Antioch, IL – July 18, 2011 – Chicago Equestrians for a Cause is pleased to announce that they will host the 3rd annual $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby in 2011 to benefit The Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago as well as the USHJA Foundation. The Chicago Hunter Derby will return to the beautiful Annali Farm in Antioch, IL, on September 11, 2011. This is a 2011-12 Member Event of the USHJA International Hunter Derby Series.
Following in the footsteps of its first two events, the Chicago Hunter Derby hopes to raise even more money for Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, a philanthropic group that donates money to significant charities, including the Children’s Memorial Hospital and the USHJA Foundation. The USHJA Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to advance and promote the hunter and jumper disciplines by supporting the programs of the United States Hunter Jumper Association, Inc. The Foundation offers numerous new initiatives, including the Horsemen’s Assistance Fund which benefits horses, individuals and organization in need of emergency relief.
The group looks forward to another fantastic turnout in 2011 as the unique one-day hunter derby event gets closer. The Chicago Hunter Derby is a very distinctive event that draws the very best hunters from all over the country to compete. The class is held on the beautiful grass in-field of an old steeplechase track with a stunning pond in the background, adding to the unique history and atmosphere of the setting. A new addition to the weekend this year will be a three-foot national hunter derby class on Saturday.
The hunter discipline is deeply rooted in tradition, and the best hunter derby classes recognize that tradition in the detail of their events, including courses reminiscent of the hunt fields of days past.
No event can be successful without the help of many great supporters in this industry, and the Chicago Hunter Derby is lucky to have the very best involved with their competition. One of the most generous sponsors of the equestrian sport, CN will return as the title sponsor for 2011. As always, a very impressive roster of judges has lined up to get involved as well. This year’s judges will include Ken Smith, Jimmy Torano, Steve Wall, and Heidi Casciaro. Torano will be co-course designing the class with show manager Bobby Murphy.
The judges are looking forward to a great event in Chicago and appreciate the support that the hunter derby classes have brought to the sport. Judge Steve Wall enjoys the beauty of the hunter discipline and looks forward to seeing some of the best in the sport compete in September.
“The class there is really well done,” Wall added. “I am looking forward to going and it is an honor to be asked. They put on a really nice affair there; everybody in Chicago gets together to make it a special event and that is nice to see.”
Much more exciting news and information is still to come as the Chicago Hunter Derby nears its show date.
