If you’re in the Ohio River Valley or eastward, chances are you’re ready to build an ark. Record rainfall has made eventing difficult in this part of the country, and sadly Stuart Horse Trials in Victor, NY has become another victim of the weather. On July 4, the organizers of Stuart Horse Trials sent out the following email:
“It is with our deepest regret that we have to cancel the 2013 Cosequin Stuart Horse Trials. The safety of horses and riders are our top concern, and we could not ensure safe conditions at this time with the extremely wet footing and with more rain forecasted this week and next.Competitor’s USEA and USEF fees will be refunded as soon as possible. After all expenses are paid, we will see if further refunds are available for competitors. Thank you for your understanding.”
While competitors are surely disappointed at the cancellation of this year’s event, Megan Kaiser took the time to thank the organizers for their concern for the horses and riders in making this difficult decision. Thanks for writing, Megan, and thank you for reading.
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From Megan:
I had my preview of Stuart horse trials all written up yesterday, it just needed one last read through, and I was going to send it out. Then I heard the news, for the first time in its 24 year history, they had to cancel. The strangely wet summer had made Stuart the second horse trails to be called off in our area in two weeks.
Normally, around here we are all starting talk about the ground getting hard – but not this year. It’s wet, it’s hot, it’s buggy, and it’s wet. Stuart is known for its hilly and challenging cross country. It is part of what makes it so great, but this year, with these conditions, it wouldn’t be great.
I would like to thank Heidi Vahue for all her hard work and for making the difficult call to cancel – it is the right thing to do. It would be unfortunate for everyone, especially those that were planning on traveling from afar to expend that much time, money, and effort, only to be disappointed upon arrival.
Stuart is a staple of my summer and there are people that I only see at this show that I won’t be seeing: my friends from Maine pack up the two kids and two horses and travel down every year – but we know it’s the right thing to do and we are thankful that horsemanship is most important.
I do want to thank everyone who put in a tremendous amount of effort; it does not go unnoticed.
To all the sponsors, patrons, and vendors; thank you for standing behind our sport.
And to everyone: we will see you next year!
