Brunello Wins 2014 International Hunter Derby Championship

Liza Boyd & Brunello Ride To Consecutive Derby Championship Victory

By: Claudia Lorena

Aug. 16, 2014 – Lexington, KY. – The Kentucky Horse Park played host once again to the top hunter horses in the nation and it couldn’t have been a more perfect evening for Liza Boyd and Brunello as they rode to win for the second year in a row, and were announced champions of the 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship.

Twenty-five horse and rider combinations showed off their talents under the lights of the Rolex Stadium and took to a twelve obstacle course, designed by Steve Stephens and Allen Rheinheimer. Emphasizing handiness and brilliance, competitors navigated the course to the best of their abilities while facing the added challenge of riding in the rain. The inconvenient presence of summer showers posed a challenge to some competitors, but Boyd and Brunello remained unphased and knocked the judges off their chairs with a ride that received nothing less of a standing ovation.

Getting to the top is tough, but staying there is even tougher. Last year’s reigning champions got off to a good start in Friday’s Classic round with a score of 280.40 that carried them into the handy and final round on Saturday evening. Third to last to go, Boyd and Brunello didn’t buckle under the pressure. Executing a big and beautiful round—including all high options—and receiving 318 points for a combined score of 598.40.

Filling in for an injured Kelley Farmer, Jimmy Torano piloted the Lane Change Farm entry, Mindful, to second place in the Classic round, but fell short with a handy score of 218. A combined score of 506 points knocked Torano and Mindful out of the top twelve and resulted in an 18th place finish.

Last to go, it was up to Victoria Colvin and the Betsee Parker owned entry, Inclusive, to determine who would become the 2014 International Hunter Derby Champions. 16-year-old Tori Colvin is accustomed to riding against tough competition and has won against many of evening’s professional riders in the past. But the stars were simply not aligned for the junior rider and her handy round did not pan out as smoothly as hoped. Returning a 285.65 and combined score of 574.65, a disappointed Colvin patted her big bay mount who appeared to mirror junior rider’s sentiments. They would settle for third, and it was official… Boyd and Brunello had done it once again.

Prior to becoming a star, the 16-year-old hanoverian chestnut was owned and ridden by Caroline Clark-Stoney and participated in a handful of lower-rated shows on the east coast. Making his AA debut in July of 2009, Brunello experienced much success in the 3’3″ Amateur Owner division and shipped to Washington D.C., just two months after, to participate in the prestigious Capital Challenge Horse Show, where he gave everyone a small glimpse of the champion he would later become.

Liza Boyd hopped on for the first time in January 2010 in the Open Hunter Division, at the Aiken Winter Classic, and a first place finish in a 40+ horse class told Boyd there was something very special about the big-bodied gelding with a white star on his forehead. One month later, Boyd reunited with Brunello at the Winter Equestrian Festival and began showing him consistently. Within eight months the then 12-year-old gelding had gone from showing in the Regular Working Hunters to becoming a third place finisher in the 2010 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals.

Since 2010, Liza Boyd and Brunello have consistently qualified, participated and placed among the best, and won for the first time in 2013. Their 2014 victory marks the series’ first consecutive win since its inauguration in 2009 and it goes to show just how far trust, dedication and persistence will take you if you’re willing to put in the effort. The chestnut that was once said “lacked the qualities of a classic hunter,” has become a two-time champion of the biggest event in his discipline.

Congratulations to Liza Boyd, Janet Peterson, Jack Towell and—of course— Brunello, on a well deserved .

2014 Official Results

2009-2014 Winners & Results 

Scores and final results obtained via the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA).