Hunter Derbies, Derby Horses!

[GreyHntr]

Hi, All.
I am curious – what defines a derby horse? I notice they tend to be a bit more animated, per say, and offer a little more “oomf” than your typical hunter.

I am familiar with hunters and jumpers, however I have not stepped foot into hunter derby territory. I ask partially because people have told me that my mare is a derby horse and I can see maybe why, but I want to hear from others.
So, what defines a derby horse to you? Must haves? Must not haves? What sets one apart from the crowd, and, what sets a derby horse apart from a regular hunter?
Thanks in advance!

[Redlei44]

First and foremost must have the scope to (easily and stylishly) do the the 4’. Nice to have one that has the scope to do the 4’6" options when offered. Obviously must have a good enough brain to handle the derby/natural jumps. I personally like seeing one with a little more “flair” than the typical working hunter because it makes it a unique class - unfortunately I’ve heard complaints from others that the judging often favors the most standard show hunter way of going (I don’t watch enough classes to know one way or the other).

[Didi]

To add to Redlei44, a derby horse must be very handy. By that I mean must be able to execute tight turns, regulate speed, and take obstacles from a short distance gracefully while also being able to lengthen its stride when required without the more “frantic” - for lack of a better word - pace of a jumper. The point of the Derby - at least originally - was to more closely mimic the types of obstacles, paces, turns, one might find in the hunt field. Derby horses should be elegant and have a forward, looking through the bridle way of going. They are very rare, but a LOT of fun to watch!

[Oliver4Ever]

Go look at Derby winners on YouTube.

[blondewithchrome]

I agree with Redlei44 - lots of scope. I would add “brilliance” in the sense that good derby horses seem to hunt for and love the large fences. They just seem so “game” and would be amazing in the hunt field. A good pace, tons of air, a great expression. The good ones make you stop and go - wow. Look at Brunellos winning rounds. Just absolutely brilliant.

[vxf111]

Literally every seller says this about literally every horse. I have no idea what it means anymore since there are apparently ground pole derbies at some shows.

If you mean USHJA bigtime derby horses, I think of ones with a lot of scope that are fairly back cracking jumpers and maybe just a smidge fresher/brighter than your horses doing the inside outside inside outside. It used to be that you had to open gates and trot jumps and mount/dismount etc. so I would have said also a little more broke to that sort of stuff-- except that seems to have faded away and is rarely asked for anymore.

[Justice]

Any 3’6 horse can do a USHJA derby and jump all of the high options… the true derby horses are as a pp mentioned shown off in the handy round, which is meant to be a treat for the judges. In a good field, you need to take risks which makes the class exciting and calls for a game horse who is looking for the jumps. For the International Derbies, same story but you need an incredibly bold, scopey horse and the handy bonus points can really give you an edge. This is more when the specialists come in, it takes a lot of horse to roll back to those high options.

[jumpoff87]

Watch Private Practice’s rounds with Tori Colvin from the 2018 Derby Finals. That horse is a lean, mean jumping machine - which I personally prefer wayyyy more than the obese Scott Stewart hunters that plop over 3’6 at a snails pace.
If Private Practice hadn’t stuck off the ground the teeny, tiniest amount to the white gate jump in the handy, he would’ve scored a perfect 100. Brilliance, endless scope - some of those high options are HUGE - and a good brain are key. There’s a reason a lot of converted jumpers (Private Practice, Baranus, Lafitte de Muze) excel in the derby ring.

[HonestPersonFakeAcco]

@jumpoff87

Brilliance, endless scope - some of those high options are HUGE - and a good brain are key. There’s a reason a lot of converted jumpers (Private Practice, Baranus, Lafitte de Muze) excel in the derby ring.

100% agree that those are three perfect ones to watch if you want an example of derby “prototypes” at the highest level.

[GoodTimes]

At the highest levels they are truly special.

At the local or regional levels then any hunter who is brave and handy can do well. Think equitation horse with a rounder jump.
Roll backs, jumping on an angle, skinnies, trot jumps, tons of fill, etc.

And you want to make it look like the horse knows the course itself. If you really have to steer then it isn’t pretty.