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Julia Koetting and Chilara Led the Hunt for $10,000

Thunderbird Show Park Holds Inaugural Hunter Derby

August 16, 2008

Langley, BC --- Hedges, trees, bushes and flowers marked the challenging course that lay ahead for thirty-one competitors in Saturday’s $10,000 International Hunter Derby. Taking their cue from a traditional hunt, riders tackled natural-looking obstacles on their way to the finish line and an artificial fox.

The class was inspired by riding legend, George Morris, who sought to breath life into the discipline and return to the roots of the field hunter. Taking place in the Fort Langley Grand Prix jumper ring, the Hunter Derby is judged differently than a jumper class where the winner is determined by time and faults. Hunters are judged subjectively on the their leg, seat, hands, straightness of the horse and quality of the jump.

With two rounds, two sets of judges and options at several of the jumps, each ride was different than the last. Scores were attained from two pairs of judges and added together for a first round result. Riders that chose the harder side of optioned fences achieved higher values.

At the end of round one, the top twelve regrouped for the second round, a handy hunter challenge that tested their ability to open gates, navigate banks and turns, while making it look effortless. The score they achieved in the first round would be combined with their second to determine the winner.

California’s Julia Koetting delivered two free-flowing rides on her scopey mount, Chilara, posting the winning score of 378. Jack Hammond, from Washington, had a round that was everything the judges were looking for, but a lower first round score landed him in second with 362.5. Third place went to local rider, Langley’s Lindsay Uyesugi and OZ at 345.

The $10,000 International Hunter Derby is part of the new Northwest Summer Circuit. Thunderbird Show Park and the Washington State Hunter and Jumper Association came together earlier this year to connect existing tournaments into a three-week circuit. Last week, the Evergreen Classic at Remlinger Farms Equestrian Park in Washington kicked off the circuit before competition moved to Thunderbird this week and continues next week.

The Northwest Summer Circuit offers more than $200,000 in prize money and includes two hunter style derby challenges on grass. Riders who compete in all three tournaments as part of the Northwest Summer Circuit will be eligible for extra prize money. As an incentive to complete the circuit, the top jumper rider and top hunter rider will receive $10,000.

For more information, please visit our site at www.thunderbirdshowpark.com. Thunderbird offers grandstand seating and complimentary parking and admission.

For further information on visiting the park or conducting telephone interviews with organizers, sponsors or riders, contact Pamela Saunders at Mark My Words PR via phone at 604-833-3372 or by email at pam@markmywordspr.com. Pamela will be on site this weekend from 4pm to 7pm on Friday, 3pm to 8pm on Saturday and noon to 4pm on Sunday.

$10,000 International Hunter Derby Top 6
1. Julia Koetting		Chilara		California	378
2. Jack Hammond	Edison		Washington	362.5
3. Lindsay Uyesugi	Oz		Langley		345
4. Katie Kraft		Maja		Alberta		331
5. Katie Waring		Leonida		Vancouver	328.5
6. OJ Berkes		Cupid		Washington	318

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