United States Eventing Association

What makes a great cross-country course?

Some folks emphasize having the perfect footing to run their horses on, while others are inspired by the questions asked on course. Beautiful fence design and open galloping stretches may also come to mind.

Whatever your answer, you are guaranteed the best of it all at the 2013 Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery, to be held September 26-29 at the Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas.

“Whatever you think that Texas Rose might be like, it’s probably going to be totally different,” says Robert Kellerhouse, event organizer. “When the AEC has been at other locations, the track was often pretty similar to other horse trials at that venue. But not at Texas Rose.”

The course has been entirely re-envisioned, adding a whopping 48 brand new fences to the property since the most recent horse trials held at the Park in June (Texas Rose Horse Park Summer Horse Trials, June 8-9). The fences, constructed under the supervision of prolific course builder Bert Wood, range from Beginner Novice to Advanced, promising an original course – even to riders who may have ridden there just a couple of months ago.

“Our builders went in after the event in June and started building like crazy. There’s a team of four people out there with Bert, and they’ll be back building and doing course prep in September.” Kellerhouse believes that the course, which is situated very conveniently in reference to the barns, arenas, and trade fair area, will be just as pleasing to the crowds as it will be to the riders.

Captain Mark Phillips has brought his expertise in designing championship cross-country courses to all six levels at the AEC.

“Mark is one of the best course designers in the world. He is certainly someone who understands where he wants to go with the event,” said Kellerhouse, who chose Capt. Phillips for the job. “He runs the British equivalent to AEC at Gatcombe Park. Mark knows what standard needs to be there for a Championship, in lieu of a CCI or CIC. The fact that he does Gatcombe is a major plus for us.”

Capt. Phillips regards the footing at the Texas Rose Horse Park as some of the “best footing in the world.” A sandy loam base covered in Bermuda grass, Kellerhouse explained that the soil retains a good deal of moisture regardless of how warm the weather is.

For folks who may have an eyebrow raised at the Texan location, consider this: “This is eventing on an extremely nice piece of ground. The course designer is British, and the course builder is Californian and builds all over the world.” But lest you forget where this sliver of eventing paradise is located, the water complex, carved in the shape of the state of Texas, is sure to be your reminder.