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Greg Kuti and Prudence won the $5,000 Jump Canada Hunter Derby on August 14, at the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament in Ottawa, ON.
Photo by Michelle C. Dunn
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August 17, 2010 – Ottawa, Ontario – Greg Kuti of Schomberg, ON, riding Prudence won
the $5,000 Jump Canada Hunter Derby held Saturday evening, August
14, during the CSI2* National Capital Show Jumping Tournament at the
Nepean National Equestrian Park in Ottawa, ON.
The $5,000 Jump Canada Hunter Derby attracted stiff competition as a total of 35 entries vied for victory, as well as an Antares ‘Spooner’ saddle, donated by Antares Canada Inc., which was awarded to the winner.
The $5,000 Jump Canada Hunter Derby consisted of a series of fences with no related distances, and competitors had the choice of completing the course at a height of either 3’ or 3’6. Held on the grass grand prix field at the Nepean National Equestrian Park, riders had to navigate their mounts through a roll back turn, a jump on the peak of a steep bank, and through a grob ditch.
The judges were looking for the horse that exemplified the style, movement and manner that typifies hunter competition. Following the first round of competition, the judges invited eight horse-rider combinations back for a second round of competition. The riders’ second round scores were added together with their first round scores to produce the winner.
“I am looking for form, pace, quality and performance,” said senior judge Peter Van Guysling of New York. “The horse has to be a good jumper, and have a good attitude. It has to be a horse you would want to fox hunt on and enjoy.”
Senior judge Christine Renwick of Ottawa, ON, agreed.
“The fox hunt is what the hunter discipline is based on,” said Renwick, who actively rides with the Ottawa Valley Hunt.
That horse proved to be Prudence, an eight-year-old chestnut selle francais mare piloted by Kuti and owned by Carolynne Jardine. Jardine purchased Prudence last fall from Eric Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable in Schomberg, ON. The pair scored an impressive 85 out of a possible 100 points in the first round, and went on the match their score in the second round for a total of 170 points.
“It was so much fun!” exclaimed Kuti, who operates Chor-Be Farm in Schomberg, ON. “It feels so good to win, especially at such a fantastic venue: it is one of the last premiere facilities in North America.
“The course designer, Tracy Howard, did a great job; she was creative but kept it simple,” continued Kuti. “I am so proud of Prudence, she is just a very special horse; a real lady. This was our first hunter derby, but we hope to do more.”
Kuti was also proud to lay claim to the Antares saddle, saying, “The Antares is one of the nicest saddles in the entire world to ride in.”
David Marion, President of Antares Canada Inc., said of sponsorship of the $5,000 Jump Canada Hunter Derby, “I wanted to do something to support the event. “It was nice to donate a prize for an amateur division, as they do not always get recognized, and support the sport from the ground up. Plus, Greg’s round was perfect; he really deserved to win the Antares saddle. I could not be more pleased with how it turned out.”
Placing second in the $5,000 Jump Canada Hunter Derby was Taylor’s Design, owned and ridden by Taylor Mulligan. The pair came close to catching Kuti, posting scores of 84 in the first round and 83 in the second, for a total of 167.
Landing in third position was Winston, ridden by Carly Campbell- Cooper and owned by Triple C Stables of Elora, ON. Receiving a score of 82 in the first round and 84 in the second round, the pair finished only one point behind the runner-up with a score of 166.
The Jump Canada Hunter Derby is a new event introduced by Jump Canada to give recognition and build support for hunter competition.
“I’m thrilled that we were chosen to host this event,” said Ainsley Hayes, National Capital Show Jumping Tournament Event Manager. “We have one of the best grand prix fields in North America, so why should the jumpers get to use it exclusively? There was a huge turn-out, which shows that the Hunter Derby is a growing trend. People are really excited about it.”
The two-week National Capital Show Jumping Tournament runs from August 11-15 and 18-22 at the Nepean National Equestrian Park, conveniently located at the 417 Queensway and Moodie Drive. The second week of competition will feature the CSI2* $32,000 Brookstreet CompetitiveJumpers.com Open Welcome on Thursday, the $15,000 ATCO Jumping Derby on Friday, and Saturday’s CSI2* $118,000 Angelstone Productions Grand Prix, Presented by Brookstreet, and Blue Rodeo concert.
For more information on the National Capital Show Jumping Tournament, please visit www.hayesco.ca.
$5,000 Jump Canada Hunter Derby– Final Results
Rider/Hometown/Horse/
1. Greg Kuti/Schomberg, ON/Prudence
2. Taylor Mulligan/Merrickville, ON/Taylor’s Design
3. Carly Campbell-Cooper/Elora, ON/Winston
4. Alexa Law/Toronto, ON/Chagall
5. Jean-Nicholas Goyette/Ocala, FL/Cotopaxi
6. Kimberly Lewtas/Orangeville, ON/Jinjovan
