The Virginia Horse Trials CCI/CIC got started today with the First Horse Inspection for the CCI* and CCI2* divisions. With nearly 550 horses entered in the CCI*, CCI2*, CIC2*, Area II Championships, Beginner Novice through Intermediate horse trials and an Adult Team Challenge, we’re in for a very busy weekend!
“We are thrilled with the turnout for this year’s fall event. We have about 50 more entries than we did this time last year and it’s great to see the event growing and a positive response to the new CCI2*,” VHT organizer Andy Bowles said in a statement. “A lot is going on between the FEI classes, the Adult Team Challenge and the Area II Championships, but we have a great staff here to help everything run smoothly and we are looking forward to a great event.”
Boyd Martin was first down the centerline today, competing Christine Turner’s Kyra in the CIC2*. Boyd has a total of eight horses competing at VHT this weekend, including two in the CCI2*. Having missed Fair Hill International while competing at the Pau CCI4* in France earlier this month, Boyd said he was glad to have another fall CCI2* to aim for. Hosting a CCI2* for the first time this weekend, VHT is now one of only three fall CCI2* events on the East Coast besides Fair Hill and the new Ocala Jockey Club International Three-Day Event in Florida on Thanksgiving weekend.
“The venue is well suited to a CCI. It’s a big open space with undulating country and the jumping and dressage is always top notch here,” Boyd said. “(The entries) are impressive and it goes to show how strong the sport of eventing is in America at the moment. I’m excited to be a part of it.”
VHT has posted a ton of photos on Facebook today, giving us a peak at the cross country courses designed by John Nicholson (NZL) and John Michael Durr as well as some shots from the First Horse Inspection.
Also, the planets aligned for not one, not two, but THREE EN writers to be on site at the event at the same time (cheer on Jenni and Wylie, who are competing, too!), so look forward to tons of content to come from Virginia Horse Trials.
[Virginia Horse Center Welcomes Over 500 Horses at Fall CCI/CIC and Horse Trials]
Virginia CCI/CIC & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status]