Featured Article (June 2001)

Dreams, Dollars and Devotees Make Virginia Tops for Eventing

Major General Jonathan R. Burton of Fort Belvoir not only witnessed the development of combined training, he has been and continues to be an integral part of making the sport what it is today. His long list of accomplishments includes riding on the U.S. Army Three-Day Team in 1947 and 1948, representing the U.S. at the 1956 Olympic Games in Stockholm and serving as USCTA President from 1985-1987. Modern horse trials date back to the early 1950s where at the first competition held in Nashville, Tennessee, he helped design the course, rode it and won.

"Since the spread of horse trials throughout the country and the advent of more one and two-star FEI three-day events, riders now have a greater chance to progress," said General Burton. With regard to the three-day events at the Virginia Horse Center, Great Meadow and Morven Park he added, "The fact that we have these three events in Virginia just increases the opportunity for riders to get experience and advance in international competition."

Optimistic about the future, General Burton stated, "Spectator interest is growing too, so we're in a very favorable environment. Here in Virginia we have the ideal climate, turf, footing and scenic courses with trees and rolling hills. We have the perfect terrain for these 3-day events whereas other parts of the country are not so blessed." A key component is the quality of riders and he confided, "Look who we've got here, there is no higher density of talent anywhere else in the country."

As Olympians and Virginians, Karen and David O'Connor are quick to express sincere and heartfelt praise for these events and venues close to home. Contacted between competitions, they said, "We are so fortunate as riders from Virginia to have at our fingertips, three of the premier equestrian facilities in the United States. It undoubtedly has contributed enormously to the many successes of the O'Connor Event Team."

Virginia Horse Center - Lexington

The Virginia Horse Center hosted the Virginia Cross Country International CCI* Three-Day Event & Virginia Horse Trials May 17-20, 2001. Virginia Horse Center Executive Director Bob Reel stated, "We've had several large Horse Trials but this was our first One-Star. The CCI was a major accomplishment for the Center. The Center was created by the state legislature in 1984 for the purpose of preserving the heritage of horses and horsemanship and to foster growth of the equine industry in Virginia."

The Center was established not as a state agency, but as a nonprofit organization with operating expenses paid with gifts from the private sector. Operational since 1987, the Board of Directors later approved an enterprising long-term plan outlining a $10 million expansion. The approved budget included the purchase of the neighboring 196-acre Oak Hill Farm property and the construction of several courses including one for the CCI cross-country. In 1998, Middleburg-based trainer Doug Fout and Olympic Medal winner, USET chef d'equipe and international course designer Captain Mark Phillips worked with the Center to make sure all the pieces of the ambitious plan fit. Of the total goal, $2.6 million has been raised or pledged over the next three years. To date, the two largest contributions were given anonymously by individual donors.

Organizers Penny and Brian Ross are the driving force behind the development of the Center's three-day eventing and horse trials. The couple has 20 years of experience organizing competitions. Having given up riding for organizing, Penny is a former eventer. An Olympic three-day judge at Sydney and FEI official, husband Brian holds licenses in dressage, eventing, technical delegate and course design. They now call Lexington home after moving up from Southern Pines a decade ago.

According to Penny, "This piece of property is absolutely fabulous. Dreams can come true here, that's for sure. We are very pleased with the course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist David O'Connor. The natural course fits in incredibility well with our surroundings and uses the best of the terrain." Over 30 jumping efforts are strategically located on the three-mile course of rolling turf surrounding a historic 19th-century farmhouse. The three main viewing areas offer a variety of broad spectator vantage points.

"Our volunteers are very close and become part of the family. They return year after year and know their jobs. It's fun to have people be part of it and everyone has a good time. We always welcome new volunteers because you can never have too many," said Penny. Not only are new volunteers welcome, so are sponsors. She added, "The more sponsorships we get, the faster progress will occur. We want donors to be involved and feel as proud of the venue as we do."

Great Meadow - The Plains

Great Meadow in The Plains was the venue for the Commonwealth International CCI* and CCI** Three-Day event and Horse Trials, May 24-28, 2001. Historically, this event originated with horse trials held at Commonwealth Park. After ten years or so, the owner divided the land and the water jump parcel was sold. Co-Organizer Coleen Hersson said, "It became evident that we needed a new home and Great Meadow had been the venue for a three-day event for several years in the late 1980s." For a few years the event was a split venue and eventually moved completely to Great Meadow.

