Janine Jaro’s Trilogy: 2020 USEA Future Event Horse West Coast Champion. Photo by Tina Fitch Photography.
The first combined staging of the USEA Future Event Horse Championships and the USEA Dutta Corp. Young Horse West Coast Championships last year was a big success. This year’s Championships, set for Oct. 28 and 29 at Twin Rivers, reflects that success in greatly increased participation. In addition to strong turnout from USEA’s Area VI, Wyoming, Washington, Utah, Arizona and Oregon are among the further flung regions represented in the Championships.
Over 40 Future and Young Event Horses will demonstrate their potential and developing skills, not counting those who earn a spot in Thursday’s “last chance” qualifier.
Super Showcase
Over two days, the contenders will compete in age-appropriate tests: from being trotted on the triangle and observed under saddle and free jumping in a chute to dressage and jumping.
After three years hosting the USEA Future Event Horse West Coast Championships as a stand-alone competition, the Baxter family organizers understand the fine art of exposing youngsters to an international atmosphere without overwhelming them.
“We have decorations and banners up to expose them to what’s up with this level of competition,” says Andrea Baxter. Yet the stimuli exist in spaces that allow the horses to absorb them. Dressage, for example, will take place in Twin Rivers’ beautiful “Flag Arena,” which sits atop a hill and is surrounded by segments of the cross-country course and hilly vineyards in the distance. “It’s a big arena, so that should help them take it all in,” Andrea says.
As venue owners and competition organizers, the Baxters have always had a mission to provide a place to develop and showcase horses and riders bound for the sport’s highest levels. “We are really excited to finally have a chance to promote all the young horses in one spot,” Andrea explains of holding these championships concurrently for the second consecutive year. “We are looking for this to be a real showcase and we hope it will keep gaining momentum for years to come. Last year was a huge success and we are really excited to see so many more entries this year.”
Andrea has her new mare Liefhebber entered in the Young Event Horse Championships. Fresh from the Fair Hill International CCI5*-L with her veteran partner, Indy 500, Andrea will present future equine stars alongside fellow high-level competitors including Amber Birtcil, Rebecca Braitling, Joseph McKinley, Tamie Smith and Kaylawna Smith.
Chris Ryan of Ireland and Susan Graham White of the USA are judging the FEH Championships. Ryan and the USA’s Debbie Adams will officiate the Young Event Horse Championships.
Debbie judged the YEH West Coast Championships at Twin Rivers last year. “I was just blown away by what a good job they did,” said the New Jersey-based official at the show’s close in 2020. “I had no idea what to expect and, you know, you hear things: like the West Coast is not at the same standard as the East. But as soon as I walked the course and saw how the jumps were built, Peter (Gray, fellow judge) and I looked at each other and said, ‘This is amazing.’
Adri Doyal is on tap to design the courses.
Halloween One Day Schooling Show
Sunday’s One Day Halloween Schooling Horse Trials is a proud West Coast tradition poised for another busy day of horse and rider development and fun.
Sponsors & Volunteers
Twin Rivers is proud to host the USEA Future Event Horse and USEA Dutta Corp Young Horse West Coast Championships as part of its 2021 season. Presenting sponsors of the season include Professional’s Choice, manufacturers of sports medicine boots for equine athletes; and Auburn Labs, manufacturers of the adaptogenic APF Formula for horses, people and dogs; Best Western PLUS Black Oak, which offers exclusive discounts for exhibitors; and Get Away RV Rentals, which delivers fully-outfitted RVs to the venue for those who want to stay on site.
Supporting sponsors include Riding Warehouse, the horse gear and apparel supplier; Chubby Cov, makers of beautiful custom stock ties; and RevitaVet, a leader in preventative maintenance and rehabilitative infrared therapy devices.
Twin Rivers has a full slate of competition set for 2022, highlighted by the second running of the Spring International CCI4*-L in April. For 2022 sponsorship opportunities, contact Christina Gray of Gray Area Events at [email protected].
Volunteers will be a huge part of this weekend’s Championships, as they have been throughout the year from the CCI4*-L to the One Day Horse Trials. Twin Rivers’ generous incentive program includes vouchers for show stabling and credits for schooling between events at the beautiful 500-acre venue. That is in addition to the genuine appreciation of the Baxter family and the entire Twin Rivers team.
To sign up, please visit www.twinrivershorsepark/volunteer.
