Source:  PMG News Release

 

 

Equestrians Prepare for the $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby

Carson City, NV- September 4, 2011 - With only a day left to prepare for the $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby at the Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility, anticipation is mounting. Equestrians are traveling from all over to take part in the only standalone hunter derby on the west coast. Participants of the $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby have traveled from near and far to take part in this exciting event. Today's activities included the hunter derby course being open for flatting where equestrians had the opportunity to view the hunter derby course and warm-up their horses before Monday's competition. The day concluded with the drawing of the order of go at the VIP reception hosted by the Eldorado Casino Reno in the Bubinga Lounge located in Reno, NV.

Joneux Mensler and Shirelands Saving Grace and Sarah Osborne and Black Ruby review the course Photo Credit: Heather Bellock

Tomorrow's event will include 18 horse and rider combinations to compete over a vintage hunter derby course designed by Phil DeVita Jr. Among the many hunter derby exhibitors will be top professional hunter rider and last year's hunter derby winner, John French. He will be accompanied by four hunter derby horses, which include CR Haribo, owned by Emma Townsend of Sacramento, CA, Rienzo (LJR), owned by Sarah Draxton of Geyserville, CA, and Symon, owned by Alison Bailyes of San Juan Capistrano, CA. The last mount French will showcase is the famous hunter stallion Crown Affair, owned by Yellow Dog Farm, LLC of Menlo Park, CA. French is looking forward to competing in the tomorrow's hunter derby.

"I love the fact that this derby is a standalone event. I think the west coast really needed a class like this. Everything is done very nicely and is a nice social event with a brunch, and it is really special for the hunters," noted French. "I just want to have fun with my horses and support this derby. It is really great that they are doing this and I hope that it is another great year so even more people will support it and so it will continue to grow."

Some other participants in this year's hunter derby also included local Reno, NV jumper riders from Big Air Riding Academy. Shelby Rechtor, Joneux Mensler, and Sarah Osborne wanted to take part in the local event and support ALS of Nevada. Rechtor will be aboard two mounts, her own horse Dahl and Julia Sorensen's Vyperia. Mensler will be in the irons aboard Shirelands Saving Grace, owned by Colleen Shultz, and Osborne will take the reins aboard Black Ruby also owned by Julia Sorensen.

Liz Schmid and Jessie Lang were also among the riders out in the field preparing for tomorrows hunter derby. They too will also be showcasing jumper mounts. Shmid will be aboard Air Apparent, owned by Teton View Farm of Wilson, WY and Lang will be aboard C. Quito owned by Margot Snowdon of Wilson, WY. They are both looking forward to tomorrow's derby.

"I like the course a lot I can't wait to see how it rides," noted Schmid. "There are some real challenges in the handy and some real turns that you can take advantage of. Air Apparent can be good at those the key for me will be to keep him from getting strong. He likes big open galloping and will do well in this field. I have been riding jumper courses, but he has done derbies as well. My plan is to get him to stay quite and relaxed and let him go naturally. I am hoping that is not windy I don't want him to be spooky and get strong."

Many of the participants and spectators are making a vacation out of the derby by spending time at the local gaming venues in the Reno area. Others are visiting the beautiful Lake Tahoe area just thirty minutes from the Franktown Meadows Equestrian Center. Some riders have traveled large distances to compete at the $25,000 Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby including Jenny Karazissis who is 10 hours away.

Aimee Lafayette of Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility noted, "We are looking forward to tomorrow's derby. We have a wonderful turnout, the course is beautiful and the riders are ready," noted Lafayette. "I think it's exciting that we have 250 spectators and not all horse people. I think it is amazing that we have drawn that many people to this event. Not just horse people want to watch the derby and be a part of it. Phil is so good at what he does and with everyone working to make this event possible everything is so ready for the riders. It is helpful to the riders to have the opportunity to flat in the field around the jumps because it is a huge open space. The grass is nice and cushy and everything from the property, to the arena, tents, and management is so prepared."

During this evenings VIP reception riders, judges, officials, and many others enjoyed a wine tasting by Peter Paul Wines with light horderves while the order of go was drawn for riders. Tonight's VIP reception was held at the Bubinga Lounge at the host hotel the Eldorado Casino Reno. Guests were given the opportunity to bid on various auction items that were donated to help support ALS of Nevada and director of ALS of Nevada, Megan Testa was present to thank everyone for supporting the non-profit organization.

Tomorrow's derby events begin at 8:00 a.m. with the show field open for riding until 9a.m. at which point the official course walk will begin and be open until 10:30a.m., and a rider's breakfast will be included from 9a.m. - 10:30a.m. The jog will begin at 9:45a.m. and conclude at 10a.m. The day will continue with a champagne brunch at 11a.m., the Calcutta at 12p.m., a parade of hounds by Red Rock Hounds at 12:45p.m., and then the National Anthem will kick-off the hunter derby at 12:55 p.m. performed by the Sierra Nevada Children's Choir. Following a brief introduction of officials and sponsors the first horse will be on course promptly at 1:10p.m.

For more information about the 2011 $25,000 USHJA International Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby please visit www.fmhunterderby.com. For more information and questions please contact FMHunterDerby@gmail.com or Lynne Garnett at (775) 722-4261.