Nov 07, 2016

Willow Draw Donates $10,000 of Horse Trial Proceeds to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

The volunteer crew at Willow Draw presenting their $10,000 check for St. Jude Children's Research Center. Terrie Hatcher Photo.

Saturday, November 5th was the second USEA-recognized charity horse trials at Willow Draw in Weatherford, Texas. Owners and organizers Tre’ and Janet Book donated $10,000 of proceeds to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, an internationally famous organization specializing in treating and studying life-threatening childhood cancer and other diseases.

Kiamesha Wilson traveled from Memphis, Tennessee to accept the donation on behalf of St. Jude. It was Wilson’s first look at a horse trials in action. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Wilson. “It is amazing what horses can do! St. Jude is grateful for the support of these horsemen and women and will put the funds to good use to help sick children.”

Kiamesha Wilson alongside Tre' and Janet Brook and Adri Lea Doyal. Terrie Hatcher Photo.

Wilson explained that “Saddle Up for St. Jude!” is a program allowing horse events of any kind to become a St. Jude fund-raising event. Willow Draw’s Volunteer Coordinator, Renee Smith, helped distribute t-shirts and caps to the volunteers and children to celebrate and raise awareness for “Saddle Up for St. Jude!” horse events.

Willow Draw’s lovely course and facilities shown brightly through the overcast but dry one-day horse trials. Competitors shared favorable comments on the footing. Course designer Adri Lea Doyal has said that she likes using creative décor to enhance the traditional course that reached into the hilly area of Willow Draw’s terrain. Course decorator Debra Sue Waters added her own picnic baskets and other touches as well. Deeda Randle came from Wyoming to act as Technical Delegate, with Amanda Miller-Atkins from North Carolina serving as the Ground Jury.

Willow Draw is actively expanding the Preliminary course working toward the debut of the CIC* and CCI* courses at a horse trials fully dedicated to these divisions, help September 29 – October 1, 2017.

Mary Hirsch Photo.

In addition, Willow Draw has two additional USEA fixtures on the 2017 calendar, a one-day horse trial on May 27, 2017, and a two-day horse trial on the weekend following the FEI event, October 7-8, 2017.

Tre’ and Janet Book are committed to using the USEA recognized horse trials at Willow Draw benefit worthy charities. The Books have selected charities using their own review criteria for the charities they benefit, including effective assistance and financial and accountability ratings. Earlier in 2016 the horse trials donated $10,000 to Semper Fi Fund, an organization working with wounded veterans.

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Apr 26, 2025 Competitions

What Happened Where? 2025 Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S Cross-Country Rewind

In Derek di Grazia’s CCI4*-S cross-country course this morning at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, there were two obvious challenges: the time and the Mighty Moguls question early on in the course at fence 4.

Apr 26, 2025 Competitions

The 2025 K3DE Daily: Cross-Country Day

If you are wanting to get a good parking spot at the Kentucky Horse Park this morning, you better be on your way as early as possible! Cross-country day at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event is easily the busiest day the Kentucky Horse Park sees each year, so it's time to grab your coffee and go ensure you get the viewing spot you want for both the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L divisions today.

Apr 25, 2025 Competitions

2025 K3DE Rider Talk: What Are They Saying About Cross-Country?

Riders in both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L are sharing similar sentiments about this year's cross-country courses: course designer Derek di Grazia didn't play around this year. Here is what some of the riders across both divisions had to say about the tracks they will aim to conquer on Saturday.

Apr 25, 2025 Competitions

Off the Record Breaks Records in Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at Defender Kentucky

Off The Record decided not to let Michael Jung be the only record-breaking entry at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this week and delivered a career-best score in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S on Friday morning. He and Will Coleman delivered a test that received a score of 21.8, not only marking a personal best for the horse but also securing their position at the top of the leaderboard going into cross-country tomorrow.

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