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May 21, 2020
Virginia Horse Trials Rescheduled to Run July 21-24
Virginia Horse Trials (VHT) has been approved to run at the Virginia Horse Center on July 21-24, 2020. This is the rescheduled date for the Memorial Day horse trials, which was forced to postpone as a result of COVID-19.
The plan is to run the same levels expected from the May event during the July edition, which includes Starter through Intermediate horse trials plus CCI*-L, CCI2*-S, CCI2*-L, and CCI3*-S. VHT in July will run on Tuesday through Friday, with national classes running as either a one-day or two-day competition.
“One of our main goals for rescheduling is to make sure competitors requiring qualifications will have the opportunity to obtain them. We have also opted to run midweek in order to reduce the impact on other weekend events,” said VHT Organizer Andy Bowles.
“We are trying to make the most of a frustrating situation for competitors and organizers around the country. Many events are attempting to reschedule, and competitors are very anxious to get back on course. I would like to thank the Virginia Horse Center for working us into their very busy schedule.”
VHT is working closely with the Virginia Horse Center to ensure compliance with all USEF, USEA, state, and local health and safety requirements. Bowles said, “We feel very confident, given the size of the Horse Center and our facilities, that we are in a good place to offer a safe competition.”
Some of the changes that will be implemented in order to ensure the safety and welfare of all participants include online entries and low density stabling. International horse inspections will be held in an open space, maintaining social distancing protocol. With much regret, the popular competitor party will not be offered, and there will be no award ceremonies. However, VHT is pleased to offer discount vouchers to future events to the top placing competitors in every division.
“Some things will be different, but what has not changed is our dedication to running a quality event. The high standards competitors have come to expect from VHT will be upheld,” Bowles said. “We hope to see many familiar faces at VHT in July and hope all our friends have been safe during this uncertain time. Hopefully our announcement today gives them something to look forward to.”
Please note, this change of date is for 2020 only. The November Virginia Horse Trials remains scheduled for October 29-November 1, 2020, and VHT’s standard Memorial Day date will resume in 2021.
Additional announcements and full details of the COVID-19 safety plan will be available on the VHT website prior to the event.
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In 2002, at the age of 15, I was at my Aunt and Uncle’s farm in Maine while Tremaine Cooper was there building some cross-country jumps. I helped him build a trakehner, not realizing that this day would set the course for my future. A few weeks later he called asking if I could help him at Millbrook Horse Trials. From there I helped Tremaine during most of my school vacations and throughout the summers. After graduating high school I kept at it never looking back. I lived the gypsy lifestyle for about six years going from coast to coast and event to event. In 2013 my wife Kathryn and I settled down in Lexington, Kentucky. These days I spend roughly 60-75 percent of my time on the road preparing events or building private schooling areas. I’ve had the privilege of being involved with some really great events around the states and have cultivated many friendships all over the country. In 2019 I was asked to be a part of Team Evans Olympic cross-country building crew. As I write this I am on my third trip to Tokyo. Here’s a day in Tokyo . . .
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