A beautiful sunrise at The Fork. Photo by Mollie Staretorp.
The Fork will debut exciting new changes for its 2016 horse trials, which are scheduled for April 6-10 in Norwood, North Carolina, and always highly anticipated as the final preparation event before Rolex.
Mollie Staretorp, event coordinator for The Fork, said the organizers have listened closely to competitor feedback from last year’s event and initiated multiple improvements as a result, chiefly focusing on footing and entertainment upgrades.
“Eric Reid re-graded the arenas in the fall and has been on the grounds regularly re-working the footing to make it softer,” Mollie said. “He will be here again in March to work on the arenas again so we can have them in the best possible condition for the event.”
The arenas have been re-graded and the footing re-worked for this year’s event. Photo by Bernadette Cogdell.
The Fork grounds crew has also re-graded the trails that run from temporary stabling to the arenas and cross country course, and gravel and sand will be laid on the trails in the coming weeks. “If it rains during the event, the trails will still be a really nice walk for everyone,” Mollie said.
Tremaine Cooper will also unveil a new look on the cross country course, which will run in reverse direction this year. “His goal in reversing the track is to give a more open, galloping feel to the course,” Mollie said. “The sunken road is also being changed to incorporate a more natural slope that will make it far more inviting.”
We can also expect Tremaine to design “some similar fences and questions to what horses and riders might see at Rolex,” Mollie said. Stay tuned to EN for a sneak peek of the course leading up to the event.
Eric Reid has re-graded the trails that run between temporary stabling and the arenas. Photo by Bernadette Cogdell.
Competitors will also have their own “home base” this year, as The Fork is converting the maintenance shed that sits about halfway between temporary stabling and the arenas as an area to provide hospitality. The building also has restrooms, air conditioning and heat.
Another major initiative this year is to up the ante with entertainment and improve the parties at the event, and Mollie said competitors will be able to sing karaoke and also enjoy live music in either temporary stabling or the hospitality shed.
Perhaps the most exciting news of all: the wine bar is returning to the main barn this year! Photo by Mollie Staretorp.
“We’re really looking forward to unveiling the improvements and hosting a great event for the riders and horses,” Mollie said.
Entries for The Fork open today; click here to view the omnibus listing. VIP tickets are available at this link, and general information about the event is at this link.
EN is excited to check out the improvements at one of our favorite events, and we’re especially excited now that we’ve heard the popular wine bar is returning to the main barn this year!
Go Eventing.
