East’s Best Horses and Riders
On Display at Strafford Event

Central Vermont residents will have the opportunity to watch some of the most talented horses and riders on the East Coast test their mettle next weekend at the Huntington Farm Horse Trials, which takes place at Huntington Farm in South Stafford on July 12-13.

Horses and riders will compete for top honors in the equestrian sport known as eventing. An Olympic sport since 1912, eventing is best described as an equestrian triathlon, with three phases that test the competitors’ skills in the ring, over fences, and galloping across the countryside.

Dressage, a sort of equestrian ballet, tests the horse and rider's ability to perform a series of prescribed classical movements in an enclosed arena.

During cross-country, horse and rider gallop over natural terrain, up and down hills, across ditches, and into water, leaping over a variety of imposing obstacles along the way.

In the show jumping phase, competitors make their way over a course of colorfully painted fences in an enclosed arena, making every attempt to leave all the fence rails in their cups when they cross the finish line.

The divisions of competition at this weekend are designed for horses and riders at almost all levels of the sport. Some will be able to use this competition as a stepping stone to qualify for international caliber events and, eventually the Olympic Games.

The public is invited to a day of fun in the sun and to experience the thrill of a sport that showcases the bravery and talent of the world's most amazing equine athletes and celebrates the unique partnership between horse and rider. Everyone is invited to see firsthand why more and more spectators are showing up each weekend to experience the thrill of one of the world's fastest growing equestrian sports.

The competition is tentatively scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information on the competition, contact Ann Kitchel at 765-4511.