Hitchhiking to the WEG’s. Next Stop Richland Park Horse Trials
If I was hitchhiking to the World Equestrian Games then I’d definitely get picked up on the road to Richland Park Horse Trials. Every eventer under the sun is headed there this weekend including Will Coleman, Bruce and Buck Davidson, Mara Dean, Kim Severson, and Jose Ortelli. Don’t you wish you were with them (and if you are, lucky you!). It seems that the options for fine events in the US is endless and Richland Park Horse Trials is one of them.
Richland Park Horse Trials offers a CIC 3-star, CIC 2-star, as well as horse trial divisions Novice through Advanced. It’s one of the sites for the Adequan Gold Cup Series as well as the Young Event Horse Series plus the PRO Pro/Am Team Competition Series. Goodness, it will be an action packed weekend! If you can hardly wait for the event to begin then take a look at some of the photos from 2009.
The famed Olympic Medalist and Badminton winner, Ian Stark, has designed the cross-country course which means you’ll be getting the best of the best (with a Scottish accent which makes everything twice as nice).
(image via Dunster’s Equine)
The schedule will be busy and starts today with FEI stabling inspections. The rest of the weekend is as one might expect what with dressage on Thursday and Friday. But then Richland gets creative, running cross-country on both Saturday (including the CIC 3* and CIC 2*) and Sunday (Training and Novice) which I think is rather clever and fun.
Vendors and sponsors will be in attendance and I’d recommend checking them out if not because they’re providing critical support for the sport we love than because there are some delightful ones! I’m feeling partial to Bit of Britain: Since they’re one of the greatest 3-day eventing supporters; Cold Stone Creamery: Because it’s ice cream with delishousness in it!; Magic Tree Rocking Horses: Since they make such pretty, vintage-style rocking horses; and Xpress Photo: Since the photographers are always the ones out there in the heat/ sleet/ fog/ rain getting that perfect shot capturing your grin that says it all.
Battle Creek Enquirer has already picked up on the competition so you may want to check in and see what they have to say (good things!).
If you won’t be riding this weekend but want to fill up the tank and hit the road you can plan on paying $10 for a single day or $15 for the weekend. But don’t despair. All parking proceeds will go to Chaff Therapeutic Riding Center in Augusta, Michigan which provides riding experiences for special needs children and adults. Isn’t that the loveliest thing you’ve ever heard?
If you have a moment I recommend looking into the history of Richland which is as heart warming as it is inspiring. Live your dreams, right? And live it up at Richland Park Horse Trials!
