United States Eventing Association

Riders at GMHA Experience the Thrill of the 'Chase in the SmartPak Equine USEA Classic Series

The GMHA Festival of Eventing concluded its SmartPak Equine USEA Training Three-Day event as well as their Novice Three-Day event on Thursday, just before the beginning their August Horse Trials. Forty-seven riders were divided up into four divisions as they competed in the classic format event in Woodstock, Vermont.

Going home with a first place finish in the Training Three-Day was Erin Renfroe from Concord, Massachusetts and her seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Porter Creek. Erin and Porter Creek held the lead from the beginning with a dressage score of 24.8 and no jumping or time penalties.

“I had a great time at the event,” Erin said. “I thought it was really well run and organized. I think the educational aspect of the 3-day was the best part of it.”

According to Erin, a T3D is a lot of hard work. She had two horses running in the horse trials as well, which made it that much more tiring. Nevertheless, Erin was happy with the way Porter Creek ran.

“My horse, Porter Creek, ran very well,” Erin said. “He was a bit confused when we trotted out at the start of cross-country and there were no jumps! I think the roads and tracks and steeplechase were most fun for me. I still had a couple of sticky jumps at the beginning of D phase, both on my part and his, but felt that the second half of the course he really settled into a better pace. I was really happy with the overall experience.”

Paige Crotty from Southborough, Massachusetts won the Junior T3D at GMHA, aboard Roseann Mainero’s 12-year-old Oldenburg mare, She’s Gigi. The pair was in second place after dressage with a 35.7, but claimed their first place finish after double clear jumping rounds.

For their wins in the SmartPak Equine USEA Training Three-Day, Erin and Paige divided the prizes of a Five Star Tack Bridle, a SmartPak Wellfleet Halter and engraved lead, a pair of FITS Breeches, and a $200 Point Two Gift Certificate. They were also entered in a drawing to win a Stackhouse Saddle, a year’s supply of SmartPaks, and a Fleeceworks Saddle Pad Set.

In the Junior N3D, 13 year-old Katie Lichten from Hamilton, Massachusettswon with a final score of 25.7. Aboard the 17-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, Silent Faith, Katie added no jumping or time faults to her dressage score throughout the event. Nancy Read from Sandwich, New Hampshire won the N3D on her 18-year-old Connemara mare, Denvers Jovial Lass, with a score of 27.7. The pair ended the competition on their dressage score.

This Series would not be possible without the support of: Title Sponsor: SmartPak Equine; Presenting Sponsor: Stackhouse Saddles; Silver Level Sponsor: Fleeceworks; Legacy Sponsor: Five Star Tack; Platinum Sponsor: Point Two; Elite Sponsor: FITS