United States Eventing Association

Area V is having a very special FUNdraiser to support the Area V 2013 Championships!

Riders in Area V that have declared Professional status with the USEA have been invited to compete in the 2013 Area V Pro Pony Challenge Friday evening, March 29, before the start of the March 30-31 Texas Rose Horse Park Horse Trials. We have a very generous offer from Kim Brunson of Brunson Equestrian Center located at the Texas Rose Horse Park (TRHP) in Tyler to provide ponies for a wonderful FUNdraising opportunity to support the Area V 2013 Championships, which will be hosted by Greenwood Farm in October. The Area V Council has set a goal to raise $5,000 for the Area V Championships, and you can help us reach that goal!

The 2013 Area V Pro Pony Challenge will be held Friday night during the Wine and Cheese Party hosted by the Texas Rose Horse Park. You do not need to be entered as a competitor at the horse trials to enter the Pro Pony Challenge, but you must have declared Professional status on your membership with USEA.

Competitors in the Pro Pony Challenge will be provided a pony for the challenge which will involve bareback mounted activities. The entry fee for is $200 per rider. While this may seem a large amount, just think of the joy and admiration of students, parents, and friends that contribute to the entry, and then watch the Pros compete against their peers. Please encourage and support our Area V Pros to enter!

In honor of the special weekend celebrating Easter we will also have an Easter Bonnet Parade with the ponies. Each rider entered in the Pro Pony Challenge is requested to decorate their helmet with a matching bonnet for their pony. We will be accepting votes for the best bonnet for every rider that chooses to enter the Easter Bonnet Parade for a dollar a vote with no limit. We will be happy to accept any size bills or checks to support the Area V Championships and determine who has the finest Easter bonnet. This is another way to help us meet our goal for the Area V Championships.

Texas Rose Horse Park is hosting the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by Bit of Britain, this fall, and this is an excellent way to experience what the TRHP, Texas, and Area V can do for a little fun. Mark Phillips will be at TRHP for the premier run on first Advanced Course in Area V. The 2013 Area V Pro Pony Challenge is special to him as he is the sponsor of The Mark Phillips Pony Rider Championships that will be held again during the AEC at the BN, N, and T levels for riders 16 and under on ponies 14.2 hands and under. This is a very special opportunity to fund our Area V Championships, and have a great time!

For more information visit www.area5eventing.com or the Area V Eventing Facebook page. Contact USEA Area V Chair Catherine Texter Baker with any questions.