Jun 02, 2015

John Nicholson Announced as Course Designer for Virginia Horse Trials

By Athletux - Press Release

Virginia Horse Trials, a long time destination event for East Coast Eventers, announced today that International Course Designer John Nicholson will take over as the new FEI cross country course designer, beginning with the events staple FEI competition set to take place October 30th- November 1st, 2015. This event will mark Nicholson’s first course in the United States, an exciting addition to US Eventing as a whole, adding another highly accredited International FEI 3*/4* course designer to competition in the US.

Known for his beautiful presentation, design creativity, and unique flair, Nicholson has designed events, which include The New Zealand National 3-Day Event Championships, Horse of the Year, his home course at Kihikihi, and the 2014 Asian Games, as well as events in Thailand and Western Australia. In addition to designing many top courses, John has also been regularly invited to instruct others at FEI clinics for international course-designers across the globe.

Virginia Horse Trials Organizer and fellow New Zealander Andy Bowles is thrilled to welcome an individual with such a great deal of expertise to his event team saying, “We can not wait to see what John creates at VHT. His design style is very unique, and brings an aspect of creativity which tests horses and riders accuracy, while being safe and fair at the same time. We are honored to have his first courses in the US be at our event, and are confidant riders will enjoy his design style and knowledge.”

Bowles who recently took over the long time event from Brian and Penny Ross, is committed to continuing on it’s past tradition of creating a place riders can be excited to come back to year after year. “We want riders to always love coming to our shows. The addition of Nicholson will help us offer courses unlike any other in the United States, while we continue to dedicate funds to improving footing, offering pre event clinics, and establishing an atmosphere where spectators, riders and sponsors can enjoy their experience time and time again,” said Bowles.

Nicholson looks forward to his flagship course in the United States taking form this year saying, “It is always a great opportunity to design a course in a new country, at a top class facility, to test and better yourself. I am looking forward to offering US riders a new challenge, and consider it a privilege to work in a country that has produced world-class riders such as Bruce Davidson and David O'Connor. Having worked with Andy in the past, I am sure we can create something very special."

Notable individuals have praised Nicholson’s design talents, among them riders such as Mark Todd, his brother Andrew Nicolson, and Giuseppe della Chiesa, chairman of the FEI Eventing Technical Committee and course designer of Badminton. Giuseppe noted, “I am very pleased to hear that John has been given the opportunity to work in the United States where he can show his great talent as course designer. His ability to understand how horses "work" and "think" is second to none, and combined with his natural creativity and taste, place him amongst the best designers in the world. I praise Virginia Horse Trial’s Organizer for this visionary choice, and wish John the best of luck for his new appointment”.

The Virginia Horse Trials looks forward to unveiling Nicholson’s new courses along with other continued additions later this season. For information about Virginia Horse Trials, please visit http://www.vahorsetrials.com.

Jun 06, 2023 Eventing News

Hollberg Takes Top Honors in Open Intermediate and Preliminary Divisions at 2023 Essex Horse Trials

Hannah Sue Hollberg of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, was on a winning streak at the Essex Horse Trials on Sunday, claiming victory in both the $10,000 Open Intermediate and Open Preliminary divisions with two horses that are fairly new to her. Some difficulty on cross-country did not stop her mount Hachi from claiming victory in the Open Intermediate with a score of 101.6, while Open Preliminary partner Rockster finished on his dressage score of 27.3.

Jun 06, 2023 Profile

“And again, and again, and again”: Knowing When to Come Again and When to Switch Up an Exercise

The great football coach Vince Lombardi said, “We win our games in practice.” With the goal of having the most effective practices possible for horses, their riders, and their coaches, Cathy Wieschhoff explains some signs that can indicate when horse and rider should repeat an exercise, switch it up, or be done with that activity. Wieschhoff brings perspective as a five-star rider that has competed at the Kentucky Three-Day Event and Burghley Horse Trials, a USEF “R” Course Designer for eventing cross-country and show jumping, a former Area VIII chair and member of the USEA Board of Governors, and a Level V USEA ECP Certified Coach based out of Carriage Station Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

Jun 05, 2023 Eventing News

USEF Announces Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for FEI Eventing Nations Cup Poland CCIO4*-NC-S

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Poland CCIO4*-NC-S at the Strzegom Horse Trials (Poland) from June 21-25, 2023. The team will be under the direction of USEF Eventing Emerging and Development Coach Leslie Law.

Jun 05, 2023 Young Event Horse

Become a YEH Judge: USEA Launches YEH New Judge Education Program

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to announce the launch of the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) New Judge Education Program. Qualifying candidates, who are no longer required to hold a USEF judge’s license, will be encouraged to sign up to participate in the YEH New Judge Education Program to receive certification to judge the Jumping and Galloping phases of Young Event Horse competitions.

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