Tag Archives: Hunter Derby

Jacksonville Winter Series – Hunter Derby Jan. 14, 2012

Jennifer Alfano on Jersey Boy © Teri Rehkopf, HorsesintheSouth.com

I finally got to see an indoor hunter derby under the lights at the huge covered arena at the Clay County Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, FL (just south of Jacksonville) at the annual Jacksonville Winter Series.  I missed it last year due to other commitments I had, but made it to the USHJA $25,000 International Hunter Derby this year. Read more about the derby and the Jax Winter Series here.

Every year I get to see the  hunter classes and the grand prix jumping, but I haven’t seen a hunter derby other than what I can see online. I was really cool and not what I expected – a lot faster! Hard to shoot pictures and figure out a good spot to be in, but I got a few good shots anyway.

I was really great to see some of the hunter riders here that we put articles online about. It’s amazing that some of these riders can do so many different horses all in one class, too! Kelly Farmer rode 6 horses; Jennifer Alfano, who won the class on Jersey Boy, rode 4 horses; Liza Boyd rode 2 horses. Talk about being in shape – what athletes these women are. They are all winners in my eyes, including the 15 year old young lady that rode!

As usual, the North Florida Hunter Jumper Association put on a great dinner before the show with viewing access to the whole ring. I will definitely be making it to the next hunter derby that we have in close proximity.

Kelly Farmer on Bases Loaded © Teri Rehkopf, HorsesintheSouth.com

We are overwhelmed with shows in our area and I wish I could go see them all. On my list next is to go to a combined driving show. Here’s hoping we have good weather since these aren’t in a nice covered arena. I have been shooting pictures in the covered arena during a rain with the wind blowing hard and gotten slightly wet and cold. That’s no fun, lol. We Floridians aren’t used to the cold. It went from 21 degrees in the morning 2 days ago back up to 78 degrees today!

This weekend is my dressage club’s schooling show and it’s supposed to rain. We desperately need the rain here as we are so dry and my pastures need it, but can’t it be when it’s not the day of a show?

Atlanta Summer Classics Finale Packed with Big Awards

Samuel Parot and Costa Real Win Outback Steakhouse Gamblers Choice; Taylor Ann Adams Named Grand Puba Junior Champion; Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z Triumphant in $35,000 Outback Steakhouse Grand Prix

Wilhelm Genn & Happy Z. All photos © Flashpoint Photography

Conyers, GA — June 26, 2011 — The Atlanta Summer Classics wrapped up competition at the Georgia International Horse Park, awarding nearly $300,000 in prize money and raising thousands for local charities over the two week run. “We’ve had some of the best riders in our sport joining us; it’s been a remarkable series and I couldn’t be happier,” Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, said.

Starting off the finale week was a couple of highly anticipated clinics on Tuesday, beginning with a member of the $1 million dollar club, famed Grand Prix pro Wilhelm Genn, sharing his secrets of mastering water jumps. Sponsored by the United States Hunter Jumper Association, Genn used the covered arena to set a mini course of six jumps, two with water hazards and utilized approximately ten horses to demonstrate proper and improper approaches. Speaking over a wireless microphone to riders and trainers for nearly two hours, Genn answered questions and provided helpful tips to “boost a horse’s confidence” when confronting water obstacles. Following was a very informative Pony Model Clinic with one of the foremost experts in this area, Bibby Farmer from Ocala, FL. She carefully explained to the young exhibitors not only what judges look for, but how to get the best from their ponies. Covering all the essentials from the pony’s stance to where the exhibitors’ attentions need to be when a judge is walking about them. On Thursday evening it was the judges who found themselves in the proverbial hot seats for an open forum called Just Ask the Judges, sponsored by Practical Horseman magazine. Three of the most respected names in judging, Betty Oare, Scott Fitton, and Barry Lobel, fielded questions from exhibitors and provided insight on scoring in the Hunter/Jumper disciplines. The panel also shared several of what they referred to as Judges’ Pet Peeves, which included overly short releases, especially in the Equitation divisions. All the experts agreed a restrictive release interferes with the horse’s jumping style, but pointed out that that doesn’t imply they want to see the opposite extreme with the infamous overdone throwing of the arms release.  Another peeve they described was the exaggerated tour taken upon entering the ring, stating that if a rider needs to show their mount the ring and/or the fences then the rider appears unprepared. Questions were asked on a wide range of subjects and guests left the forum armed with a lot of valuable information. “The clinics were a giant success and we [Classic Company] will be introducing more of these throughout out show schedule,” Bell commented.

Continue reading Atlanta Summer Classics Finale Packed with Big Awards

Huckleberry Finn and Sarah Tyndall Capture Victory in $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby at Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic

Sarah Tyndall and Huckleberry Finn won the $10,000 3'3” Hunter Derby at the Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic. Photos copyright Tony DeCosta

Halifax, MA – June 24, 2011 – The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic held their $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby today and it was Sarah Tyndall and Huckleberry Finn, owned by Susan Huyett of Concord, MA, who excelled through two rounds for the win. The Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic runs through Saturday, June 25, 2011, and is hosted by Fieldstone Equestrian in Halifax, Massachusetts.

The “AA” rated show features exciting competitions for hunters and jumpers including tomorrow’s highlight class, the $25,000 Grand Prix.

In the first round of the $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby, Tyndall and Huckleberry Finn went third and received scores of 83 and 84 from the two sets of judges, plus coordinating bonus points of three and three for a total of 173. After the rest of the entries finished, they stood on top of the standings with a four point margin.

Tyndall described her round, “My first round was pretty good. I thought I was a little deep to one oxer and we had a quite a rub. On the way to the coop, there was some standing water and he actually leapt over it. I kept cantering to the next jump and luckily it worked out. It was a bonus jump!”

Coming into the second round, Tyndall admitted that she was nervous, with all of her students from Stoneymeade Farm (Acton, MA) watching and cheering her on. Tyndall said, “All of my kids were here watching me and putting the pressure on! I just wanted to go in there and have fun, and we did.”

Continue reading Huckleberry Finn and Sarah Tyndall Capture Victory in $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby at Plymouth Rock Hunter Jumper Classic

Kelley Farmer and Rosalynn Win $20,000 USHJA Hunter Derby

Kelley Farmer & Rosalynn ©Flashpoint Photography

Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z Take $25,000 National Grand Prix

Green Cove Springs, FL – January 23, 2010 — Kelley Farmer, who hails from Keswick, VA, partnered with Rosalynn to capture the top spot of North Florida’s Inaugural $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsored by Jerry Parks Insurance, Great American Insurance Group and The Bruning Foundation, held Saturday under the lights of the covered arena at the Clay County Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, FL.

The evening was kicked off in the “Marques at Green Cove Springs”, the stylish and inviting VIP tent adjacent to the arena, with a delicious dinner provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill and a very special Live Auction to benefit HOPE Therapeutic Riding Center. “While we raised a lot of money for HOPE, the generous bidders were big winners too. They got some outstanding deals on an array of items- like the Sea World Aquatic package and the Golf World getaway,” Tony Weight, President of North Florida Hunter Jumper Association, said.

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