Derby Cross Report

Jan captained Team Dutta Corp, sponsored by the Dutta Corp. and Allie Lawaetz, to victory in the exciting new sport of DerbyCross, July 28 at Great Meadow in The Plains, VA. Jan’s teammates included Australian Event riders Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin, and professional polo player Gonzalo Fuchi.

Easy to understand, fast-paced and thrilling by design, DerbyCross pits teams of three Event riders and one polo player against each other over a timed course of show jumps and cross-country fences, including a “bonus” fence 4’11” high. 

Jan was responsible for coaching Gonzalo, who learned to jump so well he was awarded MVP polo player for having the fastest time aboard Rebecca Brown’s Twinkle Toes. Jan was MVP Eventer, anchoring her team and having the fastest time herself over the course riding her own Syd Kent. Jan reported that Phillip’s horse, Ballywick, was quite fast cross-country, while Boyd’s, Castle View, though well-ridden, was not quite as fast. Both Phillip’s and Boyd’s horses are owned by Acorn Hill. 

Jan identified several notable rides of the day, including Kim Severson on Shannon Lilley’s horse, High Patriot, and Sharon White and Allison Springer of the orange-attired Team Orange Crush. The DerbyCross attracted many other great event riders, among them Leslie Law, Clark Montgomery, and Donna Smith (who injured her arm in a fall, but will be fine). 

The Dutta Corp. team won $2,800 in prize money, along with trophies. Jan felt that the blaring music played for each rider definitely contributed to the excitement of the afternoon’s competition. 

For more information on the sport of DerbyCross, go to: http://www.derbycross.com/index.html and http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/28/AR2007072801151.html

(hoofclix)