United States Eventing Association

Twin Rivers International Three-Day Event

Over 320 horses and riders will be competing at Twin Rivers Ranch, the 500-acre equestrian facility in Paso Robles, CA. This internationally rated show will draw competitors from all over the western US, Canada and Mexico, and even Great Britain will be represented! Horses and riders will compete over three days to achieve qualifying results that will lead them up to such events as the 2010 World Equestrian Games and the 2012 Olympic Games.

Gina Miles, who won the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, will be competing on multiple horses in the national classes. Former Olympian, Jil Walton who was the top placed American at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, will be competing in the CCI2*, hoping to qualify for next years World Games. Canadian Olympian Chelan Kozak will compete in the Advanced and the CCI1*.

Although the CCI2* is light on entries, the field is strong. With only ten entries, the two star will find Julie Ann Boyer hard to beat. Julie and her mare, Rumorhazit won the CCI and CIC 2* here at Twin last year and the Galway downs CIC 2* last month. Kristi Nunnink and Shannon Lilley will ride their three-star horses in the CCI2*, as well as seven other very solid pairs. The winner will receive a custom Antares Saddle, embroidered cooler, 60-day supply of Succeed, and numerous other prizes and even cash.

Twenty-one riders will compete in the CCI1*, including the winner of the CIC* at Galway Downs last month, Lindsay Connors on Ballingowan Pizazz. Several young or green horses and riders will make up the rest of the field.

The first west coast Young Event Horse Qualifier for 2009 will take place on Thursday, April 16 at Twin Rivers. Seven horses will compete in the 4 year old class while ten will compete in the 5 year old class! Max McManamy’s now 5-year-old Project Runway (a Trakehner/Paint gelding by Darren Chiacchia’s long-time Advanced partner, Windfall) won the 4yo class at Twin Rivers last April and came 2^nd at the Young Horse Championships in Illinois. All the other horses in the 5yo class are new to the YEH program.

The sport of eventing is for all ages, gender, and ability levels. Twin Rivers Ranch happens to be one of the few facilities that offers competition from Beginner to Advanced all in one weekend!

Friday April 17 is dressage day, where the horses perform a designated test for a score. Saturday is the cross country phase, where the horses gallop at speeds of up to 25 mph over natural obstacles to include banks, ditches, water and big log combinations. Sunday is the final day of competition. Show jumping is where the horses are brought back into an arena to jump a technical course of colored rails.

The horses are examined by a veterinary panel before the competition begins and before the final show jumping phase takes place to ensure that the horses are in top condition. An additional class is being offered on Thursday 4/16 for Young Event Horses, ages 4 and 5 years old, starting at 9am.

Officials are flown in from around the country and volunteers from all around the local community are needed to run this top class event.

Spectators and press are welcome and encouraged to come see the excitement that will all be taking place at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, CA.

For more information, call Andrea 805-235-0412 (press phone number only please) or visit the website at www.twinriversranch.us . Public phone: 805-467-3585