Show jumping at the EI Horse Trials. Photo by Karlin Ekberg.
Equestrians Institute (EI) hosted the first event on Area VII’s 2014 calendar and the inaugural USEA horse trials at the Washington State Horse Park last weekend. As the first event of the season, entries filled quickly, with a wait list for levels from Starter to Training/Prelim.
Still tired and a little sore from the weekend’s workload, Meika Decher, the eventing director of Equestrians Institute, reflected on her Polestar Farm blog: “Overall, the Equestrians Institute H.T. event went very well. We had 265 competitors at a new venue, and all in all, it ran smoothly, on time and with a lot of happy riders.”
Leigh Mesher riding Revolutionist in Open Training. Photo by Michelle Grimmer.
Many horses and riders had positive experiences at this year’s opening event. “Organizers and volunteers did an outstanding job,” trainer Michele Pestl said. “It was a very well-run first event — a success for EI and the Washington State Horse Park.”
Event mom Sally Brown says her daughter, Krisalyn, had a fantastic first-ever event in the Starter division with her 8-year-old pony, Linoleum. “It was a great event, and they did a really good job putting it on,” Sally said. “I wish more of (the events) had Starter division like here.”
Competitors, spectators and volunteers snapped candids from the weekend, with many smiles all around. Thanks to everyone who helped capture the fun!
[EI Horse Trials Final Results]
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- Leigh Mesher riding her rescue horse, Astranomical. Photo by Suzie Mulligan.
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- Erica Reagan riding Fran. Photo by Emily Pestl-Dimmit.
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- Photo by Karlin Ekberg.
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- Anna Collier and Bandit D, winners in Open Novice. Photo by Kristi Cetak.
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- Leigh Mesher riding Revolutionist in Open Training. Photo by Michelle Grimmer.
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- Sarah Matuszewski riding Saint Ignatius in Open Training. Photo by Michelle Grimmer.
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- Benjamin Wyant on Aerial (owned by Fran Wyant). Photo by Michelle Grimmer.
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- Novice cross-country at the water complex. Photo by Katie Gauthier.
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- Maddie Myers and Wendy Darling in Jr. BN. Photo by Emily Pestl-Dimmit.
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- James Green and Coolnamara, 2nd place in Sr. Novice Rider. Photo by Emily Pestl-Dimmit.
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- Photo by Karlin Ekberg.
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- Show jumping at the EI Horse Trials. Photo by Karlin Ekberg.
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- Krisalyn Brown and Linoleum, 5th place in Starter. Photo by Sally Brown.
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- Area VII Young Rider social. Photo by Julie Vaschon.
