The 2010 $100,000 The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals is set to kick-off, August 20 with a field of 61 riders.  They will be narrowed down to the top 25 who will compete in the second round, August 21.  After that, the top 12 will return to compete over a handy hunter course.  Once the scores from both August 21 rounds are tallied the 2010 champion will be named.

Last year Californian John French, aboard Rumba (owned by Stacey Siebel),  took home the title while Jennifer Alfano, Buffalo, NY, who was the International Hunter Derby series champion,, took reserve championship honors. .    Alfano and Jersey Boy   earned back-to-back Derby series championship honors.  Her score of 24,900 points on Jersey Boy has a strong lead over second-place finisher Castle Rock, ridden by Louise Serio and owned by Bryan Baldwin of Meralex Farm. 

Alfano was awarded the George H. Morris Perpetual Trophy, donated by Diane Carney, August 19 to honor their remarkable series victory.  Jersey Boy, an 8-year-old chestnut, Warmblood gelding, from Susie Schoellkopf’s SBS Farm, helped Alfano to win  four classes and rank in the top 12 in three others in the series, which offers 36 classes in all.   Alfano earned  $24,900 for her efforts.  Her groom, Erin McMurray, was also awarded a $250 cash Groom’s Award.

Spectators can watch the Derby action for free starting at 8 a.m.  August 20 in the beautiful indoor arena of the Kentucky Horse Park in the heart of Lexington, KY.  The events on August 21 begin at 6:30 p.m.   In addition to watching on site, you can also watch live at www.equestrianlife.com/derby.   Leading off the first qualifying round on Friday morning will be Lillie Keenan on Valedictorian.

The round will be scored by eight judges, including Kitty Barker, VA; Rob Bielefeld, FL; Ralph Caristo, NY; Bob Crandall, VA; Linda Hough, FL; George Morris, FL; Danny Robertshaw, SC; and Chrystine Tauber, FL.  The courses will be designed by Bobby Murphy, KY and Patrick Rodes, TX.

Sponsoring this event: Title Sponsor: The Chronicle of the Horse, Presenting Sponsor: Dietrich and Company Insurance, Major Sponsors: Charles Owen, Inc., Dover Saddlery, Award Sponsors: Ann Hubbard Tack Shop, Essex Classics, The Clothes Horse, DermaSpa RX EQ, Frantisi & Grand Prix, Personalized Products, McGuinn Farms, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital

This event is produced by the United States Hunter Jumper Association. The USHJA, is the official national affiliate for the Hunter/Jumper discipline promotes our sport, offers broad-based education for our members, and provides the framework for the conduct of our sport. 

The USHJA is located at the Kentucky Horse Park, 3870 Cigar Lane, Lexington, KY 40511

For more information about the 2010 The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby contact Melanie Fransen at 859-225-6717 or mfransen@ushja.org.