championship of their choice. Winners of the Regional Championships may receive a gift certificate to CWD or an Essex Classics shirt.

The USHJA would like to extend a special thanks to Regional Championship hosts Split Rock Jumping Tour and Derek Braun; Blenheim Equisports and Stephanie Wheeler; HITS and Tom Struzzieri; Southbound Show Management and Patrick Rodes; Desert Horse Park International and Steve Hankin; Equus Events and JP Godard; Virginia Horse Center Foundation; and Campf Horse Shows & Productions, Inc. and Mike Gallaway. 

The USHJA also thanks Platinum Performance for their title sponsorship of the International Hunter Derby Championships; USHJA Official sponsors CWD, Parlanti, Nutrena, and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Veterinary Pharmacy; and championship sponsors Essex Classics, Boy-O-Boy Bridleworks, The Clothes Horse and Shapley’s. 

Photo: Rachel Sowinski/USHJA