United States Eventing Association

Gold Cup Fast Facts: 2017 Richland Park Horse Trials

The 2017 Richland Park Horse Trials in Richland, Mich. is the first qualifying event in the 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series. Competitors who achieve a qualifying score in either the CIC3* or Advanced divisions this weekend will be qualified to compete in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final at the 2018 USEA American Eventing Championships at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado.

• Richland Park offers Novice, Training, Preliminary, and the Philippa Humphreys Advanced division in addition to the CIC*, CIC2*, and CIC3* divisions.
• 24 horse-and-rider combinations are entered in the CIC3*, including the 2016 Richland Park CIC3* winners Will Coleman and Tight Lines. Also returning from last year for another chance in the CIC3* are Joe Meyer and Clip Clop and Whitney Mahloch and Military Mind.
• 15 pairs will contest the Philippa Humphreys Advanced division, also an Adequan USEA Gold Cup qualifying division. Last year’s winner of the Philippa Humphreys Advanced division, Katie Ruppel and Houdini, will compete in the CIC3* this year.
• The CIC2* will see 63 pairs and 48 combinations will compete in the CIC*.
• This year, Chris, Patty, and Katie Ruppel will sponsor the Richland Leg Up Award, which will be awarded to the lowest-scoring Area VIII Young Rider competing at the Preliminary level at the 2017 Richland Park Horse Trials. The winner will receive $1,000 and a week of training and accommodation with Katie at her farm in Florida. To be considered for the award, young riders should stop by the show office to let the secretary know they are eligible.
• Proceeds from the event benefit Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center, in Augusta, Mich.
• Admission to Richland Park Horse Trials can be purchased upon arrival at the event as a single day pass for $15 or a multiple day pass for $20 per car. Patron Club packages are also available and include admission and parking for all four days, entry into the VIP tent adjacent to the Deb Hyde Show Jump Arena, and daily food service. More information is available on the Richland Park website.
• All are invited to attend the Competitors Party after the completion of cross-country on Saturday featuring burgers, chicken, brats, and Richland Park’s home-grown steamed sweet corn, with entertainment provided by Drop 35.

Competition Schedule

Thursday

• 8:00 a.m. – Dressage (CIC3*, CIC2*, CIC*, Advanced)

Friday

• 8:00 a.m. – Dressage (CIC2*, Preliminary, Training, Novice)
• 12:00 p.m. – Show Jumping (CIC2*, CIC*)

Saturday

• 8:00 a.m. – Cross-Country (CIC3*, CIC2*, CIC*, Advanced, Preliminary)
• 8:00 a.m. – Show Jumping (Training, Novice)

Sunday

• 8:00 a.m. – Cross-Country (Training, Novice)
• 8:30 a.m. – Horse Inspection (CIC3*)
• 9:00 a.m. – Show Jumping (CIC3*, Advanced, Preliminary)

Helpful Links

• Richland Park Horse Trials Website
• Event Schedule
• Ride Times
• Live Scores

About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series

The 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced horse trials and CIC3* levels. The qualifying period begins August 2017 and continues through August 2018 with the final taking place at the 2018 USEA American Eventing Championships at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money and thousands of dollars in prizes and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion in the Adequan Advanced Division.

The 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many loyal sponsors: Adequan, Standlee Forage, Nutrena, Merck Animal Health, and FITS.