Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials Ready for 25th Anniversary Weekend

Holly Payne and Madeline, winners of the Stuart CIC2* in 2012. Photo used with permission from Bill Gamble. Holly Payne and Madeline, winners of the Stuart CIC2* in 2012. Photo used with permission from Bill Gamble.

After an unfortunate cancellation last year due to flooded footing, Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials is back this year for the 25th anniversary of the event, which has become one of the most popular installations on the Area I summer calendar. With Derek di Grazia returning once again as course designer, it’s a top notch event that attracts the best horses and riders from the East Coast.

Former USEA President Kyra King Stuart founded the event in 1990 in Victor, N.Y., and has served as the volunteer organizer with her daughter, Heidi Stuart Vahue, for the past 19 years. Kyra received the USEA President’s Lifetime Achievement Award at last year’s convention, and she and Heidi were recognized on a more local scale last month at Victor’s town board meeting.

Town Supervisor Jack Marren honored Stuart Horse Trials with a town proclamation in the meeting, inviting all citizens and civic organizations to support the event due to its growth in recent years, as well as the positive economic impact the event has had on the community.

“The Stuart Horse Trials has grown from 70 riders in 1990 to over 200, and brings 10,000 visitors to this area annually,” Jack said. “The economic impact that is realized by area hotels, restaurants and other service businesses is significant and warrants this recognition. We are fortunate to have this prestigious event in our backyard.”

Victor Town Supervisor Jack Marren awards a town proclamation to Kyra King Stuart, center, and Heidi Stuart Vahue in honor of Stuart Horse Trials. Photo by Amy Blum.

Victor Town Supervisor Jack Marren awards a town proclamation to Kyra King Stuart, center, and Heidi Stuart Vahue in honor of Stuart Horse Trials. Photo by Amy Blum.

And the U.S. eventing community is fortunate to have Kyra and Heidi give of their time and resources to ensure the success of the event. This year, more than 250 riders will contest levels ranging from Junior Beginner Novice to the CIC2*, where riders like Phillip Dutton, Will Coleman, Ian Roberts, Jennie Brannigan and Daniel Clasing will battle it out for $5,000 in prize money. The CIC* division will award $2,500 in prize money.

In addition, the Hansen Family is sponsoring the Janet Hansen Independence Award in memory of her “can-do” attitude; the award will be given to the highest-placed Preliminary owner/rider. The Irish Draught Horse Society of North American and Thoroughbred Incentive Program are also sponsoring prizes, and Charles Owen will give its technical merit award.

That just scratches the surface of what’s going on this weekend at Stuart. EN’s awesome sponsor FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips will be applying free strips on Saturday for all competitors prior to their cross-country trips. Nan Rawlins will be stationed just outside the secretary’s tent near stabling. Just bring the coupon in your welcome packet with a clean equine nose in tow to get your horse ready to tackle the course.

Many thanks to Kyra, Heidi, and all the officials and volunteers for their hard work on what we’re sure will be a fantastic weekend for competitors, horses and spectators alike. Be sure to check back in over the weekend for score updates and results from the 25th anniversary of the Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials. Go Eventing.

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