Mar 20, 2023

Get to Know What’s Happening in Area VI in 2023

By Jonathan Horowitz - USEA Staff
Rebecca Braitling and Caravaggio II winning the CCI4*-S at the 2022 Twin Rivers Fall International. Ride On Photo

Note: Throughout 2023, the United States Eventing Association will be putting the spotlight on each area and sharing how they will uniquely contribute to the growth of the sport of eventing. After starting the series with Area X and Area III, the next area featured is Area VI.

West Coast eventers experienced tremendous success in 2022. Tamie Smith recorded top-10 finishes at Badminton in England, at the FEI World Championships at Pratoni in Italy, and at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Helen Alliston won the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final, and Tommy Greengard captured the USEA Intermediate Championship at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds. James Alliston returned to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event for the first time since 2017 and finished third in the CCI4*-S.

As these, and other riders across all levels, turn their attention to 2023, eventing venues in their home state have new things in store and will offer a range of programs this year. Area VI also includes Hawaii, in addition to California.

The Horse Park at Woodside has added Derek di Grazia as cross-country course designer. Di Grazia’s courses have been featured at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, the Tokyo Olympics, Bromont International Horse Trials, and at the Morven Park International Horse Trials. Designing at Woodside reunites him with a venue close to where he resides in Carmel Valley and where he has competed for decades.

“There’s quite a lot of interest to compete there,” di Grazia said. “It’s one of the few places in California that actually has terrain, which is very beneficial for the horses and riders competing. Having that experience of being able to go up and down hills as well as having the terrain be part of the jumping question is quite important in the development of both horses and riders.”

The Woodside Spring H.T. will take place on May 26-28, followed by the Woodside Summer H.T on Aug. 11-13, and culminating with the Woodside Fall International on Oct. 6-8 that will return eventing at the FEI levels to Woodside with a CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, and CCI2*-S.

Kaylawna Smith-Cook and Passepartout at the 2019 Woodside International. Kim Miller photo

Since 2022, the Ram Tap Horse Park in Fresno has revitalized the Ram Tap H.T., which were one of the first recognized events licensed by the USCTA, the predecessor to the USEA, in 1960. (The event has also been known as the Fresno County Horse Park H.T.)

“So many people that are eventing here now did as kids or their parents did as kids,” organizer Terry Hilst said. “It’s really important to a lot of riders. [USEA CEO] Rob Burk cut his teeth out here.”

Rob Burk and Heart to Heart at Ram Tap in 1993. Photo courtesy of Rob Burk

In 2023, there will be four events at Ram Tap. Organizers are hosting a second Advanced, offering the level at both the Ram Tap National H.T. on March 17-19 and Oct. 20-22. The Ram Tap H.T. & Classic 3-Day that represents the final event of the year in Area VI in 2023 will feature the USEA Classic Series, offering Beginner Novice Three-Day (BN3D), Novice Three-Day (N3D), and Training Three-Day (T3D).

“We’re trying to make it rider friendly as much as we can,” Hilst said. “If I could, I would do everything Classic. I absolutely love the Classic. I believe in the way it conditions the horses and the riders. We’re really proud to offer the Classic in November.”

Charlotte Freeman and Graceland's Ladera winning the 2022 Training Three-Day at Ram Tap. Tina Fitch photo

Area VI has also embraced the USEA Young Event Horse Series, with two qualifying events at Shepherd Ranch in Santa Ynez and at Twin Rivers in Paso Robles. Twin Rivers has hosted The Dutta Corp. USEA YEH West Coast Championships as a standalone event since 2020. In 2022, the West Coast championships featured their largest field and produced the highest-scoring 5-year-old champion on either coast with the chestnut Zangersheide gelding That’s Me Z (Take A Chance On Me Z x Venetia) ridden by Greengard. In 2023, the championships are scheduled for Oct. 27-28.

Tommy Greengard and That's Me Z at the 2022 Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) West Coast Championships. Tina Fitch photo

Twin Rivers has also experienced a different look in 2023, although that wasn’t necessarily by choice. A hard-working crew led by the Baxter family that has operated Twin Rivers since 2001 and financial support from the Area VI eventing community were part of a massive recovery from record flooding that caused parts of the venue to be under approximately four feet of water two months prior to hosting the Twin Rivers Winter H.T. on March 3-5.

“The support we received was so heartwarming,” organizer Connie Baxter said. “It was a real team effort, and after all the hard work that went into hosting these horse trials, we’re looking forward to the internationals, as well as the Young Event Horse West Coast Championships, that make up our show schedule in 2023.”

Twin Rivers will run up to the CCI4*-S at the Twin Rivers Spring International on April 13-16 and the Twin Rivers Fall International on Sept. 21-24.

Area VI’s CCI4*-L, one of just five in the United States in 2023, will take place at the Galway Downs International Event on Nov. 1-5, bringing the curtain down on the season of FEI events that prepares West Coast riders to take on the rest of the country and the world.

James Alliston and Paper Jam winning the CCI4*-L at the 2022 Galway Downs International. Sherry Stewart photo

“I really want to be that person that proves to people that they can make it from here and it’s achievable,” Smith said. “You have to travel for sure, but it’s 100 percent attainable. It’s a completely different dynamic out here, and it’s super special. I think a lot of people are missing out because they don’t get to see our community and what we get to experience by being on the West Coast because it’s such a close-knit family.”

Smith and other Area VI riders, coming off their successful 2022, will be hoping for more celebration for West Coast eventers in 2023.

Mar 28, 2024 Eventing News

Weekend Quick Links: March 30-31

Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.

Mar 28, 2024 Eventing News

Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Entries Revealed

Let the countdown to the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event officially begin! Entries for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-L went live today and showcase some of the world’s best horses and riders. In total, 47 pairs are entered in the five-star competition with the bulk of the entries being made up U.S. competitors with 30 entries in the field.

Mar 28, 2024

USEA Events A-Z: Mile High Horse Ranch Horse Trials

Eventing is on an upswing in Area IX with the addition of Mile High Horse Ranch Horse Trials in Parker, Colorado. The inaugural event will run from July 6-7 this summer. Started and organized by Mile High Horse Ranch owner Vanda Werner, the event will feature Starter through Training levels.

Mar 27, 2024 Eventing News

Now On Course: Bondi Beach Brings Tyler Hope During Her Darkest Days

John Lennon famously said that life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. Rebecca Barber Tyler probably would agree.

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

Official Horse Boot of the USEA