Utah Eventers Seek Support to Build Their Dream Course

Hanna Aharonov and Dance. Photo by Lorraine Jackson. Hanna Aharonov and Dance. Photo by Lorraine Jackson.

As Shakespeare once said, “Though she be but little, she is fierce.” I’m certain he was talking about Area IX.

In the vast, rural western landscape known as Area IX, which incorporates Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, and most of Montana and Idaho, the possibility of adding another eventing facility and recognized event is more than just a pleasant convenience — it’s absolutely critical to the continued growth and success of the sport in the American west.

Such an opportunity presented itself in the picturesque rural town of Mount Pleasant, Utah, where the local officials offered up an unprecedented and ideal up-and-coming facility for Area IX eventers to make their mark. The public equestrian center has, in addition to existing arenas, stalls and other logistical infrastructure, 60+ raw rolling acres ideally suited to a recognized cross country course.

Their only requirement: Prove that there is meaningful support for this from local eventers and the greater national sport, and raise the money to build your dream cross country course yourself (to the tune of around $50,000).

A View of Horseshoe Mountain above Mount Pleasant, Utah. Photo Courtesy of Skyline Eventing Park.

A view of Horseshoe Mountain looming above Mount Pleasant, Utah. Photo Courtesy of Skyline Eventing Park.

The effort is being spearheaded by Dr. Summer Peterson, an equine veterinarian and Prelim eventer who lives in the same county as the proposed site.

“For eventers in Utah, this is huge, because we only have one recognized event and one full recognized course through Prelim in the whole state,” Summer said. “This could open up the possibility for people to justify becoming USEA members who would otherwise just do local mini events.”

And the facts support Summer’s theory. In her state of Utah, the lone recognized event at Golden Spike in Ogden garnered 75 entries this year, but the unrecognized mini-event at the same venue attracted 100 entrants with a sizable waiting list.

And compare the Area IX omnibus in 2014, which put on 10 events, to its eastern neighbors in Area IV, which put on 18 events. There’s nearly twice as many opportunities to be had. That’s eight more chances to place, to finish, to qualify. And that means more riders and horses moving up the levels and toward the pinnacle of the sport.

But it’s also about more than just the number of events and venues. It’s the MILES Area IX eventers have to put in to qualify for regional championships or the American Eventing Championships. Whereas someone in Area II may never need to drive further than four hours to hit a dozen events, the die-hard competitors of Areas IX and X don’t blink at driving 10 to 12 hours for a chance at glory.

As Area IX Chair Dick Farmer of Abbe Ranch put it, “The heavy travel hits them hardest, (but) it’s true that we respond to greater distances by traveling farther.”

A formal committee of local eventers has been formed, and planning is well under way for the site being called Skyline Eventing Park. “S” course designer James Atkinson has been out to the site multiple times to plot a course that runs through Preliminary level, and “r” course designer David Koss is assisting James in the design and construction. Course walks for the proposed tracks are now available on the park’s website for Intro, Beginner Novice, Novice and Training level.

A Sneak Peak at the Training Level Course at Skyline Eventing Park, courtesy of MyCourseWalk.

A sneak peak at the Training level course at Skyline Eventing Park, courtesy of MyCourseWalk.

Committee member and local eventer Carrie Matteson captures the enthusiasm for the project best: “I am an eventer. I event. It’s become who I am and what I love. This new course will be amazing, and it will be an asset to the eventers in Utah and the surrounding states. We just need our fellow eventers to throw some support our way so we can get started!”

For more information on Skyline Eventing Park, visit its website at www.skylinexc.com. (Update: Chinch crashed the website, so please visit the Facebook page in the meantime). There is also a GoFundMe site for donors under $100 (“no amount is too small!” says Summer), or if you’d like to make a tax deductible donation or provide corporate sponsorship, you can contact Summer directly at [email protected].

Go Eventing.

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