Over the Walls Horse Trials Welcomes Its Family of Sponsors

Hardwick, MA—July 15, 2003—The Over the Walls Horse Trials, one of America’s premier eventing competitions, is pleased to acknowledge the generous support of its new and returning sponsors as it prepares to return on August 1-3, to picturesque Great Meadowbrook Farm in Hardwick, MA, owned by Erik Fleming and Olympic Gold Medalist Torrance Watkins.

The Over the Walls Horse Trials is comprised of three days of exciting equestrian action. More than 200 horses and riders from the U.S., Canada, Australia and other countries will be competing at the Advanced and Preliminary levels. Over the Walls will once again be hosting the National Advanced Horse Trials Championship, for the prestigious Jack Le Goff Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the top US horse and rider combination. There will be seven other Advanced and Preliminary divisions featuring world-class riders from all over the globe. Over the Walls is also the last selection trial for the Area I Young Riders before they head off to Bromont, Canada for the Young Riders Championship.

All of last year’s sponsors are returning to Over the Walls: Berkshire Blanket, who creates high-quality blankets from fleece, microfleece, cotton, and chenille; Crop & Carrot Tack Shop, Inc., carries a complete line of English and Western tack, as well as horse health products, stable supplies, riding apparel, jewelry, and gifts; Incentive Advertising, creators of custom embroidered and screen printed items for people, horses, and farms; Taylor Harris Insurance Services, worldwide equine insurance specialists, Yered Trailers, suppliers of new horse trailers; Towne & Country Gardens in Ware, MA providing all of the beautiful plant material that makes the course look magnificent; Charles Owen, makers of high quality protective head gear for riders; InterLeather at Round the Bend Tack Shop offering a full line of horse clothing and high-quality English equestrian products, Equilite, Higgins Motorsports, Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar , Morningfield Farm, Dunroamin County Club, providing free showers for competitors who camp out on the event site, Equine Journal, Padula Bros./John Deere, Cosequin®, Lameroux Ford, SmartPak Equine, Harbor Sweets, are all returning for another season. The Hyland Orchard & Brewery, Salem Cross Inn, Eagle Hill School and the Hardwick Vineyard & Winery will again enhance the competitors and volunteers party with their delicious food and drinks.

New sponsors for this year’s Over the Walls include: Der Dau Custom Made Boots and Shoes. For more than half a century, Der Dau has made the finest quality, handcrafted custom boots for the world’s most competitive equestrians. Tally Ho Products, manufacturers of quality equestrian bags, cases and genuine sheepskin products, Newbury Stable Services, suppliers of a full line of pine shavings, Blundstone Boots Equinesite.com, Pepsi, Tide, Fleece Works, Agway Feed & Nutrition, the Ware Big-Y Supermarket, Horse Whisperer, Practical Horseman, Salute to Horses & White Spruce Farm are all on board to help make Over The Walls a success.

“We are so grateful to all of our wonderful sponsors for their support and their generosity,” said Watkins, who competes internationally, trains horses and riders in the sport of eventing and also designs cross- country courses including Over The Walls. “Their participation has enabled us to make Over The Walls an even better event for the horses, their riders and spectators alike!”

In addition to witnessing world-class horses and riders galloping over green fields overlooking the Central Massachusetts Town of Hardwick, spectators at the 2003 Over the Walls Horse Trials can enjoy shopping at the event’s trade fair. Vendors will be on hand, offering gifts for home, people, and pets, horse supplies, tack and equipment, and everything for the horse enthusiast.

The Over the Walls Horse Trials is open to the public with free admission and a parking charge of $5.00 per carload, which includes a program. All parking proceeds will benefit the Windrush Farm Therapeutic Riding Program.

For more information, please visit the Over the Walls website at www.overthewalls.com.

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