Hello California! 2017 Woodside Preliminary Challenge Course Walk

11 – Slab Table. Photo via Woodside’s Facebook Page.

West coast riders are gearing up for the 2017 Spring Event at Woodside which features 22 divisions including the the ninth annual Preliminary Challenge.

The Preliminary Challenge is a special competition held each year that gives horses and riders who have not yet competed above Preliminary level a taste of top class competition (with top class prize money!) tailored specifically for them. Forty-seven competitors are entered across the horse and rider challenge divisions this year. 

The competition begins tomorrow at 8:00 am with the Preliminary Rider Challenge division, followed by the Preliminary Horse Challenge division at noon. In addition to the Challenge divisions, EN will also be following the Advanced division which begins with dressage tomorrow at 11 am. 

Ian Stark returns as course designer for all levels this weekend, and we got an up close look at the Preliminary Challenge course thanks to our friends at Woodside! The course includes 27 jumping efforts over 2,860 meters. Riders will be aiming to come in under the optimum time of 6 minutes and 30 seconds. Check out the course walk below:

The Spring Event at Woodside: Website, Entry Status/Ride Times, EN’s Coverage