(Press release)

Local residents will have the opportunity to watch some of the most talented horses and riders in the West test their mettle next weekend at the Meadow Creek Park Fall Horse Trials, which takes place at Meadow Creek Park in Kosse, Texas on October 10th – 11th.

Horses and riders from all over the area will compete for top honors in the equestrian sport known as eventing. An Olympic sport since 1912, eventing is best described as an equestrian triathlon, with three phases that test the competitors’ skills in the ring, over fences, and galloping across the countryside. Dressage, a sort of equestrian ballet, tests the horse and rider's ability to perform a series of prescribed classical movements in an enclosed arena. During cross-country, horse and rider gallop over natural terrain, up and down hills, across ditches, and into water, leaping over a variety of imposing obstacles along the way. In the show jumping phase, competitors make their way over a course of colorfully painted fences in an enclosed arena, making every attempt to leave all the fence rails in their cups when they cross the finish line.

The divisions of competition at this weekend are designed for horses and riders at almost all levels of the sport. While some will be content to win ribbons and bragging rights, others will also use this competition as a stepping stone to hopefully qualify for international caliber events in order to pursue their goal of one day representing their country at the Olympic Games.

But you don't have to have Olympic dreams to enjoy a day of fun in the sun and experience the thrill of a sport that showcases the bravery and talent of the world's most amazing equine athletes and celebrates the unique partnership between horse and rider. Everyone is invited to see firsthand why more and more spectators are showing up each weekend to experience the thrill of one of the world's fastest growing equestrian sports.

Meadow Creek Park is located at 1332 South Highway in Kosse, Texas. The competition is tentatively scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday and 8:00 a.m. on Sunday.

For more information on the competition, contact Jodye Lindsey at (254) 375-2719. For more information on the sport of eventing and the United States Eventing Association, contact Emily Daily at (703) 779-0440, ext. 3015, or email emily@useventing.com, or visit the USEA website at www.useventing.com.