United States Eventing Association

Eventing in the Last Frontier: Alpenglow Pony Club Hosts Alaska's Only Horse Trial

Alpenglow Pony Club hosted the fourth annual Red Mountain Horse Trials and Eventing Clinic on Aug. 7-10 in Palmer, Alaska. Yes, that’s by far the northern-most eventing activity in the United States!

The clinic and schooling event are run as a USEA educational activity in Area VII. Thirty-nine riders participated in the three-day clinic this year. Coaches Erin Tomson from Washington State and Brandy Saunders from British Columbia worked with participants on all three phases of the sport. Day 1 focused on riding dressage tests and show jumping courses. Riders had the opportunity to practice and receive feedback in a ride-a-test format.

Days 2 and 3 of the clinic included cross-country lessons at Red Mountain Horse Park, a stunning property owned by Will and Mimi Peabody. Will participated in the cross-country lessons on his Haflinger, Wyatt, and Mimi watched from atop her Quarter Horse while she trail rode around the course and chatted with friends. Red Mountain Horse Trials then followed on Saturday, with 25 riders competing in the one-day event (6 Novice, 9 Beginner Novice, 9 Starter, and 1 combined test over cross rails). Riders traveled north from Homer (about 260 miles) and south from Fairbanks (about 330 miles) to participate. In rained…A LOT! But a little weather doesn’t stop Alaskans!

Eventing in Alaska requires even more grit and determination than it does elsewhere due to limited access to cross-country jumps and coaches, as well as a very short window of outdoor riding weather per year. Jessica Winnestaffer, one of the organizers of Red Mountain Horse Trials, has been involved in eventing in Alaska since it was first introduced about 20 years ago, but says that it still very much feels like a new, young, and exhilarating sport.

She credits Sandi Farris for developing eventing in Alaska from 2000–2010 and is grateful for the time and energy Farris put in during that first decade. Jim Briggs then continued to develop eventing over the past decade, which Winnestaffer and many others are extremely thankful for!

Fun fact: Briggs was among the first USEA members to become certified in the USEA Eventing Coaches Program (then ICP) when it first began in 2002. He was instrumental in getting RMHT up and running, and it’s now an annual event that people look forward to all year long.

Winnestaffer would like people “in the lower 48” to know that, “Alaskans with sport horses are very dedicated! Maintaining horses in athletic condition in Alaska is extremely challenging in the winter. However, the payoff is great—riding in Alaska during a sunny day in the summer months is wonderfully comfortable, and the scenery is fantastic!”

Barbara McDonough, another of the RMHT organizers, concurs and said that “keeping horses in Alaska can be hard. Only the really dedicated stick with it. We enjoy participants from the whole state. Riders in general up here need to be tough and deal with adverse conditions, plus have a pretty do-it-yourself attitude.”

Hershey Haney, who grew up riding in Alaska and has been a dedicated volunteer for RMHT, said of Alaskan eventers “Rain or shine, we make it happen—together.”

The challenges of eventing in the Last Frontier give the sport a spirit that is incredibly special. Haney described the eventers in Alaska as “resourceful, motivated, and inspired.” Her eyes light up when she talks about the people and horses that participate! In Haney’s words: “When I think of the spirit that embodies eventing in Alaska, first and foremost, we look after each other—horse and human alike. We deal with problems together, and we are not afraid to ask each other for help when we need it. We share trailer rides, we share horses, and keep an eye on whatever children or equines are nearby, regardless of who they belong to. We appreciate the small things and don’t take much for granted—no matter the weather, we are grateful to be out doing what we love! We especially care for our equine partners. They are all treasured, and when one is lost, the community feels and grieves the loss together just as we cheer each other on or celebrate each other’s victories. We are so grateful—for each other, for the horses, for good footing, a new jump, a nice day, and the opportunity.”

When the eventing opportunities are limited to only ONE per year, the riders absolutely appreciate it! Winnestaffer would like people to know that “there is a lot of opportunity to develop and expand eventing in Alaska! Currently Alpenglow Pony Club is the only group in the state organizing eventing clinics and one annual schooling horse trials. Red Mountain Horse Park is the only facility that is hosting cross-country jumping for the public. But there is easy access to undeveloped land, trails, and natural building materials available for cross-country facility development. Even just one or two additional people focused on expanding eventing in Alaska can have a big impact!”

Everyone who participates is especially grateful to the Peabody’s for sharing their amazing property. McDonough has been involved with the horse park since long before they started organizing the horse trials. She found trust and partnership in her horse there, so it holds a special place in her heart. Honestly, the location is so stunning that it holds a special place in the hearts of everyone who gets a chance to experience it!

“Eventing in Alaska is eclectic, and many of the folks that wouldn’t go to a show come to our trials,” said McDonough. “We are pretty inclusive and try to provide the education to help everyone feel confident in the competition with a three-day clinic beforehand.”

The team of dedicated organizers volunteer their time and effort because of their passion for the sport of eventing, the love of equine partnership, and the thrill of jumping cross-country (of course!). It’s also the appreciation for the people that are equally passionate and eager to try something new (many of the riders this year traveled long distances to participate in eventing for the first time!). Witnessing so many “little” moments that touch one’s heart and leave lasting memories is powerful. Being at Red Mountain is like stepping into another world where the stressors of life disappear, and the mountains surrounding you on all sides put things in perspective. Everyone is fully present in the moment, and that allows for a lot of magic to happen. In a world that seems to spin faster all the time and seeks to drag our attention elsewhere, Red Mountain seems like a vacation from it all, where there is no place or energy for the dramas and troubles that try to take up so much space these days. Instead, we transcend that to a place where all that matters is that you do right by each other and your horse. The friendship, fellowship, and support of each other that happens as we gather together with our beloved horses at the top of a far-away mountain, is a much-needed remedy and it nourishes the soul.