USHJA International 100k KY Hunter Derby Winner

[@FluxyMiniscus]

Apart from the phenomenal courses, that TROT is so dreamy! Wow

[@AvonStCyr]

That is about as close to perfection as I've EVER seen a hunter round.

[@meganproffitt424]

He got a PERFECT score in both rounds.

[@SilverStirrupProd]

Rumba is absolutely amazing. He is the textbook definition of a hunter. John French, on the other hand... well... you can see how his equitation affects Rumba. 4:07 Rumba shakes his head in discomfort after John slams on his back during the landing. I respect a rider of this caliber, but I also am a follower of the "George Morris style of riding." The purpose of good eq. is not just to look pretty, it is to allow the horse to perform at its best without the restriction of the rider.

[@TonyAlbertson]

John, That was flawless. Congratulations!! You finally remembered what I taught you and didn't go to slow. That was perfect! Tony

[@topbearman]

OMG!! The trot out of the ring is SOOO Amazing!

[@luvbug449]

it's amazing i've actually been able to meet him, what a rider he is! He deserved to win. Rumba... let's not forget about you! Rumba has the most beautiful trot i've seen yet:) Congrats to both of them!

[@poprocksandPEZ]

IMO Rumba with John French is the best hunter past or present. This video still gives me chills.

[@oakfieldfarm1]

Congrats to John. Having been the original owner of Keltic, the other gray horse that did so well by John, I truly enjoy his style and how his horses love his ride! If i could only find out where Keltic is now!

[@JustBeYou987]

I could watch this horse trot all day long and never become bored.....

[@mijoutte]

OH MY GOD WHAT A LOVELY CREATURE! This horse is sooo beautiful! His little ears forward when he sees the jumps. Aww, such quality!

[@shortnotice101]

I heard somewhere he was sold for 400k for people who were asking. EVEN though it doesn't matter. This horse is utterly gorgeous.

[@agedawson]

this horse has all of it. every single speck of talent. amazing rides. congrats

[@REBEL56621]

a truly stunning animal. this horse is amazing. Rumba is one of the best movers i have ever seen. and Mr.French and that horse form together as one and are both incredible. good ride!

[@AmRambo]

I love watching this horse show. Gotta say though, he gets less and less snappy as the show goes on. Day one he's peeking and jumping so wonderful and round, by day .... 3+ he stops looking and (still jumps fantastic) just breaks his back less and less. But *dies* DAT TROT. gorgeous animal.

[@margarethulbert7260]

AmRambo

[@margarethulbert7260]

AmRambo

[@margarethulbert7260]

AmRambo

[@EyesUpHeelsDown99]

That horse has gorgeous movement

[@marenperiod1]

beautiful round, a lot of horse... for a lot of rider. :) Yes, John French has a few eq flaws but I'd love to watch a single of you take the reins the way he does.

[@ayeallie]

they do judge flat work, the judge that in an undersaddle class, basically the same thing as in an over fences class, but with out the jumping part.. so smooth transitions, a sound horse, a quiet horse, "long and low", big strides, even pace, balance, effortlessness, loose-ish rein, even space between horses, stuff like that.

[@janeseamore1370]

Rumba the amicable evident in how he responds to the woman at the prize table at the very end. what a very honest horse. a gorgeous horse. his four white socks alone are winning. he uses every part of his body just right and extremely fancy. he is very charismatic and has lovely displays of power of fences. he's quite expressive. there are some different styles in there but all and every jump is very pretty. this is a gorgeous hunter derby ride. how could it be better. ive liked this horse a long time. a beautiful horse. john French is an amazing rider. every choice was perfect on both courses. I thought. thanks

[@franzyprawnzy]

absolutely gorgeous horse, so amazing!! Fantastic filming, by the way. I love how they were playing Pirates of the Carribean soundtrack in the victory gallop!

[@qgriffiths]

honestly horses this amazing are rarely ever created..

[@diamondblue16]

Could this horse be any more gorgeous? It's kind of ridiculous how perfect he is...

[@meggwtw]

Such a beautiful expression on top of everything else. He still is like that with his current owner, Destry Spielberg, though not ridden quite as masterfully as John French. Clearly you'd have to be from Hollywood royalty to afford this animal -- haha. Beautiful at every gate, scopey, relaxed -- the whole package!

[@ayeallie]

easness of strides, overall appearance of the horse, roundness of knees/neck, even pace throughout, "long and low", big strides that appear effortless, balanced, a powerful hind end, slightly loose rein (as the horse must appear as effortless as possible), and the use of the arena.. There's probably other things that judges look for, but this is just off the top of my head..

[@etm16]

this horse is absolutely stunning.

