Cap Gun Circuit Hosts Special Huntfield Derby and Medal Classes

Press Release

Madison, WI – July 20, 2015 – The Cap Gun Circuit held a Huntfield Derby and Youth and Adult Medal Classes during their Quarter Horse Show June 17-21, at the new Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI. Classes included Open and Non-pro sections of the Derby, Open and Non-Pro sections for the Low Derby, the Amateur Medal and the Youth Medal.  Diane Carney, USEF R HU/EQ/JP judge of Antioch, IL and Lisa Krohn, a well respected AQHA and NSBA judge of Minneapolis, MN judged the event.
 
The National Quarter Horse League (NQHL) first began the Huntfield Derby Series in January 2012 at Fox Lea Farm, in Venice, FL and has since expanded to nine derby events being held across the country in 2015.  They recently added the Huntfield Working Hunter Under Saddle class.
 
“Ron Miller and his organization do a great job managing the show,” said Carney. “It is family friendly, organized and the hospitality is outstanding. It was a pleasure to be part of the Huntfield Derby and the Cap Gun Series.”
 
Taking the top prize in the Open Derby was Cool Man Jazz shown by Chad Sandoval, WI. Second place went to Huntin For A Minute shown by Jerry Erickson, TX with the third place spot going to Rockin Kelvis shown by Monika Zoromski, WI.
 
Sandoval also took the prize for the Non-Pro Derby with Cool Man Jazz. Second went to Zoromski with Rockin Kelvis and third to Invested by Surprise shown by Sydney Carpenter, WI.
 
Winners of the Low Derby were Slow Legs shown by Jerry Erickson, TX. Second went to Larks Royal Star shown by Jessie Rassmussen, WI and third went to Maximum Range shown by Jennifer Welhouse, WI.

“We were honored to have such wonderful judges,” said Jennifer Welhouse. “I think this event will grow and the quality of judging will be a major part of this being a success. I’m excited that AQHA has taken this seriously and is being supportive.”
 
The Huntfield Derby is similar to the United Stated Hunter Jumper Association’s (USHJA) International Hunter Derby Series, now offering classes with up to $100,000 in prize money and over $500,000 in finals prize money.
 
In the Huntfield Derby, obstacles must simulate those reminiscent of the hunt field and the course must offer a variety of jumps with different appearances as: natural post and rail, stone wall, white board fence or gate, coop, aiken, hedge, oxer, brush, logs, and natural foliage .Class will follow a hunter classic format:

1st round: Horses will jump a course of a minimum of eight jumps at 3’0 (LOW 2’6”) in height with at least two changes of direction. The option jumps at 3’3 in height. One bonus point will be awarded for each higher option taken. The Course must consist of at least one in and out (one stride or two stride), one bending line, and one long approach.

2nd round: The top twelve horses from round one will jumps a handy hunter course with a minimum of eight jumps at 3’0 (LOW 2’6”) in height. There must be three-four options jumps at 3’3 (LOW 2’9”) in height. One bonus point will be awarded for each higher option taken. The course should simulate a ride over hunt country and must include a minimum of three (3) of the following handy options, such as: tight turn options, different tracks, clever options for jump approaches including jumping decorations to utilize a shorter track, pen type obstacles, hand gallop a jumps, trot a lowered obstacle not to exceed 2’6 (LOW 2’3”) in height, execute a walk fence while mounted not to exceed 18” in height, lead a horse over an obstacle not to exceed 12’ in height, halt and/or back.
 
The Cap Gun Show also held medal classes for both amateur and junior riders. The Amateur Medal Champion was Sydney Carpenter, WI and the Youth Medal Champion – Monika Zoromski, WI.
 
Medal riders show over a minimum of eight fences 2’9″ to 3′ in height over either a Jumper or Hunter type course. The top 50 % of class and at least the top four riders are required to perform at least two individual tests from USEF Tests 1-19.
 
The Wisconsin Quarter Horse Association will hold a NQHL Huntfield Derby and Medal Classes during their show on Saturday, September 5, 2015, which is being held at the Alliant Energy Center.  For more information on this event, visit the WQHA website, http://www.wqha.com/showing
 
The NQHL Medal Finals will be held in Frankfort, KY on October 3-4, 2015 with the NQHL Derby Finals to be held at Fox Lea Farm, Venice, FL during the January Winter Circuit.  For more information, visit the NQHL website at http://nqhl.com/NQHL.htm