United States Eventing Association

USEA Events A-Z: Bucks County Horse Park Horse Trials

The Bucks County Horse Park Horse Trials, located in Revere, Pennsylvania (Area II), hosts two recognized events a year, in June and September, in addition to numerous other equestrian events for a variety of disciplines. Entries for their September Horse Trials open next Tuesday, July 25, where they are offering Beginner Novice through Preliminary/Training divisions.

The Bucks County Horse Park Horse Trials was inaugurated in 1995 and has been running continuously since then. As with all events, an extremely dedicated staff oversees the event and strives to make it as competitor-friendly as possible. The Horse Trials grew out of an excess of enthusiasm on the part of its initial crew to create a great, working environment for low-level riders to experience a well-run event. This enthusiasm is sometimes a bit hard to find in the rain or heat, but always our 130 competitors know that we have their interests at heart, no matter the situation!

Currently, our event offers Beginner Novice through Preliminary/Training levels. Each course is carefully thought out by our course designer, Susan MacRae, and implemented by our course manager, Duncan MacRae. Peter Daniel, our head of maintenance at the Park, corrals his staff into presenting a beautiful, well put-together venue for each horse trial. As with all events, volunteers make up the core of the staff on the actual competition day. Without our many volunteers, we simply could not present an event to our competitors! We try to make our volunteers feel special by having a designated hostess to the volunteers; Anita M. has been fulfilling this role since the inception of the Bucks County Horse Park Horse Trials. We pride ourselves on running a competition that is on time just about always; our stadium stewards, Patty W. and Jeff C., are great at getting those “multiple rides” in the arena quickly and efficiently.

Since Bucks County Horse Park itself hosts 48 different equestrian events throughout the year, from 4-H shows to driving shows to pace events to dressage shows, it is amazing to see the transformation each year from “cross-country fences” to “HORSE TRIAL CROSS-COUNTRY FENCES!” Our decorating crew takes great pains to make the course look spectacular and “special” to our friends and competitors. We think they succeed each and every time! The course design itself is open and flowing. The designer takes pride in creating a course that makes riders think but is inviting to the horses. Our course is considered moderate for the level but does contain banks, water and ditches. The fences are solid and help a horse jump well. Dressage, show jumping and cross-country are in close proximity to parking, and the secretary’s office and other vendors, including food, are centrally located.

When speaking to new or prospective riders at our event, we always stress that we are a problem-solving bunch! We pride ourselves on being receptive and responsive to all riders and trainers. The September Horse Trials open on July 25^th with $10 cash back to complete entries received by August 4^th. Come try Bucks County Horse Park Horse Trials! You won’t be sorry you did!

The USEA is profiling the history behind all USEA recognized events in the USEA Events A­-Z series.