United States Eventing Association

Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials Offers Something for Everyone at Bittersweet Field

The Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials have become a staple event in Area II where competitors flock to enjoy smart courses at Bittersweet Field. Founded by Austin Kiplinger and other Montgomery County, Maryland families in 1961, Seneca has been organizing annual horse trials since the mid-1980’s. After Mr. Kiplinger was able to obtain additional acreage for use by the club, Seneca ran their first recognized horse trials at Bittersweet in 1989, and has steadily grown since, eventually adding Preliminary and Intermediate divisions.

Today, Seneca shares Bittersweet Field with the Potomac Hunt, who runs their steeplechase races at Bittersweet each year, with both organizations sharing the responsibility of maintaining the field. With limited use of the field, both organizations are able to take advantage of excellent turf conditions.

This venue is unique in that almost all proceeds from the bi-annual horse trials are used to fund Seneca Valley Pony Club activities including lessons, ratings, rallies and the United States Pony Club (USPC) National Championship. The remaining earnings are funneled back into the venue, and besides the constant field improvements, they also have plans to add an all-weather arena for Pony Club use in the future.

Seneca Valley Pony Club Fall Horse Trials are right around the corner. They take place September 3-4, 2016. This falls on the USEA Nutrena American Eventing Championships weekend, so if you don’t have plans to head to Tryon, be sure to check out this premier Area II event!

This year Seneca is introducing a USEA Future Event Horse (FEH) division that will be located to the right of the main dressage tower. Nancy Jones, who, along with Debby Price, heads up Seneca’s Organizing Committee, comments, “We have a couple of members that are very interested in getting involved in the Future Event Horse program. These individuals have really pushed us to get involved and we truly have a perfect location to host it.” Cathy Tucker-Slaterback will judge the FEH divisions, and Helen Brettel will be the presiding judge that weekend.

Cross-country course designer, Morgan Roswell, out of New Jersey, will be designing appropriate move-up courses for the lower-levels. Competitors can expect more substantial courses than in the spring for Training, Preliminary and Intermediate levels. Jones notes that Rowsell manages to bring a fresh look to the courses from year to year, with changing course tracks and installing obstacles in new locations.

Thinking about moving up but not sure if you and your horse are completely ready? Seneca will now be running hybrid divisions, including a Novice/Training division and a Training/Preliminary division. Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) awards will be presented across all divisions, as well as the Area II Charles Owen Technical Merit Award for Training level amateur and junior competitors. Jones is excited to note that former Olympian Phyllis Dawson will be judging the Charles Owen Awards. And if that wasn’t enough, Seneca will also be hosting an unrecognized Elementary division with jumps not to exceed 2’3” for horse and rider combinations that aren’t quite ready for a full recognized competition.

Seneca Valley Pony Club also participates in the Area II Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP). In conjunction with Maryland Horse Trials and Waredaca Horse Trials, VIP streamlines the volunteer process from volunteer check-in on a smartphone to providing an online source for organizers to coordinate volunteers. This is a pilot program that is expected to spread nationally. Learn more at eventingvolunteers.com.

The Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials prides themselves on being an affordable competition that offers a variety of divisions and awards for horses and riders. Entries close on August 16th so be sure to get your entry filled out and sent in today to continue to support a self-funded horse trials!

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