Friend of EN Margaret Rizzo McKelvy sent in this great recap written by Sue O’Donnell about the Full Moon Farm Aloha Starter Horse Trials in Finksburg, Md. The starter trials offer a laid-back atmosphere that encourages casual Hawaiian dress and even gives riders a free smoothie if they’re brave enough to ride their dressage tests in a bikini top. Go Full Moon Farm!
From Sue:
Grass skirts, fruit smoothies, and horses in coconut bras? No, you didn’t bonk your head and wake up in Hawaii, you just wandered into the annual Full Moon Farm Aloha Starter Horse Trials! Started last year, the Aloha Horse Trials is a great way to enjoy an unrecognized horse trial while beating the July heat. With close to 150 entries this year, the event is really starting to gain some momentum, and how could it not — free smoothies from Joni at the Fruit ‘n Ice Connection stand if you ride your dressage test in a bikini top!
Even with the not quite mandatory Hawaiian shirt rule, the Aloha Horse Trials brings with it everything you want from an unrecognized event along with Full Moon’s emphasis on safety, education, and fun. Bringing along a young horse or looking to gain some more eventing experience? They even offer the option of extra dressage, show jumping or cross-country rides if you and your horse are up to it following your regular scheduled ride.
Keep an eye out for next year’s date. They’re getting bigger all the time, and you don’t want to miss out! And make sure you have the first Full Moon USEA Recognized Horse Trials on your calendar! Sponsored by our friends at Frankel Automotive, the Frankel Automotive Group Horse Trial on Nov. 17 is sure to be a hit.