Lake St. Louis Winter Series Horse Show manager Tommy McIntyre put together another spectacular event that ran through the first weekend in December and featured the ASG Software Solutions/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby on December 5, 2008. Held at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, MO, the class was a challenging combination of grace and courage that tested exhibitors’ horsemanship and wowed spectators.

“It was an honor, a privilege and a challenge to host the Derby,” McIntyre said after the event. “Hosting such an important class and being sure that it is presented properly, not only to the exhibitors, but also to the spectators is no mean task.”

The Derby class attracted 32 entries and featured courses reminiscent of the hunt field. Each hunter derby consists of a traditional hunter course and a handy hunter course. The top 12 riders from the traditional round are invited to ride the handy hunter course and contend for top honors. Derby courses are built to encourage and reward brilliance and daring from the rider and true athletic ability from the horse.

“I was very pleased with the way my staff rose to the occasion and presented a top-notch class for all. The 32 entries in the class represented some of the top horses in the country,” McIntyre said.

Chris Payne rode away with the win aboard Walk This Way, a 16.2-hand gelding owned by Susan Moriconi of St. Louis, MO. Payne and the six-year-old bay finished second in the traditional round behind Accord and Kirstie Dobbs and then put in an impressive handy round to win the Derby’s top honor.

The Lake St. Louis Holiday Series Hunter Derby was the first derby held in the new competition year, which began December 1, 2008. The 18-month Derby series continues into June 2009. The top 75 money earning horse will be invited to compete in the $100,000 2008/2009 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals on August 21 -22, 2009, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. For up-to-date standings, visit www.ushja.org/ihd/standings.shtml.

Visit www.ushja.org for a complete schedule and more information. Questions concerning the Derby can be directed to Melanie Fransen, USHJA’s Director of Programs and Education, at [email protected] or (859) 225-6960.