United States Eventing Association

In early August, Cedar Ridge Farm hosted their sixth annual Young and Future Event Horse competitions in Athens, Ga. This year, Cedar Ridge also offered the New Event Horse division, and the number of competitors continued to rise as it has every year.

Cedar Ridge Farm hosted a total of 50 competitors with 24 yearlings through three-year-olds in the Future Event Horse class, 8 in the New Event Horse class, and 18 in the Young Event Horse class.

“Judge Charlie Musco (Winston-Salem, N.C.) commented throughout the weekend, and especially at the conclusion of the YEH, that he has not seen such a high-quality group of horses all on one weekend,” reported organizer Carolyn Cadier. “He was especially impressed at the repeat competitors who have brought their young horses through the levels of this series, as well as the new yearlings that were all impeccably presented and well-bred. There were all U.S. bred young horses at each of the shows this year.”

In the FEH, a regular attendee of the show and local breeder, Jean Corbett Fowler, took top honors with a score of 80.55 with her yearling, San Marcos De Colon. The New Event Horse competitors, which ranged in age from young horses to ten-year-olds, all looked to gain experience. A lovely Friesan paint mare won this class with Abbey Dondanville of Demorest, Ga.

A number of upper-level professionals brought their Young Event Horses out for a bit of competition. The four-year-old division was won by Lauren Eckardt’s Bigtime Chesterland’s Inspiration, an Irish Sport Horse mare bred by Bruce Davidson. Judge Musco felt that the mare has excellent conformation, jumping ability and the “fifth wheel” necessary for FEI level competition in the future.

“All of the [Young Event] horses were deemed by the judge to be of FEI quality,” said Cadier. “North Carolina’s four-star rider Beth Perkins won the five-year-old class with her Dutch gelding Applause 54. The elegant gelding went around the course with amazing scope, lovely strides and an impressive gallop to the finish.”

The cash purse totaled $3000 and was made possible by sponsors: Carl Bouckaert and Chatt Hills Eventing, Orthopedic Surgery, P.C., Cedar Ridge Farm, Rule One Investing Inc., Cherokee Feed and See. Silver sponsors: Roger and Jennifer Smith, Green River Farm, Dex Industries, Black Petticoat LLC. Bronze sponsor: Covered Bridge Equine. Prize sponsors: Piedmont Equine Associates, Bar G Horse and Cattle, Dover Saddlery, Custom Saddlery, Mary Andrews and Area III Adult Riders.