English Riding
Hunt Tosh waited in anticipation after his final round. He’d dominated the first round and after a powerful second round he thought there was a chance this night could be his. It wasn’t until the scores went up that he knew he’d become the winner of the second annual 2010 $100,000 The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals.
It was August 21, the night everyone had been anxiously waiting for, and there were only two more rounds to go before Tosh’s victory was secured. Being held in the lovely venue of the indoor arena at the Kentucky Horse Park only added to the thrill and for a touch of class and tradition, black tie dress was asked.
Those who placed in the top 25 after the qualifying round held August 20, battled it out in a Classic Hunter round to determine the top 12. Winner of the qualifier, Scott Stewart, 2nd place Jennifer Alfano, and 3rd place Liza Boyd, were among the few showing. The high scores these riders obtained in the previous round would not help them here. At the start of the second round all points were erased. Everyone started with a clean slate.
Louise Serio, of Kennett Sq., PA kicked off the first of two final rounds, riding Rock Star, a 12-year-old, bay Warmblood. Listen, a 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood, owned by Jane Gaston and ridden by Kelley Farmer, Keswick, VA, claimed the 25th spot.
Louise Serio navigated Rock Star, owned by Bright Star 158 LLC, through a beautiful course, earning a 348, but it was the 10th spot rider, out of Camden, SC, Liza Boyd and Brunello who stole the show early on bringing in an incredible 384. Three rides later however Tosh, of Alpharetta, GA, did what was thought impossible, he upped the bar a whole 10 points, earning a 394, on Lonestar.
After all 25 navigated over the hedges, through the circle of hay bales, under the arch and around the gazebo a winner was announced. Tosh and Lonestar, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, could not be beat out. Scoring an unbelievable 394 left a comfortable margin between Tosh and the rest. Coming in close after Boyd was Stewart on Summer Place (375).
The talented 12 were the lucky recipients of stall plaques, Charles Owen Helmets and Essex gift certificates, along with being able to compete in the final round.
Top 12 Go On To the Final Round
Those that made the cut didn’t have long to rest before the next round. The third and final round was a Handy Hunter- type class and took place right after the completion of round two. The scores from both classes were added together to come up with a final winner.
Exceptional hunter riding was showcased throughout the class starting off with Maggie Jayne, Elquin, IL and Sander, owned by Pony Lane Farm, who had a final score of 736. However, it was 12-year-old Victoria Colvin, who really won the crowd over. On her trip with World Time she received a score of 403, which when combined with her other round gave her an overall score of 756. However, Tosh and partner Lonestar managed to stay on top after scoring 396 in the second round for a final total of 790, becoming the 2010 International Hunter Derby Finals Champion.
When the class was over and Hunt commented on the night. His wife Mandy and 4-year-old daughter Madison watched proudly as Hunt spoke about the courses he negotiated and how his talented horse Lonestar put the icing on the cake this night after an incredible 2010 line up of victories. In the first round Tosh put Lone Star to the test but after his 394 score he decided “to play it safe so I could just hang in there,” he later commented.
Coming in Second was the winner from the qualifying round, Stewart on Summer Place. “I just had to go for it,” quoted Stewart, which in fact worked for him. He took all the high options and didn’t play it safe.
The third-place title was owned by Boyd on Brunello, who only had one thing she would change about her ride. “I would have ridden him to the base of the one fence a little more, but who knows, then something else could have happened.”
The champion Tosh was awarded with a crystal trophy donated by Wrenwood Farms and Mrs. Jenny Sutton. The winning rider received the Beaver River Farm Perpetual trophy donated by Ron Danta and Danny Robertshaw. Champion and Reserve, Stewart, were honored with a custom bit box designed exclusively for the USHJA Hunter Derby Finals by McQuinn Farms.
Sponsoring this event: Title Sponsor: The Chronicle of the Horse, Presenting Sponsor: Dietrich and Company Insurance, Major Sponsors: Charles Owen, Inc., Dover Saddlery, Award Sponsors: Ann Hubbard Tack Shop, Essex Classics, The Clothes Horse, DermaSpa RX EQ, Frantisi & Grand Prix, Personalized Products, McGuinn Farms, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital.
Year two of the Derby Finals brought many thousands of spectators to the Finals both onsite and online. As a result of the popularity and the excitement generated by the Finals, the online viewing provided by EquestiranLife.com had over ten times as many viewers as the inaugural year. Those who didn’t have a chance to watch live can still view the Hunter Derby in its entirety by going to EquestrianLife.com/derby.
For more information about the 2010 The Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby contact Melanie Fransen at 859-225-6717 or mfransen@ushja.org.
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