Elite riders to showcase new ‘compact’ eventing class
American and Canadian eventers will compete at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida for the first time as a new $50,000 (£33,040) showcase has been created.
The new class, which will take place at the end of the month (30-31 January), will offer an advanced level horse trials in a compact format.
Dressage and showjumping will take place in the international ring at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) and the cross-country phase will use the grass derby field at the stadium and the adjacent polo field.
Mark Phillips will design the cross-county track — which will consist of 16 obstacles containing 20 jumping efforts.
This year the competition will be an invitational event for American and Canadian high performance riders.
“I’m excited to have eventing included as part of the WEF schedule at PBIEC,” said Olympic eventer Boyd Martin.
“I look forward to competing in this event to showcase our sport in front of a new audience.”
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The dressage phase will take place on the Friday (30 January) with the showjumping and cross-country taking place the next day. The cross-country will run in reverse order of standings following the first two disciplines.
The competition is being presented by Asheville Regional Airport, with additional sponsors Rolex, Land Rover and Adequan®.
“We are excited to have a third Olympic discipline at the PBIEC during the winter, and we look forward to welcoming eventing riders and fans,” said del-stated Equestrian Sport Productions’ Mark Bellissimo.
“We think there is a great opportunity to bring the sport of eventing to new heights in Wellington.”
The new class is also hoping to give spectators the chance to enjoy eventing in luxury style — with VIP seating with tables of six on offer for $1,500 (£990).
For more information visit www.PBIEC.com.
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.