Amber Levine & Cinzano receive the inaugural McKinlaigh Cup, presented by Thom Schulz, during the inaugural CCI4*-L. Photo by Ride On Photo.
The complete realization of a dream hatched 20 years ago and steadily advanced since then occurred April 8-11 with the Twin Rivers Spring International. From the presentation of the McKinlaigh Cup to the winner of the inaugural CCI4*-L, Amber Levine and Cinzano, to those testing their skills at Beginner Novice over five full days of competition, Twin Rivers’ mission of hosting highest quality eventing competition was realized.
Nearly 500 horse/rider pairs used every inch of the spring-green 500-acre property. Earth moving miracles, expert footing management and creative course design gave all tracks a fresh feel. A highlight is entirely new segments on previously unused property for the Long formats. International division dressage took place atop the hill in the Flag Ring, with colorful banners gracing a new Jog Lane and amplifying the electric atmosphere. New permanent show stabling welcomed many horses.
Spectators couldn’t come, but the Ride On Video livestream logged 55 hours of viewership from close to 4,000 fans. Sponsors stepped up with $15,000 in prizes. The mammoth task of running multiple divisions over multiple days was handled with smooth efficiency, with the safety and enjoyment of all as the top priority. Reflecting the community’s embrace of Twin Rivers, volunteers came out in force to fill the unusually high need over five days.
Twin Rivers’ owners, the Baxter family — immediate and extended — pulled off this remarkable feat. They could rest on their laurels.
They’re not.
Upgrades to courses, footing, stabling and landscaping are poised to welcome a full slate of competition through the year. Like the venue itself, the Twin Rivers calendar is growing in stature as it hosts an increasing number of regional, national and internationally significant events.
Summer Horse Trials
The Summer Horse Trials will host an Interscholastic Eventing League Team Challenge during its July 1-4 staging. This is a new US Eventing Association program designed for Middle and High School age eventers, paralleling similar programs in the hunter/jumper and dressage disciplines. The IEL Team Challenges give young riders a feel for the USEA’s Intercollegiate Eventing Program, through forming, practicing with and representing their team in competition. Twin Rivers is proud to support this new endeavor.
Introductory through Advanced pairs will contest the Horse Trials. Also on the agenda are qualifiers for the USEA Future Event Horse and USEA Dutta Corp. Young Event Horse West Coast Championships. (This will be staged for a second time together at Twin Rivers in October.) Summer Horse Trials entries open May 18 and close June 15.
The Fall International
The Fall International, Sept. 23-26, is a jewel in the West Coast eventing circuit. Divisions up to CCI4*-S are highlights alongside a first hosting of the Adequan/USEF Youth Team Challenge. An evolution of the North American Youth Championship program, this new Nations Cup-style format for 14-25 year-old riders involves a series of Challenges, culminating in a West and East Coast Final.
October’s Young Horse Championships
The final major event of the season is the USEA Future Event Horse & USEA Dutta Corp. Young Event Horse West Coast Championships (and an FEH qualifier), Oct. 29-30. The Twin Rivers team went out on a limb hosting both West Coast championships concurrently for the first-time last year and to very positive response. Expectations are high for an even better, bigger experience this fall.
Get Involved: Volunteer & Sponsor!
A generous volunteer incentive program continues through the year. Full-day helpers receive $60 vouchers toward future competitions, half-day helpers earn $30 vouchers. Each show’s volunteers are entered into a drawing for prize packs filled with useful goodies from Twin Rivers sponsors. Hours are tracked through the year for entry into a year-end raffle. Prizes include a Twin Rivers entry, stabling, cross-country schooling voucher and more.
Presenting sponsors include Professional’s Choice, manufacturers of sports medicine boots for equine athletes; Auburn Labs, manufacturers of the adaptogenic APF Formula for horses, people and dogs; Best Western PLUS Black Oak, which offers exclusive discounts for exhibitors; and Get Away RV Rentals, which delivers fully-outfitted RVs to the venue for those who want to stay on site.
Supporting sponsors include Riding Warehouse, the horse gear and apparel supplier; Chubby Cov, makers of beautiful custom stock ties, and RevitaVet Light Therapy, an industry leader in preventative maintenance and rehabilitative devices.
In between the major competitions, Twin Rivers hosts one-day events in eventing and dressage, and clinics. Year-round, the venue is open for cross-country schooling by advance reservation.
Twin Rivers Ranch memberships include unlimited access to all open facilities — for two horses with the same owner. Members are exempt from non-member fees at all schooling shows, and family members and/or additional horses can be added to the Twin Rivers Ranch membership at a modest additional cost.
The Calendar
Schooling One Day Horse Trials: May 23
Schooling Show: June 6
CDS Dressage: June 12-13
Summer Horse Trials: July 1-4 (featuring the Interscholastic Eventing League Team Challenge)
Area VI Adult Camp: July 30-31
CDS Dressage: Aug. 14-15
Fall International: Sept. 23-26 (featuring the Adequan/USEF Youth Team Challenge)
USEA Future Event Horse & USEA Dutta Corp. Young Event Horse West Coast Championships (and an FEH qualifier), Oct. 29-30.
Schooling Halloween Horse Trials: Oct. 31
Fast Facts:
Sponsorship Inquiries: Christina Gray at Gray Area Events for sponsorship opportunities: email: [email protected].
Location: 8715 N. River Road, Paso Robles, CA. 93446; email: [email protected]
Ride Times: Available www.twinrivershorsepark.com a few days before competition begins.
Results: www.twinrivershorsepark.com
Show Photographer: Ride On Photo by Tayler
Video: Ride On Video
Volunteer: www.twinrivershorsepark.com/volunteer
