Backstory
The Commonwealth Dressage and Combined Training Association (CDCTA) is Virginia’s premier Eventing and Dressage organization. Ten years ago CDCTA moved to Locust Hill Farm, owned by Mike and Betty Long. The farm is just south of Culpeper, Virginia. This spring the Long family decided to expand their cattle grazing operations to include portions of the property used by the horse trials. Since we thought of it as unfair to require competitors to soar over both jumps and cows, we began to diligently look for a place to relocate.
Goodbye Culpeper, say hello to Northern Virginia!
Michael and Lisa Mendell have found us a new home in Northern Virginia. It is 200 beautiful acres of raw land that we can shape and mold into a first class Eventing facility that will become a go-to destination event! Unfortunately, there are a few obstacles to overcome in order to make this dream a reality. Transporting jumps to our new location will be the first hurdle. Sadly, not all jumps will be making the journey due to age and the effects of ten years of Mother Nature’s wear and tear some horses too, but we’re placing the blame squarely on Mother Nature for this one). That means we will be needing to construct new jumps from Baby Beginner Novice to Preliminary. Next up is the construction of the water complex. In addition to the crush-and-run, we will need fabric liner as well as the backhoe and Bobcat to do the digging. Last but not least, we have to hire a designer and a builder to put it all together.
How YOU can help!
This CDCTA needs you more than ever right now! A move like this is expensive and the club can’t simply absorb the costs. We need donations to get the jumps moved, construct replacement jumps, and build the water complex. CDCTA has thrived the past 28 years because of its loyal members and competitors. We owe all our success to you. Thank you so much for your continued support!
What we need you to do is:
Ways to donate
Coleen Hersson
10378 Greyson Lane
Rixeyville, VA 22737
Jump Sponsorships
Business and individuals are welcome to sponsor a jump. As a thank you, CDCTA will place your name, logo, picture, message, etc on a custom lawn sign at your jump for years to come! Great for:
Corporate Sponsorships Available
Yearly sponsorships are a great way to reach the equestrian community. Benefits include inclusion in show programs for all CDCTA shows: (2) USEA horse trials, (2) USDF Dressage, (5) Dressage schooling shows as well as free email blasts and website links.
Sponsorship | Donation | Half Page Ad | Quarter Page Ad | Product at Events | Banner at Events | Show Program Ad | Email blasts (2) | Website Ad |
Silver Level | $250 | Yes | Yes | |||||
Gold Level | $500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
Platinum Level | $1,000 | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Be part of something special as we embark on making the CDCTA Horse Trials a destination event!
The countdown to the 2024 United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is getting shorter and the tentative schedule is officially set! For the second year in a row, the AEC returns to the iconic Kentucky Horse Park from August 27 through September 1 and will offer 26 divisions, including brand new Starter divisions and all levels of recognized evening up through the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final.
What’s a Hunter Pace? The Sherwood Forest Equestrian Center's Hunter Pace is a cross-country-style course around Sherwood Forest over various natural obstacles/terrain. The course ends with a final treat for riders to take in stunning views of Mt. Hood with a loop through the old Far Hill Farms field. The beginning of the course will first start with a warm-up loop around show jumping obstacles in the outdoor ring at Sherwood Forest and then riders will continue directly onto the course. Sign up as a solo rider, pair, or team.
Claire Allen remembers when she was 11 years old, having just made the switch from the hunter/jumper ring to three-day eventing. She told her new eventing trainer that her goal was to one day compete in the United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Young Rider Championships.
As he was finishing tacking up his horse in preparation to navigate the cross-country course at the 2024 Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, James Alliston expressed concern about navigating the 101 Freeway. That’s because as soon as he crossed the finish line aboard Intermediate level winner Addyson (Ampere x Nickerbocker) at 10:38 a.m. on Saturday—his fifth cross-country round of the morning with three at Preliminary and two at Intermediate—the West Coast-based five-star rider had to drive 185 miles on the 101 Freeway from Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, to San Francisco International Airport to catch a 4:35 p.m. flight to Frankfurt, Germany.