Derby Day; Not just for the Thoroughbreds!

 

Our ring for the day; set and ready to go for Gambler's Choice rounds

Big hats. Mint Juleps. Races. Prize Money. What isn't to love about Derby Day?! Nothing! In true Foxhunter style, we try to make the best things even better, and we do that with our own version of Derby Day, held annually by Barbara Lee of Valley Hill Farm.
Barbara owns Valley Hill Farm, and also serves as a Huntsman of Belle Meade Hunt, where I and Foxboro Farm hunts from. Barbara puts on two shows a year during the foxhunting 'off season' for us to get out and do a little something different, the first being Derby Day, and the second being a more traditional 'Hunter/Jumper' style show.The wonderful thing about Derby Day is that it is 100% (yes, 100%) a fundraiser/benefit horse show to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  All of the entry fees, horse lease fees, etc, go directly to benefit St. Jude, along with any extra donations that are made (of which there are usually plenty).

The fanciest fox hunter. And the best mare ever <3

This year was no exception; we trotted and cantered as fast as we could (and got disqualified both times because apparently there is a thing as 'too fast'), but we did show our skills in the Jumper Sweepstakes, aka Gamblers Choice rounds. We did both the singles and pairs division, where I partnered with Caroline, a younger girl who also rides at Foxboro, who was riding her pony 'Mego' aka 'Watch Mego', who I dare say is possibly a better rider than me. She's also....11?. So yeah. They're a force to be reckoned with.

Clearly, Madison is starving. And thirsty apparently.

Either way, we were in fierce competition with her brother and another woman from the barn, who had partnered up to see which team could do better. All friendly competition I promise...except for the bragging rights at the barn, which will likely go on until Derby Day next year. Regardless, this year we did manage to pull off a 2nd place in a very competitive singles division of Gambler's choice, and Caroline and I managed to beat her brother and his teammate in the pairs division. Which basically means we're awesome. And so is Derby Day. Because that's just how we roll.