Hardwick, MA—March 15, 2004—The Over Walls Horse Trials will host the final Qualifier for the 2004 Eventing World Cup at Great Meadowbrook Farm in Hardwick, MA, July 30 — August 1, 2004.

The World Cup Qualifier at Over The Walls will be last of four held in the United States in 2004 in which the nation’s best eventing horses and riders will compete for the right to represent the United States at the 2004 Eventing World Cup Finals held in Pau, France on October 20-24. The qualifier at Over The Walls will follow the first two qualifiers held at Galway Downs in Temecula, CA, and Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, FL, in March and the third held in July at The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, MT.

“We are honored to host the final Eventing World Cup Qualifier at this year’s Over The Walls,” said Torrance Watkins, the 1984 Olympic team Gold Medalist. Watkins, along with her partner Erik Fleming, designs and organizes the Over The Walls Horse Trials at their central Massachusetts farm. “It’ll be a real treat for spectators, giving them the opportunity to see the world’s top horses and riders compete.”

Besides the Eventing World Cup Qualifier, the 2004 Over The Walls Horse Trials will again feature the National Advanced Horse Trials Championship in which this country’s best eventers vie for the prestigious Jack Le Goff Trophy, as well as a United States Eventing Association (USEA) Gold Cup Series event and seven other Advanced, Preliminary and Young Rider divisions.

Spectators are invited to enjoy a day of fun while experiencing 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. Over The Walls Horse Trials demonstrates firsthand why more and more spectators are showing up each year to experience the excitement of one of the nation’s fastest growing equestrian sports.

In addition to witnessing world-class horses and riders galloping over green fields overlooking the beautiful Town of Hardwick, spectators at the 2004 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 only $5.00 per car that benefits Windrush Farm Therapeutic Riding, Inc.

Further information on the Over The Walls Horse Trials is available by visiting the official website at www.overthewalls.com or by calling Erik Fleming or Torrance Watkins at 413-477-0040.

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