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Aug 08, 2019
Woodside Modified Training Challenge Draws Big Field
The newly minted Pan American Games team gold medalist Tamie Smith; Olympic silver medalist Gina Miles; and World Cup Finalist Jennifer Macouzet-Wooten are among the equestrian stars bound for this weekend’s Summer Event at Woodside. But a different level of riders will dominate the spotlight thanks to tremendous response for the inaugural Modified Training Challenge, the centerpiece of the August 9-11 competition at The Horse Park at Woodside.
A field of 40 is set to contest the innovative “M-Training Challenge,” designed to prepare and showcase horses and riders moving up from standard Training level’s test of scope and skill in dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. Run to the standards identified in the USEF rulebook as the Modified-Training division, the M-Training Challenge adds difficulty across the board without requiring the full step up to Preliminary.
The idea sprang from discussions between organizer Robert Kellerhouse and West Coast riders and owners. It is modeled on the super successful Preliminary Challenge, which for 11 years has showcased contenders at that level in a Saturday night dinner gala during the show jumping finale. The M-Training Challenge concludes with a ringside BBQ dinner Saturday night, too. (Click to purchase dinner tickets.) Top contenders vie for $2,500 in cash in both the horse and rider divisions and a new saddle that will go to the overall lowest scoring pair.
Entries are also strong for the rest of the Summer Event’s divisions: Intro to Intermediate, plus Future Event Horse Yearling, 2-year-old, and 3-year-old tests.
Pony Club Celebration
The Pony Club Celebration is another new Summer Event attraction. All participating United States Pony Club members will receive recognition on the online results and special first and second place Pony Club ribbons will be presented in Intro through Preliminary during each division’s winners ceremony.
“We really appreciate Robert Kellerhouse and the Horse Park at Woodside for all the things they’ve done for Pony Club,” notes Mid-Cal Pony Club Regional Supervisor Kathryn Schulz. “It’s really great to have other organizations recognize the value of Pony Club.” Outside of their special recognition in the program and winners circle, Pony Clubbers will likely be wearing their club’s pins and they are expected to turn out in force for Saturday night’s BBQ party.
Volunteer Spots Open!
Volunteers are needed and this is a great way to get involved and support the sport, as well as meet nice people. Woodside Eventing offers branded swag and credits toward future entries, and the United States Eventing Association’s Volunteer Incentive Program logs hours for year-end national recognition and prizes. Click here to sign up.. The VIP program was guided by the late and much-missed Don Trotter of Sunsprite Warmbloods; many have already signed up to volunteer in his honor.
Oct 27, 2021
Education
Horse Industry Trends -Lessons from STRIDER & EQUITANA USA
If you were involved in equestrian sports at all last year, you probably noticed how COVID incentivized the industry to make a few changes in day-to-day business operations. The United States Eventing Association (USEA) caught up with the STRIDER leadership team to learn more about recent industry trends after their trip earlier this month to EQUITANA USA at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Oct 26, 2021
Competitions
US Equestrian Announces Additional CCI4*-S, CCI3*-L, and Advanced Level Competitions for 2023-2027
US Equestrian is pleased to announce two additional competitions approved by the USEF Board of Directors to host CCI4*-S, CCI3*-L, and Advanced level events during the 2023-2027 competition cycle under the new Eventing Calendar Process. The Florida Horse Park has been allocated the CCI4*-S, CCI3*-L, and Advanced levels on Week 16 and the Advanced level on Week 40.
Oct 26, 2021
Volunteers
The VIP Volunteer: Jim Moyer
If you take one look at Jim Moyer’s Facebook page, you will see it is filled with sweet sentiments from the lives he has touched through his work in the equine industry. Moyer’s involvement with horses began when he met his future wife Jean 50 years ago. As Jean went on to become a prominent instructor in eventing, Moyer found that their friend circle was full of horse people, so it was only natural that he should find his place in the community.
Oct 25, 2021
Competitions
Winning Day for the Law Family: Great Britain's Leslie Law Claims CCI4*-S and Open Prelim Victories at The Event at TerraNova
Horses and riders in 12 divisions, from Starter to CCI4*-S, tackled the show jumping phase of competition Sunday at The Event at TerraNova, over a track designed by Nick Granat in the world-class setting of the main arena. Prize money was awarded in all divisions.
