Inaugural Preliminary Challenge to Launch at May Woodside Event

Updated: February 23, 2009

Woodside, Calif., Feb.23—The Woodside Preliminary Challenge will be the brand-new feature of this spring's Event At Woodside, held at the scenic Horsepark at Woodside, 30 minutes south of San Francisco, on May 22-24.

The Preliminary Challenge will be contested in two divisions. The Horse division, open to all riders, will be open to any horse that has not competed above the one-star level; and the Rider division will be open to any rider who has not competed above the one-star level, on any qualified horse. Each division will offer $7,500 in prize money, plus $5,000 in prizes. To qualify, horse-rider combinations must have completed two preliminary events, achieving qualifying scores mandated by the U.S. Equestrian Federation, in 2009 or 2008.

The Preliminary Challenge will feature a special horse-trial format. Dressage will be held on Friday, with the tests evaluated by a panel of judges, just like in a three-day event. Cross-country will be held on Woodside's rolling and viewer-friendly course, laid out by international course designer Derek di Grazia, on Saturday morning. Show jumping will be contested on Saturday evening, in Woodside's redesigned Grand Prix Ring, just before the competitors' party. Two of the features of this expansive ring are a Derby bank and a Pulverman's grob.

"I thought this competition would be a great meeting point for all kinds of riders and a great way to showcase our upcoming horses," said Organizer Robert Kellerhouse. "Preliminary is the ultimate level for many riders, and it's the level where the competition begins to become really challenging for the pros, so this is the perfect place for everyone to get a shot at some really nice prize money."

Kellerhouse said prize money for the Preliminary Challenge will not effect the prize money normally offered for the advanced and intermediate divisions at Woodside. He said the Preliminary Challenge prize money is being raised separately.

To learn more about the Horse Park at Woodside or the Woodside Horse Trials, go to www.horsepark.org. To learn more about eventing, visit the U.S. Eventing Association's website (www.useventing.com).

For More Information:

Contact Press Officers John Strassburger & Heather Bailey

707-473-0991
phoenixfarm@hughes.net

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