It is championship season and Area VI held their annual Area Championships on Saturday, September 11 at Copper Meadows. Championships classes were offered at the Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Preliminary level. All championship divisions competed separate dressage tests from the regular horse trial entries and there were several additional cross-country questions on the championship tracks. Winners received an embroidered cooler from Professionals Choice, a leather halter from Elston Hay and Grain, a Fleeceworks gift certificate, a Ride On Video gift certificate, an Equestrian Habits prize, a free equine massage courtesy of CJ Equine Massage, and a set of Scrubbies from the Scoring Chix. Following the weekend's battle royale, we caught up with the riders who rose to the top to gather their thoughts!
Preliminary Champion: Stephanie Simard and Roosevelt | 44.7
A 20-year hiatus from competition didn't keep Stephanie Simard from excelling in the Preliminary Championship during the Area VI Championships with her 16-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Roosevelt. "When I bought Roosevelt four years ago I hadn't competed in an event in 20 years, so to even be at this level again, let alone a championship division, is a thrill," Simard shared with the USEA. "He felt so game on cross-country, always asking me where the next fence was, and I appreciated the one-day format because I didn't have a chance to be nervous between phases!"
Training Champion: Kristin Terris and Rathcash Olympia | 30.00
Finishing on their dressage score, Kristin Terris and her 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Rathcash Olympia (Je T'aime Flamenco x Fortnill Olympia Clover) swept the Training Championship from start to finish. Terris and "Niambhie" have been partnered together since Terris imported her from Ireland in 2017. In regard to this year's Area Championships, Terris shared: "Aside from the thrill I felt when my friends told me I won, my favorite part of competing in this year's Championships was interacting with the volunteers and staff. Everyone at Copper Meadows was so super cheerful, friendly, and helpful. It blunts the stress of competing to have such friendly ring stewards and volunteers everywhere. I can’t thank them enough for making things so much fun!"
Novice Champion: Whitney Tucker Billeter and Infinite Wisdom | 29.1
It was a start-to-finish win for Whitney Tucker Billeter and Erin Kellerhouse's Infinite Wisdom in the Area VI Novice Championship. Billeter and the 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by Smart Strike danced their way to a dressage score of 29.1 which the duo would add no penalties to throughout the final two phases.
Beginner Novice Champion: Laura Jaeger-Seitz and Dondero | 29.5
With no additional penalties to add to their dressage score of 29.5, Laura Jaeger-Seitz and her 6-year-old homebred Oldenburg gelding Dondero (Don de Marco x Pikfernadera) closed out the day with a tricolor ribbon to add to their ribbon wall. "The course rode very nice and I felt the questions on course were perfect for the level," Jaeger-Seitz reflected. "I love being at Copper Meadows. Everyone wants everyone to do well and enjoy themselves. Even those competing against each other were sharing tips on staying cool in the warmer temps and what was different out on course."
Check out all the results from the weekend here.
They don't call it the "Best Weekend All Year" for no reason! If you love the sport of eventing (or just horses in general) the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is most likely a staple on your calendar or a must-see on your bucket list. This week, thousands of eventing lovers will flock to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, for one of two U.S.-based five-stars that takes place each year, as well as top-shelf CCI4*-S competition and two nights of spectacular show jumping.
Will you be at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this year? Are you a member of the USEA Adult Rider Program? Then you will not want to miss out on this exciting opportunity to join cross-country course designer Derek di Grazia on a walk of the CCI5*-L cross-country course. The USEA-hosted event will take place at 8:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, April 24.
Can't make it to the Kentucky Horse Park this week for the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event? Never fear! We've got all the details you need on how to access the livestream for both the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L taking place this week.
Have your travels to Kentucky for the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event begun yet? We've got the perfect podcast episode to help you make the time on the plane or in the car pass by as you prepare for all of the excitement of the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L that will take place this week. USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown sits down with Will Coleman to talk all about this iconic week in U.S. eventing, his plans for the four-star this year (including an adorable homage to long-term partner Off the Record), his first ever time competing at Kentucky, and so much more!