[@hidenseeker424]

Wow, not often that you see a horse with that outline, head carriage, and balance in a single-rein bit anymore, no one takes the time to train that! Lovely horse, great rider, fantastic round!

[@leahwillett6944]

This horse has the prettiest gates ever!!!

[@christinegremillion3618]

this horse is to die for. perfect in all aspects

[@kickbuttequestrian]

Wow!!!!!!!What a good boy! I hope he gets a bag full of carrots! That trot is to dies for! His jump super cute! I love how he carries his head! I don't think his head is rounded as far as I can tell. I actually thinking about buying a greenie for a lot less then he is with that movement and head set. Maybe but that hose kicks butt!

[@csp79]

I'd love to see you out ride John. And while his equitation is not pretty, he is very well balanced and he communicates very well with this horse. ALSO, he did most of the training on Rumba, so are you saying that he doesn't deserve to ride this amazing horse that he made? That doesn't seem quite fair.

[@serendipitygirl14]

this is the best cride i have seen in my entire life! i idolise JOHN

[@SwizzleStick25]

I love this pair. What an amazing duo!

[@takeapicturetrick]

I could watch this horse alll day long.

[@mom2niko]

Just WOW!! I could watch this horse for hours.

[@saahhb]

@OTTBloverMEGAN Agreed, I can't STAND how this guy rides. There is a hilarious blooper video floating around where you can watch him come off... not all horses are quite so willing to go when you get ahead of their motion all the time!

[@codymaltzman945]

I love this pair. Love the horse so much

[@LeoL.e.o]

that is the most nicest horse ive EVER seen . LOOK AT ITS TROT!!

[@LovedHorsies]

ridiculously gorgeous horse! look at those knees... there are none! the perfect hunter

[@gingerdogknits]

GOOD GOD. This horse is a beast! I'm usually oriented around Arabian hunters, and I typically hate when horses have their noses sticking out a foot in front of the vertical, but... WOW. Even with myself just getting into the hobby of following hunters, this is... holy cow. I don't even know what to say.

[@margarethulbert7260]

Catherine Meyer

[@zoeleuthard]

amazing horse. has incredible style. fantastic pair. period.

[@carolinewilbur]

this horse used to be at my barn a long time ago :) I've seen this horse before he's perfect

[@TheRammsteinluver]

Either that or his lead changes. What an awesome horse!

[@xxIRISHBLESSINGxx]

i like in the first round how every time rumba jumps you can hear the audience say "whoa"

[@WelshCorgi321]

wow that is the longest first round I have ever seen lol. Rumba is an amazing hunter and I am glad Destry Speilberg has him now b/c they will make a great pair.

[@Ca2roline]

I bet when you're riding him it feels like you're soaring through the sky on a winged horse to the gates of heaven.

[@horsechik]

that horse has a beautiful trot and canter

[@StephKnMimi]

Its amusing how people think that John French needs some lessons.... LOL - Just shows how little some people know. Love this horse! I believe he is up in Canada now a junior down the road bought him....

[@meganproffitt424]

Actually it shows how much people know.

[@painthorselover11]

He's a beautiful horse with gorgeous gaits. Hunters are so pretty. How high are the jumps?

[@HattieMichelle]

GAHHHHHHHHH look at that trot!!!!!!!!! ....im sold....i could have not even seen his round and just saw that trot and KNEW he won :D

[@MissPreshpony]

that horse's trot is to die for!

[@AirinEEK]

Wow! Where do I get me one of these? What a wonderful hunter type horse, it is no wonder Rumba and John French won the inaugural USHJA Hunter Derby Final!

[@qgriffiths]

@actsix i also was taught the george morris style. but what exactly would you call this style?

[@blairthompson4200]

Stunning video and lovely hunter.

[@armywifeftbragg]

This horse looks like he was just having a ball out there!! Seemed to just float around that course.

[@KarlyyMiracle]

@actsix have you ever ridden a big hunter derby? do you understand how HARD it is to stay with a horse that jumps that well?

[@SilverStirrupProd]

this horse is every judge's dream.

[@lakelandboyII]

do they not do the flatwork side? its really interesting seeing how you guys do it over there!

[@qgriffiths]

oh my lord. look at him move. what an amazing athlete!

[@soundsofsilencex3]

this is my new dream horse! holy shit.

[@MCMHC99]

Thank you. How much would the entry fee's be to enter a competition like that?

[@Cutie158465]

that horse is priceless... gorgeous :)

[@EquestrianPride16]

Ah ;) They're from Woodside. Near where I live - LOTS of snobby, expensive hunters. But they make a gorgeous pair - if he'd get off her neck! x] Her movement is exquisite.

