Nov 21, 2019

USEA Events A-Z: St. Johns Horse Trials

By Jessica Duffy - USEA Staff
Rosenheim Photography Photo.

The St. Johns Horse Trials takes place at the St. Johns Equestrian Center in Saint Johns, Arizona (Area X) in April of each year, offering Pre-Comp through Preliminary/Training levels in addition to a derby class meant as an introduction to the sport for new horses and riders.

In the summer of 1981, Andrew Popiel helped run the very first horse trials at the St. Johns Equestrian Center. “In Area X, he was the Johnny Appleseed of horse trials,” said Mary Hendricks, current organizer of the St. Johns Horse Trials. “He went to places he thought would be amenable to putting on horse trials, and [the equestrian center in] St. Johns, Arizona has about 150 stalls, a racetrack, and a place for a cross-country course.”

By 1985, the Apache County Horsemen’s Association had taken over management of the event and when they no longer had the resources to maintain the event, a group of local horsemen stepped up to the plate. “They were great people in St. Johns that kept it going,” Hendricks said.

Rosenheim Photography Photo.

This group in turn passed the management of the event to the City of St. Johns, whose Recreation Manager at the time, Ross Carpenter, was put in charge. He managed the event for the next 10 years before he called Hendricks to see if she would be interested in taking over.

Hendricks was the Master of Foxhounds for the High Country Hounds in Flagstaff, Arizona, and helped with the organization of the High Country Horse Trials, a fundraiser event for the High Country Hounds. The High Country Hounds had an invitational hunt in St. Johns for a few years, and that was how Hendricks met Carpenter. “I talked to him and arranged to put up our horses and our hounds and host a hunt party in St. Johns,” Hendricks recalled. “I was working already with the folks in St. Johns and that’s how I came to mind to help with the horse trials.”

Rosenheim Photography Photo.

St. Johns is the county seat for Apache County, but still only boasts a population of a little over 3,500 people. “It’s a really amazing facility for a small town,” said Hendricks. “The facility has about 150 stalls, it’s no longer functioning but it had a racetrack, it has rodeo arenas, and it’s also the site for the Pony Club camp in June every year . . . it’s a nugget in the middle of Northeastern Arizona.”

The cross-country course at St. Johns, currently designed by Adrienne Doyal, features more traditional, natural-looking obstacles that fit in nicely with the rugged scenery. “It goes across the rolling countryside of sand and hills and shrubbery, it’s very lovely.”

“The town itself is very small, but friendly,” continued Hendricks. “It doesn’t have the usual amenities like big hotels so most people camp – we have a campground there with hookups for trailers and you can also dry camp . . . It’s a great place with a small-town feel with a friendly atmosphere.”

Rosenheim Photography Photo.

Hendricks made a point to emphasize how well she and the people of the town of St. Johns have been able to work together to make the event possible. “It’s a small community and they’ve just supported the horse trials all these years. It’s been a wonderful experience to work with the folks in the community.”

When it’s time for the horse trials, Hendricks makes the two-hour drive from her home in Flagstaff to come run the event in St. Johns. “I drive east and turn off to go south to St. Johns and as soon as I turn off, I lose cell service and I drive past the back entrance to the petrified forest and it just seems like I’m traveling back in time,” she said. “The countryside is so beautiful and it’s so peaceful and when I get to St. Johns it’s like a flower opening up. I see the facility and the changes and improvements we’ve made and I get to see my friends in the community. It’s a really welcoming little place in the world.”

Rosenheim Photography Photo.

“People really enjoy it for what it is,” Hendricks observed. “It’s a great place for horses that are starting out or nervous because it has such a low-key atmosphere. We’ve tried to accommodate people or horses that are new to eventing so that they have a smooth and successful start to the process of moving up . . . We’re on the competitors’ side – we want to know what their experience is and how we can improve it.”

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

Mar 19, 2024 Eventing News

Through the Lens: 2024 Carolina International

Top horses and riders headed to the Carolina Horse Park for the Setters' Run Farm Carolina International last weekend, held March 14-17. We were there to catch all the action in the premiere Yanmar America CCI4*-S division, which Liz Halliday and Miks Master C led from start to finish. Check out a few of our favorite photos from the open Intermdiate, Advanced, CCI3*-S, and CCI4*-S divisions!

Mar 18, 2024 Interscholastic

Double the Fun for the Spirit Award Contests at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships

The coveted Spirit Award, which originated from the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship and quickly became as important as the competition itself, will be returning this year with double the excitement at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships! With the two program championships merging for the first time, the organizing team at Stable View is committed to making the weekend an unforgettable experience for these middle school, high school, and undergraduate students. Separate Spirit Contests will be offered for each program , and Stable View has generously donated perpetual trophies for the two contest champions. The 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Championships will be held at the Stable View Local Charities H.T. on May 4-5, 2024 in Aiken, SC. Click here to learn more and prepare to enter on opening day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19!

Mar 17, 2024 Membership

Membership Minute: How Lucky I Am to Have My Horse

Sometimes all it takes is a little luck on your side to make your dreams come true. We recently asked our USEA membership to share why they feel so lucky to be partnered with the horses they compete with, and we received over 100 heartwarming stories! We compiled some of our favorites below in celebration of today’s luck-themed holiday.

Mar 16, 2024 Eventing News

Miks Master C Passes the Test at SRF Carolina International CCI4*-S

With Paris Olympic team selection this summer as a big goal, Liz Halliday headed out onto Ian Stark’s CCI4*-S cross-country course today at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International hoping to make the time with Miks Master C and show off a smooth round. After leading the division from day 1’s dressage on a 22.5, Halliday was able to accomplish both things and win aboard Ocala Horse Properties’ and Deborah Palmer’s 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF).

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA