Antioch, IL – September 1, 2011 – Chicago Equestrians for a Cause is pleased to announce that the prize list for the 2011 Chicago Hunter Derby is now available online at www.chicagohunterderby.com. The $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby returns this year on September 11, 2011, presented by CN, and held at the beautiful Annali Farm in Antioch, IL. Chicago Equestrians for a Cause is proud to host its third annual event and has some exciting news to announce, including new judges, course designers, and classes.
The $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby will be held this year to benefit The Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago as well as the USHJA Foundation. A new addition to the event this year will be the three-foot USHJA National Hunter Classic, presented by Barrington Saddlery, to be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 10.
The USHJA National Hunter Classic presented by Barrington Saddlery will be judged by Sue Leep along with Ken Smith. In addition to judging the national class, Smith will also judge the USHJA International Hunter Derby alongside Steve Wall, Heidi Casciaro, and new judge Danny Robertshaw. Smith will be co-course designing with show manager Bobby Murphy as well.
No event can be successful without the help of many great supporters in this industry, and the Chicago Hunter Derby is lucky to have the very best involved with their competition. One of the most generous sponsors of the equestrian sport, CN will return as the title sponsor for 2011.
Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of CN, Keith Creel, has been fortunate enough to attend the Chicago Hunter Derby since its inception. On CN’s continued sponsorship of the event, Creel stated, “CN strongly believes in associating itself with events that benefit meaningful causes in the communities where our customers and employees live. We cannot think of a better fit partnering with the Derby to support the Children’s Memorial Hospital.”
Creel loves attending the event with his family and looks forward to this year’s competition. “The venue where the Derby is held is elegant and charming,” he noted. “It is a special place to take your family and friends. It provides a perfect setting to enjoy a Sunday afternoon watching some of the best competitors and horses the sport has to offer compete.”
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In addition to CN, and new sponsor Barrington Saddlery, Rocco Fiore and Sons will return as landscape design sponsor this year.
Other sponsors include: Ann K Hubbards tack shop, sponsor of the Riders’ Breakfast; Our Day Farm and Lynn Jayne, sponsors of the Exhibitors’ Party; Oros Saddlery, Grand Prix, and Personalized Products for prize donations; Telluride Farm and Diane Carney as jump sponsors; Kentucky Horse Shows LLC horse show management; the Score Board Guys – score board; Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. – media coverage; and Network Identity – web design.
The 2011 Chicago Hunter Derby is a 2011-12 Member Event of the USHJA International Hunter Derby Series. Following in the footsteps of its first two events, the Chicago Hunter Derby hopes to raise even more money for Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, a philanthropic group that donates money to significant charities, including the Children’s Memorial Hospital and the USHJA Foundation.
The USHJA Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to advance and promote the hunter and jumper disciplines by supporting the programs of the United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc. The Foundation offers numerous new initiatives, including the Horsemen’s Assistance Fund which benefits horses, individuals and organization in need of emergency relief.
The Chicago Hunter Derby is a very distinctive event that draws the very best hunters from all over the country to compete. The class is held on the beautiful grass in-field of an old steeplechase track with a stunning pond in the background, adding to the unique history and atmosphere of the setting.
