Jun 26, 2024

Bert Wood Novice Stakes To Be Featured at 2024 Woodside Summer Horse Trials

By Jonathan Horowitz - Edited Press Release
A Novice rider on the cross-country course at the 2023 Woodside Spring H.T. The Bert Wood Novice Stakes will spotlight the level at the 2024 Woodside Summer H.T. Tina Fitch Photography photo

Woodside, Calif.—June 25—The Bert Wood Novice Stakes will bring FEI-level prize money and a big-event atmosphere to eventing’s Novice level, as well as honor the extensive contributions that cross-country builder and designer Bert Wood has made on the sport, at the Woodside Summer Horse Trials from Aug. 9-11.

Entries opened on June 25 and will close on July 23 for the second of three USEA-recognized events that will take place at The Horse Park at Woodside in California in 2024.

“The Horse Park has always been committed to the ongoing development of horse and rider in the sport of eventing,” said Steve Roon, Executive Director of The Horse Park at Woodside. “Each level has its own unique set of challenges that are a step-up from the previous level in terms of the height of jumps and complexity and precision of movements, and we want to honor how proud we at The Horse Park are of the dedication of riders and horses at each level of eventing. It doesn’t just magically happen, so we need to celebrate the work that got them there.”

The first event of the year at The Horse Park, the Woodside Spring Horse Trials from May 24-26, was highlighted by the inaugural Laughing Monk Modified Match. Modified Horse and Modified Rider divisions served as the event’s showcase classes, putting the spotlight on the Modified level that serves as a key stepping stone for horses and riders moving from eventing’s lower to upper levels.

The Horse Park’s final event of the year, the Woodside Fall International from Oct. 4-6, will feature FEI competition up to the four-star level.

Bert Wood. Victoria Klein photo

Organizers decided to make Novice the showcase level of the Woodside Summer Horse Trials to celebrate one of the lower levels of eventing that serves as a backbone for the sport. And, naming the Novice Stakes after Wood was a natural fit for the team at The Horse Park.

“What I appreciate is that he cares as much about the lower levels as the upper level,” said Victoria Klein, who serves on the Board of Governors of The Horse Park at Woodside. “He knows that the upper levels get taken care of, and he recognizes that it’s the lower levels that really support this whole sport. There are a multitude of entries that make it work, and he really wants to always give to them in the design and the interest of the jumps as best he can.”

The Bert Wood Novice Stakes will feature a total purse of $6,000 divided among the Amateur and Junior and Senior Novice Rider divisions. There will be a breakfast of bagels, lox, and mimosas served during show jumping in the Laughing Monk Grand Prix Arena on the Sunday of the competition. The event will also bring awareness to a charity founded by Bert and his wife, Kris—the Cowboy And Rousseau Animal Assistance Fund (CARAAF) that offers financial assistance for families with rescue dogs that have medical needs.

The knowledge Wood has brought to cross-country building and design over three decades in the sport is rooted in working with some of the giants of eventing: from Pete Costello, the first four-star (now five-star) builder at the Kentucky Three-Day Event; to apprenticing in England with Mike Etheringon-Smith, the cross-country designer for multiple five-stars and Olympics; to working alongside David Evans, Derek di Grazia, Captain Mark Phillips, Ian Stark, and more.

Victoria Klein (left) and Steve Roon of The Horse Park at Woodside honor the contributions of Woodside’s cross-country building crew led by Bert Wood. Tina Fitch Photography photo

“We’re at 30 years of Bert building and designing on the West Coast,” Klein said. “I’m really happy to recognize this landmark and show him some well-deserved appreciation for what he’s done for eventing in the West. I’m not sure how many people know that he has built and designed at every venue in California and many beyond. He started many of the courses from dirt, such as Rebecca Farm, Twin Rivers, and Copper Meadows. When The Horse Park at Woodside reopened in 2005, he was starting the cross-country courses again from scratch for us. I’m also excited about celebrating and recognizing the true foundation of our competitions—the Novice level. I think the two recognitions are perfectly suited for each other. And who doesn’t like money purses, bagels, lox, and mimosas?”

The Woodside Summer Horse Trials will offer competition from Starter through Intermediate. There will also be team challenges for Adult Riders, Intercollegiate, and Interscholastic eventers.

Apr 22, 2025 News

In Memoriam: Dr. Timothy Holekamp (1946-2025)

The USEA is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Timothy “Tim” Holekamp on April 19. He was 79.

Apr 22, 2025

Shop New USEA Merchandise at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

While we all attend the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event for the competition, the next best thing about the event is definitely the shopping! The USEA is excited to be back on-site at the Kentucky Horse Park for the competition this year and to debut some all-new apparel items for the 2025 season. Here is a sneak preview of what you can expect to see at our booth, located just behind the Rolex Stadium next to the large Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event booth, this year.

Apr 22, 2025 Competitions

Fast Facts: 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event

They don't call it the "Best Weekend All Year" for no reason! If you love the sport of eventing (or just horses in general) the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is most likely a staple on your calendar or a must-see on your bucket list. This week, thousands of eventing lovers will flock to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, for one of two U.S.-based five-stars that takes place each year, as well as top-shelf CCI4*-S competition and two nights of spectacular show jumping.

Apr 22, 2025 Adult Riders

USEA Adult Riders Program to Host Course Walk with Derek di Grazia at 2025 #K3DE

Will you be at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this year? Are you a member of the USEA Adult Rider Program? Then you will not want to miss out on this exciting opportunity to join cross-country course designer Derek di Grazia on a walk of the CCI5*-L cross-country course. The USEA-hosted event will take place at 8:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, April 24.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA

Official Shock Wave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA