United States Eventing Association

Woodside International H.T. Set To Host West Coast FEH Championships and Adequan USEA Gold Cup Qualifier

Riders from around the West Coast will make the competition top-class at the Woodside International Horse Trials, Oct. 2-4, at the Horse Park At Woodside. The event will offer three international divisions - the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series CIC3*, the CIC2* and the CIC1*.

In the CIC3*, previous Woodside winner James Alliston, of San Ramon, CA, looks like the rider to beat, since he's entered his veterans Tivoli and Parker. Puerto Rico's Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy, fresh from their experience competing at the Pan American Games and the winners of the Woodside CIC2* in 2014, could be his toughest challenger, but several promising newcomers are ready to gallop boldly around the viewer-friendly cross-country course to keep the pressure on.

In all, 10 competitors are entered in the CIC3*. After the first two phases -the elegant dressage and precise show jumping on Friday-, they'll have to meet the test set by cross-country course designer Ian Stark on Saturday. Stark, a former British Olympian, designed his first courses at the Horse Park At Woodside in May, and he created a third water complex for that event. The new complex is in the southwest corner of the park, where no jumps had ever been before, but Stark said it won't be the same for this international event.

"[The course at] Woodside seemed to work well with the new layout we instituted in the spring," said Stark about his course plans for Woodside International. "So I plan to keep tweaking and altering around the course [adjusting the route]. Perhaps there will be a few more technical questions on the way down to the new water jump."

Some 24 competitors will test their mettle in the CIC2*, while 29 pairs will come forward for the CIC1*. Veterans on younger horses, and newcomers to the level alike will take part in these FEI divisions, joining more than 200 competitors at the six national levels.

"As our West Coast competitors gear up for the fall season, the Woodside International is a key part of their plans," said Organizer Robert Kellerhouse. "The FEI divisions are a key qualifying competition, and the national divisions provide important preparatory runs too."

"Ian's continued changes to the course will only increase the value of this competition for the fall season here in the West," he added.

The international division winners will receive their prizes at a grand catered awards ceremony and dinner on Saturday evening, starting at 6:00 p.m., complete with music and more. Fans and spectators are welcome. Tickets may be purchased at www.woodsideeventing.com

The Woodside International Horse Trials will continue on Sunday with both show jumping and cross-country for the Advanced, Intermediate, Preliminary, Training, Novice and Beginner Novice divisions.

On Thursday, the Woodside International Horse Trials will also host the West Coast Championships of the USEA's Future Event Horse Series presented by Priefert. This in-hand class for yearling, two- and three-year olds showcases the stars of the future in the sport of eventing. These young horses have received qualifying scores of 68% or greater throughout the year to be eligible for the championship. Each age group of young horses is judged separately on type and movement, and all are evaluated with future international eventing competition in mind.

About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series

The Woodside International H.T. is a qualifying Adequan USEA Gold Cup Event for the 2016 Gold Cup Finals which will be held September 1-4, 2016 in Tryon, N.C. The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced Horse Trials and CIC3* levels. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money in the Adequan Advanced Division and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many loyal sponsors: Adequan, Standlee Forage, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Point Two, Dubarry, and FITS.

The PRO Tour Series consists of 13 premier destination events in the United States and Canada, featuring the best riders and most entertainment. Riders and Horses are awarded points on the PRO Tour Rider Leader Board and PRO Tour Horse Leader Board.

The Professional Riders Organization would like to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2015 PRO Tour Series: KER Optimum Time, Tex Sutton, Triple Crown Nutrition, and SSG Riding Gloves.

About the USEA Future Event Horse Series presented by Priefert

The USEA Future Event Horse Series (FEH) was introduced in 2007 as a precursor to the already popular USEA Young Event Horse Series. The FEH program evaluates the potential of yearlings, two-year-olds, and three-year-olds to become successful upper level event horses. Each age group is judged separately, and genders within the age group are judged separately when the number of entries allows.

Horses must earn a minimum qualifying score of 68% to be eligible to compete in the FEH Championships. The West Coast Championship will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2015 at Woodside International (CA), and the East Coast Championship is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2015 at Loch Moy Farm (MD).

The USEA would also like to thank all of the generous FEH Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor:Priefert; Standlee Hay, Merck Animal Health, SmartPak, Pyranha Fly and Insect Control, and Professional’s Choice.