DerbyCross returns to Great Meadow
By Betsy Parker
Returning an innovative equestrian sport to Great Meadow, DerbyCross combines the speed and accuracy of show jumping with the bravery and endurance of cross country jumping.This year’s DerbyCross event will be held Saturday, July 28 in The Plains. Competition begins at 3 p.m.; regular arena polo follows on its heels starting at 7 p.m.
DerbyCross was conceived and developed by advanced level event riders Rebecca Howard and Sinead Halpin, with jelp from amateur rider Dana Voorhees. The first competition was held at Great Meadow last summer.
Howard described how the sport works. “The course is a strategically designed combination of cross-country 'questions' such as ditches, logs and water, and show jumps. It asks the horses to be brave over cross-country fences and then careful over the show jumps, against the clock.”
Five teams will vie for the top prize. Riders incur four penalty points per dropped rail, four per refusal and four per fall. The team with the fastest time and the lowest number of penalty points wins.
Olympian and U.S. Equestrian Federation president David O’Connor, who won the eventing gold at Sydney, will be the course designer.
There’s a twist to the competition: Each team must include one polo player. Competing over course of lower height, it will still be a tall order for riders who are used to playing polo rather than jumping.
“I’m out to defend the 2006 cup!” said Dominic State, the polo player on last year’s winning Team Stonehall. Riding for Stonehall this year are Clark Montgomery, Donna Smith Lauren Keiffer. “It’s not an easy sport," State added. "We’re taking this pretty seriously.”
Polo players include State, 8-goal player John Gobin, 5-goaler Charlie Muldoon, 5-goalers Gonzalo Fuchi and 4-goaler Jonas Larguia.
Tail gate spots are $200-350. General admission is $15; VIP tickets are $60. Information is online at www.derbycross.com .