By Meredith Tipton
On June 22, a team from River Run Eventing in Hernando, Mississippi traveled to the Kentucky Horse Park to compete in the open horse trials at the Mid-South Region Pony Club event. The riders ranged from 12 years old to an adult pre-school teacher, and the horses ranged from a 5-year-old off-track Thoroughbred to a 25-year-old pony. Three of the riders placed in the top seven and the fourth rider narrowly missed finishing eighth.
They all rode in the “starter” division, a new USEA recognized test that consists of a beginner novice dressage test and cross country and show jumping courses at the 2’ height. For the River Run group, this was the first recognized event for both the riders and their mounts. Julia Hunsberger, 13, rode her Appendix gelding Honey Bear in their first show together since purchasing him a month and a half before the event. “Bear” previously had competed in dressage and had little jumping experience.
Missy Carlisle, an adult amateur who is a preschool teacher in Hernando, MS, took her Irish Thoroughbred Serendipity to their first big event. “Sarah” previously competed in hunters and had no eventing experience prior to this winter when Missy purchased her.
Cassidy Doss, 12, competed on her 5-year-old off-track Thoroughbred, Under the Mistletoe. Cassidy purchased “Ellie” in December when she was just four and had been off the track for a little over two months. At the time of the event she had been off the track for only nine months, but competing at a big venue such as the Kentucky Horse park did not phase this young mare.
The final pair from River Run were Lauren Rainwater, 12, and Meredith Tipton’s, Skippity Do Dah. Lauren, who has only been riding for one year, rode “Skip” the super pony, who at age 25 conquered his first recognized event. Better late than never!
At the end of the first day of competition, all four riders had nice dressage tests and clean show jumping rounds and were in the top 10 in their respected divisions. Lauren and Skip were first to go for the group on cross country, and they were fast and clean, finishing in 7th place in Starter division 1. Julia and Bear and Cassidy and Ellie also went double clear to finish the weekend in 3rd and 6th respectively in Starter Division 2. Missy and Sarah had a clean round, but unfortunately missed a fence and were technically eliminated. They would have finished in 8th.
Overall it was a fantastic first event! All four riders board and train at River Run Eventing in Hernando, MS and are now getting ready for their next recognized event this fall.
(photos by Steve Doss)
On June 22, a team from River Run Eventing in Hernando, Mississippi traveled to the Kentucky Horse Park to compete in the open horse trials at the Mid-South Region Pony Club event. The riders ranged from 12 years old to an adult pre-school teacher, and the horses ranged from a 5-year-old off-track Thoroughbred to a 25-year-old pony. Three of the riders placed in the top seven and the fourth rider narrowly missed finishing eighth.
They all rode in the “starter” division, a new USEA recognized test that consists of a beginner novice dressage test and cross country and show jumping courses at the 2’ height. For the River Run group, this was the first recognized event for both the riders and their mounts. Julia Hunsberger, 13, rode her Appendix gelding Honey Bear in their first show together since purchasing him a month and a half before the event. “Bear” previously had competed in dressage and had little jumping experience.
Missy Carlisle, an adult amateur who is a preschool teacher in Hernando, MS, took her Irish Thoroughbred Serendipity to their first big event. “Sarah” previously competed in hunters and had no eventing experience prior to this winter when Missy purchased her.
Cassidy Doss, 12, competed on her 5-year-old off-track Thoroughbred, Under the Mistletoe. Cassidy purchased “Ellie” in December when she was just four and had been off the track for a little over two months. At the time of the event she had been off the track for only nine months, but competing at a big venue such as the Kentucky Horse park did not phase this young mare.
The final pair from River Run were Lauren Rainwater, 12, and Meredith Tipton’s, Skippity Do Dah. Lauren, who has only been riding for one year, rode “Skip” the super pony, who at age 25 conquered his first recognized event. Better late than never!
At the end of the first day of competition, all four riders had nice dressage tests and clean show jumping rounds and were in the top 10 in their respected divisions. Lauren and Skip were first to go for the group on cross country, and they were fast and clean, finishing in 7th place in Starter division 1. Julia and Bear and Cassidy and Ellie also went double clear to finish the weekend in 3rd and 6th respectively in Starter Division 2. Missy and Sarah had a clean round, but unfortunately missed a fence and were technically eliminated. They would have finished in 8th.
Overall it was a fantastic first event! All four riders board and train at River Run Eventing in Hernando, MS and are now getting ready for their next recognized event this fall.
(photos by Steve Doss)
