Nestled in the hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, The “Best. Event. Ever!” also known as Plantation Field International is celebrating 12 years this year. Competition gets underway bright and early tomorrow morning with dressage for the CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S A division. The CCI4*-S and CCI2*-S B division will perform dressage on Friday.
There are 218 horses set to compete in this year’s edition of the Plantation Field International Three-Day Event, with 84 in the CCI2*-S, 77 in the CCI3*-S, and 57 in the CCI4*-S.
This is the largest field the CCI4*-S has seen in the last few years, with 41 in 2018, 47 in 2017, and 36 in 2016.
Jennie Brannigan has the most horses of any single rider in the competition with two in the CCI2*-S – FE Connory and Hopscotch – one in the CCI3*-S - Luna - and four in the CCI4*-S – FE Lifestyle, I Bella, Stella Artois, and Twilightslastgleam.
Boyd Martin also has four entries in the CCI4*-S - Bonito, Fernhill Revelation, Fernhill Singapore, and Z. Fernhill Revelation, Fernhill Singapore, and Z, are Phillip Dutton's rides, but Dutton sustained a minor injury and Martin will be catch-riding the horses for him.
Nine competitors from the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final are competing in the CCI4*-S at Plantation Field International: Z (3rd) and Fernhill Singapore (4th), who are being ridden by Boyd Martin at this event, Lisa Marie Fergusson and Honor Me (5th), Matt Flynn and Wizzerd (8th), Fylicia Barr and Galloway Sunrise (9th), Mara Depuy and Congo Brazzaville C (10th), Sara Gumbiner and Polaris (12th), Caitlin Henderson and Creative Dreamer (15th), and Ryan Keefe and Flintstar (18th).
Three combinations are making their third appearance in the CCI4*-S in the last three years. Fylicia Barr and Galloway Sunrise, Mara de Puy and Congo Brazzaville C, and Sara Gumbiner and Polaris all competed in the CIC3* in 2017 and 2018. Sportsfield Candy is also back for a third time this year, having competed with Phillip Dutton in 2018 and Dr. Kevin Keane in 2017.
Two riders and three horses are making their first CCI4*-S appearance at Plantation Field: Alexandra Baugh (on Ballingowan Pizzaz and Mr Candyman), C’est La Vie 135 (ridden by Woods Baughman), Favian (ridden by Valerie Vizcarrondo-Pride), and Cecelia Lundberg with July’s Wild Idea.
The CCI4*-S track will once again be designed by Mike Etherington Smith (GBR) while Jeff Kibbie takes over the designing of the CCI3*-S and CCI2*-S tracks.
Marc Donovan will design the show jumping courses for all levels.
Jane Hamlin (USA) and Nick Burton (GBR) make up the ground jury for the CCI4*-S and CCI2*-S, while Christian Landolt (SWI) and Amanda Miller (USA) serve as the ground jury for the CCI3*-S. Sue Ockendon (CAN) is the Technical Delegate, assisted by Tim Murray (USA).
The Unionville Antique Car Show presented by Last Chance Garage will be returning this year on Saturday, September 21 for the enjoyment of spectators at Plantation Field.
Also returning this year is the 5K Fun Run on Sunday, September 22.
The Pop-Up Village and Kid’s Korner will have shopping, animals, and crafts for all to enjoy, Friday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Brunch on Sunday will honor legendary horseman Bruce Davidson and feature the PRO Bareback Puissance high jump competition. Tickets can be purchased on Plantation Field’s website.
Admission is free on Thursday and Friday for all. On Saturday and Sunday, admission is $20 per carload. Hillside tailgating spots are available for $175 per day or $250 for the weekend. Purchase your tickets ahead of time on the Plantation Field website.
Following the conclusion of the 2024 USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) program and with applications for the 2025 program opening soon, USEA Podcast host Nicole Brown chats with EA21 Regional Coach Rebecca Brown about the growth of the program over the past three years and the many successes that arose from the 2024-2025 EA21 National Camp. Plus, Brown also breaks down how to incorporate some of the iconic EA21 exercises into your own training at home!
Somehow we are a quarter of the way through the 21st century. Finally, more and more eventing organizers and professionals are embracing digital tools to improve efficiency while increasing access to the sport. Equestrian sports have historically relied heavily on paper forms and manual payment methods for entries.
The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is excited to announce Standlee have renewed as a Corporate level sponsor for 2025. They continue as “The Official Forage of the USEA” and Title Sponsor of the USEA Horse of the Year Leaderboards, Gold Sponsor of the AEC, and Contributing Sponsor of the Young Event Horse Program (YEH).
Two months ago we began a conversation about growth and fixed mindsets and the many different mental habits and behaviors that create them. In my Thanksgiving Pressure Proof tip I introduced you to the first two of many such habits: the greed and gratitude mindsets.
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