History
DerbyCross
was conceived and developed by advanced level eventing competitors, Rebecca
Howard and Sinead Halpin, and Dana Voorhees, an avid amateur competitor and
owner of Van Productions. The three women set out to design an equine
'sport' where the speed and accuracy of show jumping and the bravery and
endurance of cross-country could be showcased in a spectator-friendly format
with a party-like atmosphere. After much discussion, DerbyCross - The
Next Great Horse Sport, was born. The inaugural event took place in July
of 2006 at Great Meadow Polo Club, in The Plains, Virginia.
DerbyCross
shares similarities with many of the 'derby' type events held world wide, which
combine the show jumping and cross-county phases; however, there are some very
unique differences that make DerbyCross one-of-a-kind.
DerbyCross
© is a team competition. Each team consists of 4 horse and rider
combinations (3 event team members and 1 guest-discipline rider).
The
three (3) event riders jump a course at 3'9" (Intermediate
difficulty). Some of the cross country jumps may have options; the show
jumps will be a maximum height of 3'9".
The fourth team member will be from the sport of show jumping.
They will jump a course of show jumps set at a maximum height of
4'3". Their cross country
section will be made up of a series of Training level obstacles, height not to
exceed 3'3".
All members will have the option of jumping a bogey/joker fence at
the end to reduce their time.
Scoring
Scoring
will follow USEF Table III - Faults Converted Into Seconds
4
seconds added per rail down
Disobediences
are penalized by the extra time taken.
The Team
Captain
All
riders interested in becoming a team captain must submit an application to the
organizing committee. Application can be found on the riders information page.
Captains must have competed at at least the *** level in the sport
of three day eventing.
It is the Captain's responsibility to select team members who are
capable of competing safely at the level DerbyCross requires. Event rider team members must have
competed at at least the Intermediate level, show jumpers must be capable of
jumping a 4'3" course.
Ideas for possible riders will be provided if needed. An alternate horse/rider combination
must be listed in the case one has to cancel.
Practice,
lessons, and meetings are highly recommended.
Each
team/team captain must declare a team name and work to find a team sponsorship
($2500 fee).
The
organizers will provide each team with matching jerseys.
Concept
Goals
Provide
a spectator friendly "short-format" afternoon of competition and fun.
Increase
understanding of three-day eventing among spectators and sponsors.
Heighten
visibility of all equestrian sports and their competitors.
Integrate
multiple equestrian disciplines, bringing together each sport's competitors,
sponsors and fans -- through the creation of a great new horse sport!