Login
Oct 04, 2018
USEA Events A-Z: Longleaf Pine Horse Trials
The Longleaf Pine Horse Trials are held every April at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, North Carolina (Area II) and offer Beginner Novice through Preliminary level horse trials as well as Beginner Novice through Advanced combined tests.
The Longleaf Pine Horse Trials celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016, making it one of the longest running events in Area II. In the beginning, the event ran at Longleaf Pine Farm, a racehorse breeding and breaking facility in the heart of Southern Pines, North Carolina. The original organizers were racehorse breeder Cosy Lathrop and equestrian professionals Sue and Buck Smithson. In 2000, the competition moved to the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, North Carolina where it is now held annually. The Carolina Horse Park continues to uphold Cosy’s level of passion and dedication to the sport.
Sue Smithson has been an integral part of the event since its inception. She has had a hand in almost every role including organizer, President of the Ground Jury, Technical Delegate, Dressage Judge, Show Jumping Judge, Dressage Steward, volunteer . . . the list goes on! Following the move to the Carolina Horse Park, devoted volunteer and familiar face Margaret Crevar took on the role of coordinating the dressage and show jumping. She works tirelessly to ensure these phases run smoothly while also working a full-time job.
The Carolina Horse Park is a prestigious multi-disciplined venue and home of the Cloud 11~Gavilan North LLC Carolina International CIC and Horse Trials. The 250-acre park has multiple all-weather arenas, Green as Grass through Advanced level cross-country course, steeplechase track, driving obstacles, and top-notch stabling.
The cross-country courses for the Longleaf Pine Horse Trials are designed by Janine McClain of Bethel, Vermont. The encouraging and straightforward courses are set over rolling terrain on meticulously maintained footing. McClain is adept at asking questions appropriate for each level making every course challenging and fun. Beginner Novice through Preliminary riders can expect competitive dressage and thoughtfully designed show jumping courses on our state-of-the-art Attwood Footing.
The Longleaf Pine Horse Trials is also part of the Carolina Eventing Challenge. A Championship award is presented to the Preliminary, Training, Novice, and Beginner Novice lowest score winner from the three participating competitions: Southern Pine Horse Trials, Longleaf Pine Horse Trials, and Heart of the Carolinas Horse Trials. Horse and Rider combinations that compete at all three competitions are eligible for the Championship prizes!
The organizers want eventers to know Longleaf Pine Horse Trial is run to the same standard as every Carolina Horse Park event. The Park focuses on horse and rider safety as well as offering unparalleled competitor and volunteer hospitality. Every year, we look forward to welcoming competitors to Longleaf Pine Horse Trials and continuing the tradition Cosy Lathrop started 42 years ago.
The USEA is profiling the history behind all USEA recognized events in the USEA Events A-Z series.
Dec 23, 2024
Education
Saddle Fit Simplified
Eventers who are new to the sport may feel a little overwhelmed by the often-misunderstood world of saddle fitting. Riders are often bombarded with information from peers online or self-described experts, putting them at risk of following bad advice related to equipment that impacts horse welfare perhaps more than any other piece of tack. Finding a qualified expert to answer these questions is crucial. Who better to turn to than both a qualified Master Saddle Fitter and a fourth-generation saddle designer to answer some of these questions?
Dec 22, 2024
USEA Foundation
Top Tips for Applying for a USEA Foundation Grant
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
Dec 21, 2024
Education
3 Ways to Help Eventing Thrive in 2025
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Dec 20, 2024
Sponsor
“Happy Horse Equals Happy Judge”: Ask An Expert with Dressage Judge Peter Gray, Brought to You by Ride iQ
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.
