United States Eventing Association

USEA Events A-Z: Majestic Oaks Horse Trials

The Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks in Reddick, Florida (Area III) ran for the first time in the fall of 2018 and will host two events in 2019 offering Starter through Preliminary divisions.

We purchased Majestic Oaks in August of 2017. The previous owner, Richard Trayford of Equiventures, had held the Exmoor Horse Trials on the property, as well as schooling shows and clinics. Equiventures scheduled a USEA recognized event during October 2017, and we were able to observe, meet a number of riders, and become acquainted with Nancy Russell. She was the show secretary at the time and was able to provide us with a great deal of information needed to be able to continue using the grounds for recognized events and schooling shows. Subsequent to that event, Nancy Russell has been our guiding light through all the necessary elements of recognized events and schooling shows.

We applied for a received our first license for a recognized show in January 2018. Due to the time constraints, however we were not able to run a recognized event, but we did schedule a schooling show where 140 participants came to Majestic Oaks. We subsequently applied for and received two more licenses for recognized events at Majestic Oaks in 2019.

We have a great number of people who have been instrumental in our voyage. First, Nancy Russell, who has helped guide us through the myriad of protocols, policies, and procedures, and John Williams, who designed our first course. Cyndi Kurth helped guide us through the application process and the officials at the USEA and USEF assisted us as well. Local riders and trainers Lisa Murphy, Chris Aytug, Carol Ogden, Natalia Neneman, Katie Walker, Sinead Halpin, Tik Maynard, Clayton Fredricks, Charlie Hicks, the army of volunteers, Emily Holmes from the Florida Horse Park and Nick Godano, the list goes on. I know that I may have missed a number of our incredible supporters and my apologies in advance. Just know that from the very first moment we arrived on this beautiful farm, the warmth, acceptance, and the embrace from our community has been overwhelming.

The facilities at Majestic Oaks include 32 stalls and approximately 100 acres of gently rolling terrain, ditches, a water jump, and flat areas. There are oak trees located in clusters and cleared flat areas of lush Bahia grass used for show jumps, dressage arenas, and parking. We wanted to maintain and improve the venue and to provide both local, state, and national riders who come to Florida for the winter with a place that was well-maintained, user-friendly, and has a range of jumps from Tadpole/Starter through Preliminary.

Our events are special to us because we feel a deep sense of commitment from our entire Majestic Oaks team to the riders, the volunteers, and the spectators. We care that they have a rewarding and fun experience while on our grounds and that their time spent with us brings a smile to their faces. We try to improve the quality of their experience with each passing schooling show and recognized event.

Majestic Oaks was recently honored with two awards: the Florida Horse Trials Association "Outstanding Commitment Spurring Others to Realize Dreams with Horses" and the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District "Farm of Environmental Distinction" awards.

We look forward and with great anticipation to when the first trailer turns into our parking lot at dawn, guided by their headlights towards our Show Office. All the stress and work leading up to that moment evaporate into a memory as they exit their vehicles and enter our office.

We would like our community of eventers to know that we truly value their participation in our events and strive to exceed their expectations each time they cross our threshold. We understand and appreciate the fact that they make it all happen for all venues, and we remain grateful that they are continuing to come to Majestic Oaks in increasing numbers!

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