This past weekend the Fork Horse Trials in Mill Spring, N.C. became the first venue to host a division held at the Modified level. The Modified level, designed as a stepping stone between the Training and Preliminary was added as a USEA recognized level for the 2017 competition season and while only a few venues will be offering it this year it was well-received at the Fork.
Fourteen pairs (seven junior/young riders, three amateurs and four professionals) entered in the division with 13 finishing all three phases. Allison Springer and Fairvoya S, a 7-year-old Warmblood mare (UB-40 x Clairvoya) owned by Natalie Epstein, led from start to finish adding nothing to her dressage score of 29.2.
“[Fairvoya S] is a really nice young horse and she needed a good confidence run, but Training level doesn’t really do it,” explained Springer. “There is such a gap between the Training and Preliminary. She just moved up to Prelim in the fall last year and did three really hard Prelims. This spring she had a bit of a slow start and she had a few stops at Pine Top and Stable View, so I wanted to give her a good confidence run and this was fantastic.”
Zara Flores-Kinney and Killiney Hill compete in the Modified division. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.
Tremaine Cooper and Capt. Mark Phillips designed all of the cross-country courses at the Tryon International Equestrian Center and when looking at building the first ever Modified course Cooper took a deductive approach.
“We basically said, is this a Training question? No this is a little hard for them. Is this a Preliminary question? No this is a bit easy for them. And those became Modfied. If the FEI does add the level as they are talking about then it all makes sense to add this level nationally,” said Cooper.
After riding the course aboard both of her two Modified entries (Springer also rode Gustav Schickendanz’ 13-year-old Trakehner stallion, Songline II (Summertime x Schwalbenspiel)), Springer said, “I think all the questions were tough, like a corner out of water and a corner out of the coffin. Those were legit questions, closer to Prelim, but there were also some smaller fences in areas.”
Final scores for the Fork Modified division.
Other events offering the Modified level this year include:
• Heart of the Carolinas – Chesterfield, S.C. – May 3-7.
• Queeny Park H.T. – Ballwin, Mo. – June 10-11
• Otter Creek Summer H.T. – Wheeler, Wis. – August 11-13
• Otter Creek Fall H.T. – Wheeler, Wis. – September 15-17
Want to see more events offer the Modified level? Contact your local organizer and express your interest.
Modified Quick Facts:
Full rules for the Modified division are available in the 2017 USEF Rules For Eventing
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
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