Guest writer Ali Smallpage has written a quick preview of Otter Creek Horse Trials, which she will be attending this weekend. From reading Ali’s article, I’m jealous that I won’t be there this weekend but good luck to all of the competitors who will. Otter Cree dressage starts today. [Otter Creek Live Scores]
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From Ali:
Otter Creek Farm is hosting a horse trial this weekend. It is a staple in Area IV as a destination event. I’ve been a regular at Otter Creek since moving to the area in 2000. I’ve taken lessons, participated in clinics, and competed at their events. I’ve had all kinds of “learning experiences” at Otter Creek, from being eliminated at beginner novice and novice, to winning at preliminary. No matter the results at the end of the weekend, they have a legendary competitor party with a mantra similar to Las Vegas: “What happens at Otter, stays at Otter”.
Otter Creek Farm in located in Wheeler, Wisconsin and is owned by Mark and Lena Warner. They have owned the 300 acre farm since 1978 and it didn’t have anything but weeds growing at the time. Otter Creek started out as a dairy with 50 cows. (That would have several horses heading back to the barns now-a-days, I’m sure!) Several years later, they sold the cows and brought on a few horses and a bit later, a few broodmares. They now run a successful breeding program. The first horse show held on the grounds was in 1992 with the first recognized event in 1999.
Mark and Lena live and breathe the life they have built on the farm. It requires a lot of hard work but they find it very rewarding. Their goal has always been to make each show the best they can and they plan to continue doing this for as long as they are still capable. Lena says, “Having people and horses come to compete, learn, or just to ride for fun is the biggest reward we can ask for!”
Over the years, they have added so much to their farm. The cross country now boasts levels Starter-Intermediate. In the earlier years, the dressage and show jumping were both held on grass, but are now held in one of their three sand arenas. The Pine Ring is 240′ x 100′, the Stone Ring is 260′ x 245′, and the Flower Ring is 245′ x 198′. These arenas also host four recognized and two schooling dressage shows, and a recognized hunter/jumper show each year. Otter Creek also hosts the Midwest Junior Challenge, which is a fun schooling show for the 21 and under crowd with hunter, jumper, dressage, eventing, costume, and many more fun classes! In order to ensure a lovely time for their competitors, they added more permanent stabling totaling 121 stalls, and they still bring in 80+ temporary stalls for to contain the demand of competitors at each of their shows.
This year, Otter Creek is hosting three recognized events, one in May, August, and September. Their Spring Horse Trial in the past has hosted CIC* and CIC** divisions. This spring, they are adding Starter, P/T, and I/P divisions at all three events. The Summer Horse Trial held in August is a brand new addition for them this year. The Summer Horse Trial boasts the USEA/The Chronicle of the Horse Central Adult Team Challenge. Are you out of breath
If that’s not enough, there’s the 2011 North Country Eventing Challenge! The Challenge? Compete at all five events: Otter Creek Horse Trials: May 20-22, August 12-14, September 23-25, and Roebke’s Run Horse Trials (MN): July 16-17, October 7-9. The lowest combined score from all five events wins the $2500 cash prize! More details here.
As you can see, Mark and Lena are working very hard to make Otter Creek a world class facility. They truly support eventing and horses, and work each and every day to ensure we eventers have a place where we can enjoy our sport. [This is a gentle reminder to make sure you are doing you part to support eventing through volunteering or donations, so that Mark, Lena, and other great hardworking supporters of eventing are continuously reminded why they work tirelessly.] There will be coverage of the event this weekend so look out for that! Leave a comment if you’ll be there competing, volunteering, officiating, groom, spectating, etc! I hope to see you there.