[@knowitallabouthorses]

he doesnt jump he soars. right on right on

[@7669ponies]

wow you are one amazing rider and a great horse

[@Hayleyandhavoc]

I ride horses myself, and remembering a course that long would just flip me out

[@WishfulThinking711]

I know its just a hunter derby I was just saying. The horse is beautiful and he did a great job with the horse.

[@CharlotteOswald1803]

what a beautiful round, the way that horse moves is beyond perfection, wow!

[@Fitnurs2]

This is what a real HUNTER looks like!!!

[@xxmindfreak]

it's so sad to see him being stuck in the childrens hunters with the spielberg kid. loved rumba with john french.

[@sherlockwatson101]

Watching this live was unreal I’d bet money the 4:20 WOO was me - we were sitting just behind the camera and i got over excited - I know it’s obnoxious - I was 14 sorry!

[@armywifeftbragg]

This horse looks like he was just having a ball out there!!

[@ThePrincessStardusty]

AWESOME !!!, ... John & Rumba ROCK !!!

[@Channin22]

OMG!! This horse is amazing

[@gabriellayoussef4911]

Beautiful horse

[@sarahhhhhhxxx]

I actually just looked it up and first place gets 25% of the 100,000. The 100,000 is distributed to the top 20 competitors. For this show, the entry fee was free. But its an invitation only show, horses must have earned over 500 in prize money for the year to be eligible to receive an invitation.

[@PONYLUVR101]

OMG this horse is amazing!

[@GabellaFarms]

Ya! The horse world is VERY expensive if you have the right horses, training, and equipment.

[@littledi9820]

A lot of riders "duck" it is a bad habit, but this isn't an equitation class. In hunters it doesn't matter. It is all on the horse and this was a very nice horse and an excellent round.

[@EquestrianPride16]

Thanks.

[@apostlenkoda]

this horses trot makes me happy

[@ajumpergirl4evr1221]

So many hunter riders these days have ridiculous equitation that interrupts the horse's natural jump. I love to see a virtually flawless ride like this where the rider stays in proper balance.

[@MalloryJames1]

What breed of horse is Rumba? He is such an amazing mover!!

[@cmeyers36]

its not slouching; this is a hunter class. The rider's job is to make sure his horse jumps the jump in the most correct forum. A good HUNTER rider does this "slouch to stay off the horses back and to prevent the rider from interfering with the horse take off or landing. A good rider is able to adjust their style of riding depending on the type of class, and the horse.

[@soundsofsilencex3]

to be honest, hunters is about making your horse look as nice and easy as you can. you need to give your horse a huggeee release, that's why rumba jumps so lovely with him. he really is the ideal hunter rider. as lovely as this horse is, he has a HUGE ass jump and i'm sure it's not that easy to stay with. that's why equitation horses jump smoother. this isn't equitation- they're two totally/extremely different rides

[@lakelandboyII]

what do they get judged on in the hunter classes in america?

[@hiddenhollowmoraski5001]

That is soooo my dream horse!

[@MCMHC99]

The horse is stunning. Does that mean he won 100K in that class?! bloody hell the most you win in a 140cm class where I live is £500 if you're lucky ....

[@etm16]

i love toe-flicker hunters

[@hunterjmpr113]

ok.. that horse seriously floats.

[@RaziemeIborra]

i dont care so much for the rider but wow the horse is beautiful!

[@rainnovice93]

@WishfulThinking711 this is hunter not eq?

[@iamhorsecrazy88]

How high are those jumps

[@arablover123]

This sounds silly but can someone explain to me what the Hunter Derby is, compared to jumpers and such.

[@tedcork1088]

i like the ribbon at the end..

[@AutomotiveAnnie]

Well I'm sorry, I have only ever been trained as an equitation rider, so that's what I looked for when I watched the video. Which was a very long time ago, I'm surprised people are still fighting about that comment...

[@christinegremillion3618]

during the victory gallop...rumba goes by and then all of the other horses and they look like they are stomping compared to his canter....its too good.

[@equestrian213]

ya 2 million..i think that's insane!!

[@hairyexmoor]

wow that horse floats when he moves :O

[@showjumpinluv]

@Eamloo I'm pretty sure John French knows what he's doing. A release doesn't need to be to a horse's ears for it to be effective. His release is more than adequate, please notice the slack in the reins over each fence. His "leaning", as you called it, though he's obviously very balanced and not using the horses neck to do so, is the hunter style of staying out of the horse's way as much as possible to better show them off. Hunter's is about the horse, not the rider.

[@eventer5]

oops sory mom2nicko (i ment to give you a thumbs up :O) i love him too!! he makes it look sooo easy even though he is cantering like a 4 foot course

[@nroche1955]

Oh, I would not be throwing stones here. . . . He is fluid and kind and stays out of the way of the horse masterfully. He was the person who made that horse as I understand. does that not prove something?