United States Eventing Association

Poplar Place Farm Horse Trials Report, February 6-7, 2010

While the Northeast is buried under snow, the Southern states are soaked to the bone after weeks of cold rain. At the Poplar Place Farm February HT in Hamilton, GA, the unexpected cold tested the stamina and toughness of horse and human. I looked like a walking marshmallow myself, shuffling around the grounds hiding under a hood, and frequently digging through my little Honda for more clothing.

Poplar’s resident trainer, Werner Geven, won the Open Intermediate division on Tommy Two (pictured above) on a score of 48.4. Tied for third after stadium, Werner broke the tie jumping clean and faster than second place finishers Suzie Romej and Let’s Be Frank (pictured above left). Werner also won Open Preliminary/Training on Wivita. He and the gorgeous grey mare led from the start and added no penalties to finish on their dressage score of 33.2. Becky Holder and Call Me Ollie jumped the only double clear stadium in OI, but the pair was knocked out of the top spot after a fall on cross-country. Only four out of nine starters in the Open Intermediate division finished.

Elizabeth Barron and the Graduate (below) scored 31.2 in dressage and jumped clean and fast on Saturday. They held a comfortable lead in the OI/P division going into cross-country, which allowed her to take a little more time navigating the deep, slippery footing, and they won on a score of 45.6.

Abigail Lee and No Questions moved up steadily from third to win the Open Preliminary division on a score of 37.8. An abundance of rails and time penalties shook up this division, and only five of ten OP starters finished.

Less than a point separated the top three in Open Training. The win went to Hannah Begue and Asterix who jumped clean and fast all weekend, finishing on their dressage score of 35.5. Nicholas Cwick and Song Sung Blue finished in a close second on a score of 35.9, and Erika Adams and Williston finished in third with a 36.3.

Rachel Wilks and Elin’s Legacy won Junior Novice with a double clear cross-country and a score of 37.9. Andrew Palmer and Spectacular Spectacular (pictured above) posted the best dressage score of the weekend, 22.6, and added only a few time penalties to win Open Novice. Heather Jackson and L’Avventura were tied for 4^th after Dressage with 30.9, and she finished second after posting two double clear rounds.

Sarah Ginsburg and Saxon Mills moved up from fourth to win Junior Beginner Novice on 36.5. Jean Long and The Obvious Surprise led the Open Beginner Novice throughout the weekend, finishing with 35.5 penalty points.

(Libby Head showed good spirits on her way to the hospital for a broken ankle.)

Thanks goes out to the Harris County EMT, who had a busy weekend helping injured eventers. Area III Young Rider Libby Head had an unfortunate fall in dressage and had to withdraw her two Intermediate mounts from competition. Libby was taken to the hospital and discharged with a broken ankle and a set of crutches. We were happy to see her back on the grounds within a few hours, and the dramatic photos of her fall were the most viewed of the weekend.

(Kelsey Hamilton and Hard To Come By finished fourth in the Open Intermediate/Preliminary division.)

Not long after Libby had been carted away, Kelsey Horan had a nasty fall in stadium, and another ambulance arrived to take her to the hospital with a back injury. Libby and Kelsey’s peers report they are eager to recover and get back in the saddle. Knowing how expensive new boots can be, a thoughtful paramedic who tended to the girls told me she wouldn’t let anyone start snipping willy-nilly and both riders’ boots were saved.

(Mary Kate Mallory & Kilaughton took fourth in the Open Intermediate)

Faced with less than desirable weather conditions, competitors were challenged to ride smart and safe. Several riders withdrew before cross-country, not wanting to risk injury early in the season. Other riders wisely retired on course if things weren’t going quite right. The Poplar Place crew did an impeccable job maintaining the courses to provide the safest conditions possible. Volunteers made the extra effort to consistently check take-off and landing points and fill the worst of the divots on cross-country.

(Awesome Poplar Place volunteers!)

Thanks to all of the volunteers who stood tail to the wind throughout the weekend and made the show possible. Poplar owners Donna and Gary Stegman held an organized and challenging event, and the farm looked beautiful as always despite the mud and dreary skies. Many of us were unprepared for high winds and wet feet (thanks weatherguy). Believe me when I say it was miserable and frigid, conjuring survival tactics from the toughest of Eventers. I flipped over a bucket and ate lunch in a stall. The heated restrooms were frequented by shivering riders looking for a chance to get out of the wind and choke down some French fries. People huddled under extra horse blankets and drank cocoa and coffee like it was lifeblood. Kudos to riders who pushed through the pain, spectators who cheered with gloved hands and chapped lips, and to our horses, who kindly kept their brains between their ears.

(Zeb Fry & Artful Way competing in Open Preliminary.)

Here’s hoping for spring sunshine soon. Ride safe, love your pony.

(Elise Dunkerton & Gars Little Man finished fourth in Open Training.)

See complete results here or visit the Poplar Place website.

Competition photos will be available to view on David Mullinix’s website.