Long Live the Long Format at Southern Eighths Farm, located in the middle of USEA Areas II & III on the North and South Carolina border in Chesterfield, SC, the Heart of the Carolinas Long Format Three-Day is the amateur rider’s “Rolex”. The place where Beginner Novice through Training level riders can ride their ultimate long format test in a recognized event. It is unlike any other horse trial.
The facility is designed to accommodate and maximize the long format experience. From its centrally located “holds” and “starts”, two steeplechase tracks and groomed “roads and tracks” to the special derby course used for show jumping, the Heart of the Carolinas event is the ultimate test. Whether it is testing your horse at speed on the Steeplechase or riding technically challenging cross country courses, this event will be memorable.
This is the opportunity of a life time for the amateur rider, the time where you, your horse and your support team all function as one to complete the traditional test of horsemanship. That moment where education and exhilaration meet.
To sign up for this great opportunity to participate in a rare USEA Recognized Training Three-Day, Novice Three-Day, and Beginner Novice Three-Day Long Format Event contact Foy Barksdale at (203) 605-5303 or email [email protected]
Classic Eventing programs are held at Southern Eighths Farm, a brand new state-of-the-art eventing facility that has been built with the pledge of educating the adult amateur. The 300-acre venue with pristine turf, boasts of two steeplechase tracks, hand-groomed trails for roads and tracks, and superior cross-country courses designed by Tremaine Cooper.
Heart of the Carolinas is the first SmartPak Equine/USEA Classic Series Event of 2011. For more information about the series visit the Classic page on the USEA website.
The CCI5*-L field was narrowed by one this afternoon following the first horse inspection on High Hope Inspection Lane at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Horse and rider pairs were looking their best, with a few horses demonstrating their readiness for the upcoming competition through their flamboyant behavior (we're looking at you Bronte Beach Z and Dyri).
The man, the myth, the legend himself, Derek di Grazia is back in his typical fashion at this year's Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and he has designed some beautiful tracks for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S competitions this year. You can get a first look at these amazing courses as well as some insider interviews with di Grazia himself thanks to our friends at the CrossCountry App!
It's the most wonderful time of the year—and we aren't talking about the holiday season. Welcome to 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) week! This week the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, will be crawling with eventing lovers from all across the globe for the first five-star of the 2025 season and the USEA is excited to once again be onsite for all of the action.
The USEA is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Timothy “Tim” Holekamp on April 19. He was 79.