Competition Set to Begin at 2003 Over the Walls Horse
Trials
Hardwick,
MA—July 31, 2003— Action-packed equestrian competition
at the 2003 Over the Walls Horse Trials begins Friday, August 1,
at picturesque Great Meadowbrook Farm in Hardwick, MA. Competition
continues through Sunday, August 3.
The
stage is set for three days of exciting equestrian action at one
of America’s premier Horse Trials, with more than 200 horses
and riders from the U.S. and other countries. Over the Walls will
showcase the nation’s most accomplished eventers as they vie
for the Jack Le Goff Trophy in the event’s featured competition
– the National Advanced Horse Trials Championship. The trophy
is awarded to the top U.S. horse and rider combination.
Heading
the list of entries is the 2002 Advanced Division 1 and Jack Le
Goff Trophy winner, David O’Connor, the 2000 Sydney Olympic
individual Gold Medalist and team Gold Medalist at the 2002 World
Equestrian Games in Spain. Last year’s Advanced Division 2
winner, Australian Phillip Dutton, a two-time Olympic team Gold
Medalist, is also entered as is five-time U.S. Olympian Bruce Davidson,
three-time U.S. Olympian Karen Lende O’Connor, 2000 Sydney
Olympians Bobby Costello, Nina Fout, and Linden Weisman, and 1996
Olympian Mara Depuy.
Dressage
competition, the opening phase, begins on Friday at 7:30 a.m. and
continues throughout the day. Saturday will mark the challenging
cross-country phase and Sunday’s show jumping will comprise
the competition’s third and final phase.
Besides
the National Advanced Horse Trials Championship, this year’s
Over the Walls Horse Trials also hosts seven other Advanced, Preliminary,
and Young Rider division classes 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 North American Young Riders’ Championships, August
20-24.
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 benefits Windrush
Farm Therapeutic Riding, Inc. and includes a horse show program.
For
more information, please visit the Over the Walls website at www.overthewalls.com.
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