GREENWOOD FARM FALL HORSE TRIALS IN WEATHERFORD

Presented by Charlie Gilchrist’s SouthWest Ford

This autumn’s Horse Trials, held on September 24-26, will feature the Chronicle of the Horse Central United States Adult Team Challenge. The Chronicle is a weekly magazine published in Middleburg, Virginia which covers all internationally recognized horse shows in the U.S. and abroad. Teams of four riders will compete for perpetual trophies permanently displayed at the Chronicle offices. Over 200 riders and horses will arrive in Weatherford for the Horse Trials.

In this horse triathlon known as “Three Day Eventing” or simply “Horse Trials”, a winning score takes plenty of practice and dedication. Entry-level jumps start at an inviting two feet. As each horse and rider team gains experience, they progress to increasingly intricate dressage tests requiring higher levels of training. The stadium jumping courses get higher, faster, and more demanding. The cross-country jumping courses, the special portion of this equestrian sport, become longer, and require even more rapid daring. The highest level of Greenwood’s six horse trial courses is Intermediate and is almost two miles long. It consists of jumps averaging four feet high, up to seven feet wide and includes hefty banks, steep drops, and water obstacles.

The event, presented by Charlie Gilchrist’s SouthWest Ford, is open to spectators free of charge. The Horse Trials are located at 2390 Greenwood Rd. in Weatherford. Food, tack, and specialty vendors will be on grounds. The tentative schedule is: Friday, September 24, 2:00 – 5:00 PM: dressage; Saturday, Sept. 25, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM: dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country jumping; and Sunday, Sept. 26, 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM: stadium jumping and cross-country jumping. Updates and further information will be on the website www.greenwoodfarmonline.com. For additional questions or requests, organizer Christie Tull can be reached at 817-599-8159 or at [email protected].