The Spring Event at Woodside

Natalie Kuhny was at The Spring Event at Woodside (CA) this past weekend and kindly sent us some photos and a brief write-up from the event.  Frequent west coast contributor Bill Olson was also in attendance, and sent us some pictures as well.  Many thanks to Natalie and Bill for making us feel like we were there!  Congrats to all competitors, and thank you for reading.  [Woodside Results]

Kiera Carter and Corinthoz (Preliminary Challenge Rider 1st place). Photo by Natalie Kuhny

From Natalie:

The Horse Park at Woodside hosts some of the most exciting events in California. Robert Kellerhouse organizes fantastic events, and the Spring Horse Trials did not disappoint. By far the best part about the Spring Event at Woodside was the Preliminary Challenge, where young riders and adult amateurs riding at the preliminary level, and riders with preliminary level horses, compete for $15,000 in cash awards and additional prizes. The highlight of the Preliminary Challenge is the Preliminary Challenge Gala Dinner on Saturday night, where spectators sit under large tents, eat a fantastic meal provided by Kahoots Catering, and watch the ten top riders from the Preliminary Challenge Horse and Rider divisions compete for the prize and title! In a finish that wasn’t decided until the last riders, Kiera Carter and Corinthoz captured the blue ribbon in the Preliminary Rider Challenge and Matthew Brown on Che Landscape won the Preliminary Horse Challenge.  But no matter where you landed in the placings, it was just fun to participate in a show with a big time “Rolex” feel, and it made all of the riders want to push ourselves to do our absolute best.

The show included levels from Beginner Novice through Advanced.  Barbara Crabo and Eveready took home first in the Advanced Division, while James Alliston and Mojo placed second. In the Intermediate division, Matthew Brown and Super Socks BCF earned first place and Tamra Smith and Normandy Soldier received second. In the Open Preliminary division, Matthew Brown and BCF Belicoso won the division and Kelly Pugh and D.O.D Rockefeller (owned by David Garret) took second place. Finally, in the Preliminary Rider division, Fiona Clyde-Brockway and Say It Again won, and Ruth Bley and Rodrigue Du Granit placed second.

Woodside itself is a fantastic venue. The cross country course is always groomed and provides a lot of opportunities to learn to handle new obstacles. Every course I have ridden at the horse park has helped me improve as a rider. This weekend, I had one of my best rides on my horse by simply enjoying myself and having fun. That’s what our sport is about. Woodside is always a good time and is a spectacular place to learn!