The clock is ticking down for the start of the second annual The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals, which will be held at the new indoor arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, August 20-21.

The Hunter Derby is rooted in tradition and all trainers, owners, and spectators are encouraged to make August 21 a “Black Tie Affair” and wear formal or evening attire. A full schedule of Derby events is available on the Derby website.

The two days of competition will feature the top 75 horses based on the 12-month qualifying period from June 2, 2009, through June 1, 2010. The first day of the Finals, all 75 horses will compete over a qualifying course featuring hunter derby style fences, which will include height and handy options.

“It is very exciting to watch the evolution of the program from where it started, and by just our second series how far it has come,” said Ron Danta, High Performance Hunter Committee Chairman. “I feel our Derby horses have more experience this year and are more seasoned. We have raised the bar in what we are expecting with the hunters, and I expect it to be a very exciting event.”

The Derby Series and Final was developed to bring the lost art of tradition and horsemanship back to the show ring and was created to bring show hunters to the international level, to increase spectator, media and sponsorship interest and to bring tradition and basic riding principles back to the sport of showing hunters.

Filling the judge’s box will be Kitty Barker, Rob Bielefeld, Ralph Caristo, Bob Crandall, Linda Hough, George Morris, Danny Robertshaw, and Chrystine Tauber.

Bobby Murphy and Patrick Rodes will serve as course designers. Karen Golding and Peter Lane will be the stewards.

The 2009/2010 USHJA International Hunter Derby Series & Final is supported by the following sponsors: The Chronicle of the Horse - Title Sponsor; Dietrich Insurance-Presenting Sponsor; Charles Owen & Co.-Major Sponsor; Dover Saddlery-Major Sponsor; Essex Classics-Award Sponsor; The Clothes Horse-Award Sponsor.

For more information on the USHJA International Hunter Derby visit the USHJA website at www.ushja.org/IHD/Default.aspx or contact Melanie Fransen at (859) 225.6717 or [email protected].