Kurt Martin and Anna Bella at the 2015 Eventing Prix Invitational. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The $15,000 Ocala Horse Properties Eventing Prix Invitational is set to return in March at Southern Cross Equestrian in Reddick, Florida. With a $1,000 1.15m speed class on March 5 and a $15,000 1.30m class on March 6, the Eventing Prix Invitational offers a perfect opportunity for top riders to jump the colored poles ahead of Red Hills International Horse Trials.
Ocala Horse Properties is returning as the title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, and Matt Varney said it is one of his favorite shows to sponsor. “It feels like a big picnic and everyone has such a great time. Max Corcoran and Scotty Keach do such a fantastic job of hosting the show, and the facility has a great atmosphere for it.”
Marc Donovan is returning once again as course designer, and we can expect a very exciting two days of show jumping action. The show kicks off on Monday, March 5 with the $1,000 1.15m speed class, in which invited riders can bring two horses.
The $15,000 1.30m class will take place Tuesday, March 6 in a team format. To be eligible to compete, riders must have competed at the Intermediate level or higher in the last 12 months, or have won a CCI4*. Horses must have competed at Intermediate level or higher in the last 24 months.
The first round in the 1.30m class will determine the team results, and the top 10 combinations — or all pairs that jumped clears in the first round — will return for the second round jump off.
We already have a sneak peek at three of the teams that will compete:
Lauren Keiffer
Kurt Martin
Will Coleman
Mara DePuy
Selena O’Hanlon
Jessica Phoenix
Holly Jacks-Smither
Colleen Loach
Sara Kozumplik Murphy
Joe Meyer
Bobby Meyerhoff
Sharon White
The Eventing Prix Invitational is free to attend and open to the public, and spectators are encouraged to bring a chair and a picnic. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase on the grounds.
Tables in the ringside VIP tent are available at $600 for six seats with food provided by Celebrations Catering. Contact Denise Goya at [email protected] or 617-224-6325 to reserve a table. There will also be an after party with live music and culinary master Joe Meyer manning the barbecue.
Additional sponsorship opportunities for the Eventing Prix Invitational are still available. Those interested in supporting the event can contact Max Corcoran at [email protected] or 540-295-4326.
If you can’t be in Ocala to watch the Eventing Prix Invitational live, Joel Wiessner of EQTV Network once again will be live streaming the competition, and you can watch right here on EN. We hope to see you there! Southern Cross is located at 13440 NW Highway 225, Reddick, FL 32686.
