Apr 02, 2021

Fast Facts: 2021 The Fork at TIEC

By Jessica Duffy - USEA Staff , Leslie Mintz

The very first Fork Horse Trials was supposed to be held in April of 2002, but the event was rained out and didn’t debut until the next year. The Fork went on to run every April since 2003 except for in 2020 when the event was forced to be canceled due to COVID-19. While The Fork was originally held at Jim and Bernadette Cogdell’s farm in Norwood, N.C., this will be the fourth year that it is run at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, N.C.

The Field

The entry number broken down by levels.
  • The Fork has something for everyone – offering every single national level as well as FEI short format levels from CCI1*-S to CCI4*-S.
  • There are 304 entries for the 2021 edition of The Fork, 126 more than competed in 2019. However, the CCI4*-S numbers remained steady with 30 competing in 2019 and 30 again this year.
  • The two horses making their debut at the CC4*-S level are both Cooley-sourced horses sired by Cobra. Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp is riding The Monster Partnership’s 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Cooley Moonshine (Cobra x Kilpatrick Duchess) in his first CCI4*-S. The 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Cooley Northern Mist (Cobra x Neat Moonlight Clover) is entered in his first CCI4*-S with his rider/owner Andi Lawrence who is attempting her first time at the level as well.
The ages of the CCI4*-S horses.
  • Doug Payne is the busiest rider in the CCI4*-S with three mounts entered: Quantum Leap, Starr Witness, and Vandiver.
  • Fourteen horses are using the CCI4*-S as a prep run before heading to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L later in April: Bolytair B, Deniro Z, Favian, K.E.C. Zara, Mai Baum, On Cue, Palm Crescent, QC Diamantaire, Quantum Leap, Steady Eddie, Tsetserleg TSF, Vandiver, Voltaire De Tre’, and Wizzerd. There are another seven in the Advanced aiming for Kentucky: Business Ben, Cecelia, Islandwood Captain Jack, Long Island T, Mama’s Magic Way, Pfun, and Qorry Blue D’Argouges.
Past Fork CCI4*-S winning pairs.
  • This is the 15th edition of the CCI4*-S at The Fork (previously the CIC3*). In the past 14 competitions, there have only been two pairs to win it twice: Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda and Buck Davidson and My Boy Bobby (the only pair to do it back to back). With the 2019 winners entered there’s a chance of the third pair to be added to the history books – can Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF do it?
The breeds of the CCI4*-S horses.

The Facts

  • The Technical Delegate at The Fork for the FEI levels and Advanced horse trials will be Wayne Quarles (USA). Sharyn Antico (USA) will assist for the FEI levels and serve as the primary Technical Delegate for the horse trials levels from Beginner Novice to Intermediate.
  • The CCI4*-S and CCI3*-S will share a ground jury: Mark Weissbecker (USA) and Gretchen Butts (USA). Amanda Miller (USA) and Beth Wheeler (USA) will serve as ground jury for the CCI2*-S, CCI*-S, and Advanced divisions.
  • Cross-country courses at all levels are designed by Captain Mark Phillips (GBR) and will all run on the White Oak Golf Course. The prize list description says: CCI4*S and Advanced course fairly difficult with CCI preparation in mind and will run on the golf course with 10-year-old established turf and 10% on all-weather footing for bridge crossings, etc. CCI3*S, CCI2*S, and all national levels: more difficult than average, on similar tracks to AEC, good for horses and/or riders with some experience at the level. All courses are over rolling hills with beautifully maintained grass turf. Courses will be irrigated and aggravated as needed.
  • Michel Vallincourt (CAN) is the show jumping course designer for all levels.
  • Spectators will not be allowed at The Fork in accordance with the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan guidelines and procedures. All those present on-site are asked to wear a mask at all times.
  • Due to the recently reported cases of EHV-1, the Tryon International Equestrian Center is requiring all horses to obtain 72-hour veterinary certificate and perform twice-daily temperature checks. More information is available here.
  • Both the CCI4*-S and Advanced divisions are qualifiers for the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final that will take place at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds in August.

Competition Schedule

Saturday, April 3

  • 8:00 a.m. – Dressage (All Levels)
  • 9:30 a.m. – Show Jumping (All Levels)

Sunday, April 4

  • 9:00 a.m. – Cross-Country (All Levels)

Helpful Links

*note there will be no live stream available this year

Sep 29, 2023 Education

The Eventing Coaches Program Focuses on Area and Regional Needs

The USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) has initiated a renewed focus on the diverse challenges coaches in various regions of the country may be facing. To this end, the program is in the process of enlisting representatives in each of the 10 USEA areas to help guide the program as warranted for the unique needs of each specific area.

Sep 28, 2023 Awards

Nominations for 2023 USEA Appreciation Awards Now Open through October 29

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) has opened nominations for the annual appreciation awards through Oct. 29. This is an opportunity for the sport to recognize those horses and riders who excelled in eventing throughout the year. It is also an opportunity to recognize and honor the very important people who have served the sport tirelessly both in a non-riding capacity and riding capacity during their golden years.

Sep 28, 2023 Interscholastic

Stable View is Ramping Up for the 2024 Intercollegiate & IEL Championships

Anticipation for the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship and inaugural USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Championship is growing, and the host venue, Stable View, is up for the task of making both events an unforgettable experience for all involved. For the first time, the Intercollegiate and IEL program championships will be hosted on the same weekend at the Stable View H.T. in Aiken, South Carolina, on May 4-5, 2024, creating greater unity between the programs and demonstrating a clear pipeline of participation in the sport from grade school through college and beyond.

Sep 27, 2023 Rules

New Eventing Rule Changes Going into Effect October 1, 2023

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has made five rule changes which will go into effect October 1, 2023. Familiarize yourself with these rule changes below to make sure you are in compliance before heading out for your next event.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA