Last March, we touched base with Colorado eventers as they prepared for and organized the inaugural Bayou Gulch Horse Trials at The Colorado Horse Park, thanks to the new ownership of Singletree Equestrian LLC.
Prior to the 2024 Bayou Gulch Horse Trials, it had been five years without eventing at The Colorado Horse Park.
The 2024 Event was a success, with beautiful weather, and divisions running from Starter-Modified with 150 competitors traveling to attend. I caught up with Heather McWilliams, registered Organizer of the Bayou Gulch Horse Trials, to discuss last year’s event, preparation for the 2025 season, and future plans to come.
“This year, we’re flipping the format, with show jumping on the last day in The Colorado Horse Park Coors Arena. It has amazing footing, and a great warm up, it will raise the experience on the final day for competitors and spectators alike ” Heather outlined. “Based on our responses from our Area IX survey, footing was top of the list of important qualities, which can be difficult out west. We’re renting the arena to have the best footing for our horses, and have purchased our own aerator to use it on the Bayou Gulch cross country land whenever we see fit.”
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While all three phases ran on the south side of the road last year, where The Colorado Horse Park cross country has been held previously, including for two Young Riders Championships and the 2018 American Eventing Championships, this coming year will include show jumping and prize giving in the Coors Arena, and will include stabling again at The Colorado Horse Park.
Having the facility back is big for the area. Heather has seen people drawn in from Arizona, Texas, Utah, Montana – 10 states in 2024 – as well as all over Colorado – it’s a great destination spot, with the high quality Colorado Horse Park facilities, and nearby Parker close to everything including the mountains, with plenty to do outside of the event.
“Last year, we invented the wheel, now we know a little better of what to expect,” Heather said. “It’s been well received, the community has been amazing and helpful – anything they can do financially, painting, mowing… it’s amazing to see people show up in different ways, and be excited to have eventing back at The Colorado Horse Park.”
Photo by JJ Sillman.
The volunteer spirit and sweat equity are helpful for a nonprofit organization and effort! As are sponsorships and assistance in funding efforts. Just as they did last year, Bayou Gulch Horse Trials is hosting the Bucks for Bayou Benefit, an online and in person auction on April 12th to help raise money for the event. Items such as a Tamie Smith lesson, a Daniel Steward coaching course, a subscription to RideIQ and more are available, with new items added daily. You can find auction items here.
These volunteer and funding efforts will see the addition of a Preliminary course this year and help in efforts to host a Bayou Gulch’s “Chill” CT on May 10th, cross country schooling on May 11th, Bayou Gulch Horse Trials August 2 & 3, and a nearby Daniel Stewart clinic August 23-24th.
“We want these schooling and educational efforts to promote eventing from a grassroots level, providing an open door at all levels, to equestrians of all disciplines,” Heather stated.”
Engaging with the equestrian community as a whole will emphasize the important role of equestrian sports in Douglas County. With a variety of people showing up in large numbers to participate in a horse sport, Heather is confident the interest will show how these resources can be used in the community. The level of interest in engaging in horse sports such as eventing can show the need to support horse spaces, such as providing large parking areas for trail heads, community arenas and trail courses, supporting venues such as the Horse Park, and more.
Eventually, Heather sees the event growing back towards what it was, hosting Young Riders, and the AECs. “We have beautiful and diverse ground, with terrain, gulches, water, trees, and lots to add overtime to keep the momentum building.”
Photo by JJ Sillman.
In addition to a fantastic venue, the Bayou Gulch Horse Trial crew seems to bring plenty of energy and spirit into the mix as well. “I just have so much appreciation for everyone who supported last year, and the ways in which they have and will again this year,” Heather expressed.
If you would like to extend support to our Colorado Eventers, the Bucks for Bayou Benefit is coming up on April 12th, and will include an online auction with national items. Additionally, there are sponsorship slots still available – contact the Bayou Gulch Horse Trials for more information at [email protected] or go to www.bayougulchhorsetrials.com.
