Willow Draw in Weatherford, TX (Area V) is sharing two important announcements:
Preparation for the November 5th horse trials and the 2017 CIC* and CCI* courses are in the hands of course designe rAdri Lea Doyal. Course development includes the addition of new signature obstacles created by Marvin Savage.
Adri Doyal spoke of her philosophy of course design as “conscientious”, producing a course that “takes riders a bit out of their comfort zone, but is still horse-friendly even if a rider makes a mistake”. Adri says she approaches her courses as “apiece of music that builds from an inviting beginning to the challenging high notes and more complex rhythms, then finishes on softer tones."
Organizer Tre’ Book and Adri are in agreement that even though they enjoy adding newer jump materials and designs, they “don’t want a course like an over-sized derby field”. So, evolving aesthetics are being creatively built into a traditional, forward-thinking ride.
Tre’ Book emphasizes that “We are grateful for the trust that Siobhan O’Brien and the Area V council has placed with us during Willow Draw’s first year of USEA recognized horse trials”. Tre’ and Janet Book continue to put the emphasis on a safe, smoothly-run event. Outstanding courses and a great competitor experience is the priority for Willow Draw horse trials.
Although pleased to present their new USEA-recognized events, Tre’ and Janet Book see Willow Draw’s first priority as a schooling and training facility. Many options are being built to move even things such as walls and trakheners to keep the course fresh and useful for Area V riders during the months after the horse trials.
Possibly the only thing more unsettling than being a horse owner experiencing an infectious disease outbreak on their farm is to be a veterinarian who experiences one.
The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is proud to announce the first class of USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Judges have completed their certifications through the YEH New Judge Education Program, which was led by YEH faculty member, Marilyn Payne.
Nazila Hejazi and her 20-year-old Missouri Fox Trotter mare, Tessa, may have made for an unconventional pair at the USEA Area VI Championships, held in October at Galway Downs (Temecula, California) but they didn’t let that hold them back. It’s uncommon to see a horse in their twenties still competing in eventing, and even more rare for a gaited horse to compete in a jumping sport.
Today, we pause to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on the powerful moment in 1963 when he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared his vision for a better future. Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech was more than just words; it was a call to action that transcended time, culture, and boundaries—a beacon of hope that continues to inspire.