Starting in 1995, Olympic Gold Medalist and course designer Torrance Watkins volunteered her expertise to build the Preliminary course the first year and the Intermediate course the following. The event progressed, eventually becoming a two-day and a CCN. "This was our fifth year running a competition that incorporated all the components of a three-day event. As in previous years, we utilized trained volunteers and people who understood all the pieces of an event of this caliber and how they interrelated," stated Coleen.

The new component in 2001 was spectator-oriented. For a reasonable price the Commonwealth Club offered amenities including free admission all week, morning coffee and snacks, gourmet luncheon, afternoon dessert, complimentary program and poster, autograph session with the 2000 Olympic Team and a VIP tent providing the best view of the cross-country course.

Organizing a major competition like this is no small task. According to Coleen, "Growing up as an Army brat organizing ourselves around the world makes you learn that skill at a young age. I do this because I can and because I get such pleasure seeing the horses jump the course and jump it well. I've had horses all my life but I'm basically a hard-core spectator now." The rider in the family, husband Noel Hersson doesn't get to ride in this event because he is busy co-organizing.

Regarding the annual expansion of the event, Coleen confided, "It's an expensive competition to run. We have some great sponsors but like any major sporting event we need a big corporate presence like Coca-Cola, Lexus or AOL to tie it together." Coleen is quick to point out that she is not a fundraiser, she is an organizer. However, she has some suggestions aimed at benefiting all major Virginia three-day events across the board. Coleen supports packaging the existing three-day events in the Mid-Atlantic States together for the purpose of approaching a major corporate donor.

When asked if Virginia will someday rival major U.S. events like Rolex-Kentucky, Coleen predicted, "So much of the top-level three-day eventing is tied to money. Rolex has taken more than 20 years to build up name recognition, participation and their trade fair. Attendance in some ways is like the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase event. Spectators attend not because they are horse people, but because of the gorgeous scenery, the pleasant weather and for the fun of it. That level of success won't happen tomorrow because it takes a tremendous amount of time, money, marketing know-how and commitment."

Morven Park - Leesburg

The Morven Park International Equestrian Center is home to many events including the recent Spring CIC** & Advanced Horse Trials and the upcoming CCI* & Advanced Horse Trials scheduled for October 4-7, 2001. Combined training has a long association here, starting with the Morven Park Equestrian School founded early in the 1950s around the time the military disbanded the Calvary.

According to Organizer Margaret Good, "In 1981, a Preliminary event fielded approximately 60 horses and over the years grew into the spring CIC which ran 250 horses in the Intermediate and Advanced. In the past, daylight curtailed the number of entries for the fall event. Based on what the clock allowed, we averaged somewhere around 100 Three-Day horses and 70-80 Advanced."

"I let other people do the riding and I do the organizing. My children are responsible for getting me into this initially because of the Loudoun Pony Club. Like me, many of our volunteers are drawn in by their kids and then stay on for the camaraderie," confided Margaret. Pony club is a volunteer-driven organization, experienced at organizing rallies, which basically include the same components. Morven Park has a well-trained volunteer base but always welcomes newcomers.

The upcoming fall event will be the third Morven Park CCI*. "With a three-day, it's hard to make money and you usually go in the hole. We must find a way to make it financially practical. To do that you need to attract spectators and unfortunately a large segment of the American public is just not that educated about the sport yet. A trade fair is usually a good way to lure spectators, but vendors don't want to come unless attendance is large enough to guarantee sales. It's a vicious circle. After concentrating the first two years on learning the ropes of a three-day, we are now focusing on sponsorship, publicity, educating the public and encouraging them to become spectators," stated Margaret.

FEI course designer and accomplished Advanced-level rider Tremaine Cooper not only designs and builds the courses at Morven Park, but he rides them too. Plans under discussion for the fall CCI include looking at ways to get spectators out on the course through guided course walks geared towards the general public. "Rolex-Kentucky does this so well but they have money, years of experience and paved roads near the course. Most important is easy access to the exciting 'draw fences' like water jumps and banks," commented Margaret. Another idea under consideration is partnering with a charity organization that has a built-in base of volunteers to both assist and benefit from the trade fair.

With regard to the future of combined training in Virginia, Margaret said, "The biggest threat to eventing is the developers. We need to educate spectators, get them out to enjoy the sport and protect our open spaces. Wherever we have land, we need to protect it." The 1,200-acre Morven Park property is secure as part of the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation established by Mrs. Marguerite Inman Davis in memory of her husband, Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis.

Lisa Friel is a freelance writer and photographer based in Alexandria, Virginia.