october 19th
The Covert Farm Hunter Challenge will be a highlight event, designed to reflect the traditional foxhunting field while rewarding the style and brilliance of the modern hunter. Riders will take on a thoughtfully designed track that flows in and out of the ring, combining natural elements such as brush, logs, and gates with classic hunter lines to create a true field-inspired test.
The course will be offered at 2’, 2’6, and 3’ heights, with multiple high options incorporated throughout for riders seeking to showcase scope, bravery, and expression. Each round will celebrate the qualities of a genuine hunt horse: handiness, boldness, fluid pace, and an elegant way of going.
After the Classic Round, the top 12 horse-and-rider combinations will be invited back for the Handy Round, where riders will demonstrate clever turns, precision, pace, and style across a more technical track. This final phase will challenge competitors to bring forward the handiness and brilliance expected of a seasoned foxhunter, while still maintaining form and polish in presentation.
This derby is not just about competition—it is a celebration of tradition, horsemanship, and the artistry of the hunter ring, paying homage to the roots of the sport while offering a modern showcase of talent and skill.
SCHEDULE
POSTED ORDER FOR ALL CLASSES - LIMITED TO 30 ENTRIES PER CLASS
9:00AM - COURSE WALK
FIRST FLIGHT - CLASS #1: 3’ HUNTER CHALLENGE
2’6” - COURSE WALK
SECOND FLIGHT - CLASS #2: 2’6” HUNTER CHALLENGE
2’ - COURSE WALK
HILL TOPPERS - CLASS #3: 2’ HUNTER CHALLENGE
Blue circle will be the ingate, warm up will be in the arena in the purple, the rest of the arena and grass field will be apart of the course.