A hunter derby fence at Wrenwood Stables in Naples, FL

The USHJA has recently created the International Hunter Derby Series, where riders qualify for the champsionship by accumulating points at specific shows up and down the East and West coasts. The class specifications are listed on the USHJA website, for farms that are interested in hosting a hunter derby.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending a local hunter derby at Someday Farms in Erin, Ontario (Canada).  The obstacles were a mix of hunter fences (that you might find in a standard hunter class) as well as some natural obstacles you would see on a cross country course.  (To see a short video, visit MyHorseChat.com’s Facebook page.)

Also, you can check out the pictures on Flickr.com.

A hunter derby is a great way to shake up your show schedule. The challenges that you will find on a typical hunter derby course will certainly compliment your existing jumping discipline while exposing your horse to new things.

The FEI jog where horses are tested for soundess prior to the week’s competitions is being held today at 9:00am and results of any disqualified or withdrawn horses will be posted later today.

Watch world-class showjumping at the Spruce Meadows Masters

To learn more about the Masters, click on the link for the event schedule.

If you are interested in watching the Masters on television, check the the television schedule which also includes live online streaming during competition!

Good luck to all of the competitors!

For those who compete over fences or who have young horses, there is an equitation class where participants are judged on the pair’s walk, trot and canter as well as 4 jumps. Additional marks are awarded for obedience and overall impression. There is also an in-hand class, available to certain horse types.

Compete online with InterDressage.com!

InterDressage.com is perfect for those who aren’t quite ready for the show ring, don’t have access to regular coaching and would like feedback on their performance, whose horses do not trailer well or even those who would like to compete for fun.

Show Ring Ready is a good source of practical knowledge about horse shows, including types of tack that are appropriate for each division, stabling ettiquette and much more for hunter/jumper shows.

(Just note that the rules noted are Equine Canada rules, and you need to refer to your local governing body for rules that apply to your equine jurisdiction.)

Tips and advice for hunters and jumpers

While some argue that the reason “mid-size” horses do not fit easily into the show ring is because they are unable to make the distances to make them successful. However, the reality is that not all riders are suited to large, big-moving horses. Many feel more comfortable on a horse that takes up their leg without feeling like they are being overpowered.

Breeder P. Wynn Norman, owner of Sportponies Unlimited and breeder of the late eventing sport-pony Theodore O’Connor, feels strongly about the need for a division that could draw large crowds for riders on mid-sized horses.

She says on the Sportponies Unlimited website:

“….debates about heights, distances and qualifications are all part of the sport’s “big picture.” In an ideal world, decisions about such things would reflect the philosophy, mission and vision of the sport and its leadership. Indeed, I argue that a sport’s national governing body should be philosophically, as well as financially, sound. And I wonder if anyone in USEF (The United States Equestrian Federation, the national governing body of equestrian sports) ever addresses the big picture, such as that illustrated by this big, gaping hole?”

Click on the link to learn more about the Shetland Pony Grand National, or on the video below to see the ponies and their diminutive riders in action.

They report on local competitions, horses for sale and other equine news. Tune into any one of these horse television shows to get your daily equine fix!

Click here for a Comcast TV schedule featuring Equus.

This will be the 156th show, and takes place Monday, June 1-Sunday, June 7, 2009.

Upperville is the oldest horse show in the United States. It runs for seven days, and has over “two thousand horse and rider combinations from young children on ponies to leading Olympic and World Cup riders and horses.”

If you are interested in learning more about the show, visit their website at The Upperville Horse Show or simply check out the video feed at Equestrian Sport TV.

For more on the top riders at this year’s Rolex event, check out the competition’s website RK3DE.com.

Here is an interesting photo montage of some of the event’s cross-country highlights.

If you would like to learn more about eventing, check out the United States Eventing Association (USEA) or Equine Canada for more information.

If you would like to attend the event in Lexington, KY then visit the Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event website for ticket sales and venue information.

Photo by Ronald C. Yochum, Jr.