At EN, we are happy to promote events…without the tireless work of organizers, secretaries, and volunteers behind the scenes, this great sport would not exist. We are delighted to share the preparations and excitement for the upcoming Southern Eighths/Nikon Three-Day Event. Read an earlier introduction to So8ths here. Thanks to Diana De Rosa for sending this article to us.
Eventing Nation Hears From Southern Eighths Farm
by Diana De Rosa
As Southern 8ths Farm approaches its upcoming So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event in the “Heart of the Carolinas” May 3-6 preparations continue to move along. Even the local community is feeling the positive impact of having this major event in their neighborhood.
“By offering the ultimate location for equestrian training focusing on riding skills, Southern 8ths Farm brings an exciting new dimension that enhances the charm of Chesterfield County,” noted Brenda Workman, Executive Director of the Chesterfield County Economic Development Alliance. “Southern 8ths has ramped up the attractiveness and vitality of our area by creating awareness about equestrian sport, inspiring us to embrace and support the global horse community.”
Supporting the local community is key to Southern 8ths owner Brad Turley who is thrilled to hear comments like Brenda’s.
“We have worked closely with the Economic Development staff to help bring others to the area and enjoy Chesterfield County. Being in ‘The Heart of the Carolinas’ has a lot of benefits and we appreciate all the community has done for us,” he commented.
“Brad’s spirit for community is evident not only in the unique equestrian venue he has brought to Chesterfield County and the local horse community, but his software company, Continuum Performance Systems, has partnered with Northeastern Technical College to establish an Entrepreneurship Development Grant to assist promising entrepreneurs in achieving their dreams,” Wylie Bell, the College’s public relations coordinator, said. “We envision this grant creating many success stories and driving economic growth in rural South Carolina.”
That same energy that Brad brings to his business, he has also brought to his farm to ensure that the venue is up to the close scrutiny of the competitors. If last year’s riders are any indication of how the riders feel about all he has done, then the future is promising for those competing at the Beginner Novice through Training levels.
Jim Baker
For this update on Southern 8ths I mostly wanted to focus on an interesting note from one of last year’s competitors, Jim Baker. I think Jim offers a great perspective from someone who has been to and competed at Southern 8ths. He goes to other events as a volunteer and/or competitor and was amazed at what an incredible job Southern 8ths Farm did for its first recognized event in 2011 and is already planning to attend again this year. In 2011, Jim competed at Beginner level on a horse named Wings who needed to get some experience. Jim asked if I would mind having him share some of his thoughts. So, here goes.
“This past spring and fall I had the chance to work the boxes for my daughter at some other events where she competed. All those other events were run by people with vast experience in doing Three-Day events. The events were well organized from the competition standpoint.
“However, there were differences beginning first with stabling. The temporary stalls used at the other events were small and usually laid out in some pasture with uneven ground. Larger horses, which are a trend in Eventing, do not fit into a temporary stall well. There are issues with the horse lying down because there is not enough room. When it rains, which it did at all events, including Southern 8ths, the water runs through the stalls.
“The temporary stalls in a pasture become a sea of mud quickly in front and around the stalls. Some of the permanent stalls are well worn with probably a great history (if the walls could talk) but held together with bailing twine and nails. Water is usually a spigot outside or a water truck which means washing your horse bucket by bucket.
“Compare that to the Southern 8ths permanent stalls, which are new, big, dry and very homey for a horse. The wash stalls are like at home with a full complement of hoses, hot water and cross ties. There are graveled areas, which means little to no mud being an issue in and around the stabling.
“The food served at Southern 8ths was gourmet level. The typical competitor party, if they serve food at all, involves something easy to produce in large quantities such as spaghetti, certainly edible but not the catered meals offered at Southern 8ths. I have always thought it a bit odd that riders are athletes who are competing over a series of days, but there is no thought put to what they should be eating to maintain performance – calories or carbohydrate replacement, protein intake, etc. The quality of natural foods offered at So8ths did allow for picking and choosing what an athlete should have beginning with the fruit and yogurt offered in the morning to the salads and proteins offered in the evenings.
“Another comparison is the Roads & Tracks at the other events, which are well worn trails through the woods or around the edge of a pasture. The footing is what is there. So8ths made the effort to truck in sand on their trails and to groom their trails before the event, meaning no wash outs, no slippery corners, and well-marked.
“The C & D boxes at the other events were just areas in a field – there was no formal fencing, temporary or otherwise. This means things get spread out some. The vets are usually qualified due to their certification, but the vet techs took an unnecessary amount of time to get temperature, respiration and heart rate – like 3+ minutes of your 10 minute box. This delayed icing and walking and cooling of the horse and upset the game plan for the 10 minute box. This was sort of unnerving to the competitor because of not knowing if you could get out on time. The vet techs were new and inexperienced – which contributed to the delays. The So8ths techs were experienced and done within a minute, very smooth operation at So8ths.
“Competitor interaction at other events was no different than a short format event. You get to know those around your stall but not really anyone else. The So8ths meetings, social activities and entertainment lent itself to interaction with lots of others and with the officials. So8ths was a more festive atmosphere over the number of days. At So8ths they had a nightly camp fire, a Nikon Scavenger Photo Hunt and all was great.
“One very significant advantage of So8ths was the large grassed pasture next to stabling where you could graze your horse. The 3 day format means 4+ days in a stall and allowing a horse to stretch it legs and graze is very comforting and relaxing for the horse. At other events one has to catch grass alongside a road or wherever you can.
“One drawback of So8ths is the appearance of no nearby accommodations. I stayed in my trailer but I have no clue where anyone else stayed or would stay. This year they’ve indicated they are going to supply the exhibitors with a list of local accommodations, restaurants and other necessities.”
Of course we are thrilled with all that Jim had to say because a lot of time and effort was put into last year’s event and will be put into this year’s event to give amateur riders and training level horses access to topnotch facilities just like the professionals have when they are competing in the upper level events.
When Brad created his farm he too had experienced all the things that Jim has indicated; very well-run events by competent people but not enough thought put to what happens behind-the-scenes.
“I believe that the Long Format is special and that we owe it to our riders to make it a memorable experience. We couldn’t be more pleased that the USEA agreed and helped by recognizing the BN and N levels this year. We hope that the 2012 So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event creates some very special memories …and of course a lot of smiles,” noted Brad.
We’ll continue to update you on a regular basis to give you a look at what it takes to prepare for the So8ths/Nikon Three-Day Event. And if you’d like to get a sense of what last year’s event was all about, go to So8ths YouTube page and take a video tour: http://www.youtube.com/user/
