I don’t want to steal Jon’s thunder, but I will preface his article by–spoiler alert–agreeing with him wholeheartedly that Red Hills is an amazing competitor experience. I have had the privilege of competing at Red Hills several times and my two biggest memories are being scared to death by the cross-country course and my appreciation to the event for making every competitor feel like a world class competitor at a world class event. Take it away Jon…
—- 
From Jon Holling:
Well here we all are just a few days before the biggest event thus far in the season. Red Hills is without a doubt a very big deal. It is the first time in the spring season that many of the top horse and rider combinations all meet up in one place to compete against each other. For that reason alone the first weekend of March in Tallahassee is important. But there is something even more special about this place, and this particular event. I honestly can’t say it is any one aspect of the event that makes it so special. For me it will always hold a special place in my heart. Red Hills is undoubtedly where I have had my most memorable moments as a competitor and a horseman. I was fortunate enough to win the World Cup division there in 2007 with my horse Lion King. It was without a doubt my biggest achievement at the time as a competitor. I returned in 2008 ready to defend my win only to be handed a huge can of disappointment. Such is life with horses. If I learned anything in 2008 it was to enjoy the moment that you are in, because you never know what may come next. Keeping that lesson in the forefront of my thoughts, I am very excited to be returning this year with a horse in the CIC** and one in the Intermediate horse trials. I intend to enjoy every moment of the competition on these two great animals and I may even allow myself to look forward to the possibilities of being in the CIC*** next season with a few members of my great young string.
So what is it that makes Red Hills so special? I can really only speak about it as a competitor. I think the biggest thing is the feeling you get from the moment you pull into the venue. From the minute you step foot on the property, everyone associated with the event does everything they can to make you feel important. I know every event we attend feels this way, but Red Hills really goes the extra mile. The group of people that the organizers have assembled in Tallahassee are second to none. I honestly consider every one of them my friend and I know that all the competitors feel the same way. There is no way they couldn’t. Add the atmosphere that is created by the huge trade fair, and all of the local community that shows up by the bus load and you start to get the feeling of a big time event. And that is precisely what Red Hills is, a big time event. I am honored to be a part of it, and proud to have been a past winner of it. I guess my main goal is to say thank you in some way that is more meaningful to everyone involved in the event. If you ever get the chance to attend Red Hills either as a competitor or a spectator I promise you will not be disappointed.
