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

[@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!

[@JustBeYou987]

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

[@topbearman]

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

[@agedawson]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@poprocksandPEZ]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@EyesUpHeelsDown99]

That horse has gorgeous movement

[@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

[@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?

[@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

[@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.

[@painthorselover11]

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

[@qgriffiths]

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

[@qgriffiths]

honestly horses this amazing are rarely ever created..

[@etm16]

this horse is absolutely stunning.

[@mom2niko]

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

[@takeapicturetrick]

I could watch this horse alll day long.

[@SwizzleStick25]

I love this pair. What an amazing duo!

[@codymaltzman945]

I love this pair. Love the horse so much

[@arablover123]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@christinegremillion3618]

this horse is to die for. perfect in all aspects

[@leahwillett6944]

This horse has the prettiest gates ever!!!

[@lakelandboyII]

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

[@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..

[@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.

[@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!

[@serendipitygirl14]

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

[@zoeleuthard]

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

[@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!

[@carolinewilbur]

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

[@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

[@MCMHC99]

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

[@TheRammsteinluver]

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

[@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!

[@blairthompson4200]

Stunning video and lovely 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

[@lakelandboyII]

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

[@iamhorsecrazy88]

How high are those jumps

[@rainnovice93]

@WishfulThinking711 this is hunter not eq?

[@horsechik]

that horse has a beautiful trot and canter

[@xxIRISHBLESSINGxx]

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

[@MalloryJames1]

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

[@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.

[@soundsofsilencex3]

this is my new dream horse! holy shit.

[@7669ponies]

wow you are one amazing rider and a great horse

[@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.

[@MissPreshpony]

that horse's trot is to die for!

[@qgriffiths]

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

[@CharlotteOswald1803]

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

[@TomBahama347]

Was He really sold for how much does anyone know???

[@nicolemoellman2464]

Who is this horses sire??

[@kitkathilein]

What is the difference between Equitation and Hunter? :)

[@annikablock6177]

kitkathilein equitation judges the rider’s position and skill while hunters judges the horses position and how well it moves. :)

[@chantelthyng1285]

Does anyone know how to get videos from the early 2000s. Every video I have from WEF,Upperville, Keswick, indoors, Devon, pony finals and many other were destroyed. I would pay good money to be able to get some of my videos back. I stopped showing after my last JR year. Riders name Chantel Thyng. I was champion at some of them and would love nothing more to get a part of my life back. Please let me know if you have any advice. Thank you, Chantel

[@caromdixon]

Do you know who some of the people/companies filming were? I would be surprised if a filming company didn't have archived footage. If not, maybe ask around to other riders/trainers and see if they remember some names?

[@EquestrianPride16]

Thanks.

[@armywifeftbragg]

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

[@knowitallabouthorses]

he doesnt jump he soars. right on right on

[@Cutie158465]

that horse is priceless... gorgeous :)

[@SilverStirrupProd]

this horse is every judge's dream.

[@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!

[@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

[@Channin22]

OMG!! This horse is amazing

[@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.

[@gabriellayoussef4911]

Beautiful horse

[@pegasus1747]

effortless, What was his score?

[@meganproffitt424]

400 points in the first round

[@meganproffitt424]

782 points overall

[@ThePrincessStardusty]

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

[@PONYLUVR101]

OMG this horse is amazing!

[@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.

[@armywifeftbragg]

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

[@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.

[@julietterignataro9859]

@LnWillow they do that because it let's the horse stretch their neck over and right before the jump. All advanced hunter riders do that

[@xxmindfreak]

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

[@GabellaFarms]

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

[@LivingHope937]

@thebluebot I think that sounds about right. It definitely isn't 9 million for a horse, not even grand prix horses would go for that much all the time.

[@hiddenhollowmoraski5001]

That is soooo my dream horse!

[@Fitnurs2]

This is what a real HUNTER looks like!!!

[@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.

[@maureenprevin05]

why was this actually the longest course in the world

[@tedcork1088]

i like the ribbon at the end..

[@julietterignataro9859]

@MaddyMatta there 3'6 and 4 foot

[@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.

[@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 ....

[@equestrian213]

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

[@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

[@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.