Press Release:

The weekend of March 5 – 7, will see top Olympic-caliber equestrians from all over the country--and the world--at the 13th Red Hills International Horse Trials!

Riders from nine countries and 22 states will be competing at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park on Miller Landing Road.

More than 25,000 spectators are expected for this prestigious and eagerly-anticipated three-day event.

Back from last year’s hiatus, this year’s combined training event is key to major competitors for the World Equestrian Games which will be held in the United States for the first time next fall.

Red Hills has been selected as a qualifying competition for the World Cup Finals.

Therefore, many of the best of the best horses and riders will be in Tallahassee! In addition, Red Hills will kick off the 2010 Gold Cup series, one of eight prestigious events in that series.

Among those who will be competing in the CCI*** division are top contenders well known to eventing fans: Karen O’Connor, Phillip Dutton, Buck Davidson, Jan Byyny, Kyle Carter, Bonnie Mosser, Mara Dean, Will Coleman and Peter Atkins. And Tallahasseean Debbie Foote will compete in the CIC2* division.

Eventing is one of the fastest growing equestrian pursuits in the world. Riders of all ages and abilities can compete. Developed from cavalry competitions during the early 1900’s, it is the ultimate challenge for horse and rider.

It tests their partnership and athletic prowess over three days, in three disciplines: the grace and harmony of dressage; the rigors and thrills of cross-country jumping over natural obstacles; and the power and pageantry of show jumping.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international federation which governs the sport, has laid down exact rules that must be followed at all international events---and Red Hills is one of these. The FEI states that the object of the competition is to “show the rider’s spirit, boldness, and perfect knowledge of his horse’s paces and their use across country, and to show the condition, handiness, courage, jumping ability, stamina and speed of the well-trained horse.”

Dressage, the ballet of horseback riding, will begin the Horse Trials on Friday, March 5, followed by the exciting and rigorous cross-country phase of the competition on Saturday. The final phase features the skilled talent and beauty of show jumping over colorful obstacles in an arena. All phases test the harmony, endurance and skill of both horse and rider.

This year’s RHHT cross-country course was designed by internationally renowned Scottish designer Hugh Lochore, who now calls Tallahassee home. According to Lochore, the 2010 course is “more flowing, puts the jumps on better footing and should be more spectator-friendly.”

Red Hills has grown in prestige throughout the equestrian world since its inception in 1998. It is a very popular competition for top riders who praise the hospitality and enthusiasm they experience in Tallahassee. A mark of Red Hills’ credibility in the equestrian world is the fact that it has been chosen as the initial site to carry out two new programs designed to promote safety in the sport-- a cardio/pulmonary study of the horses and a global education program for eventing officials. A cadre of veterinarians and officials from around the country will be present to assist with these initiatives.

According to Jane Barron, co-organizer of Red Hills, “we are excited to have been asked to participate in these creative new scientific and educational programs which will make combined training even safer for all horses and competitors. And we look forward to the 2010 Horse Trials being the best yet, thanks to our many generous sponsors and more than 600 volunteers.”

The Trials will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, and last until late afternoon. In addition to watching the competition, spectators can enjoy the Red Hills Avenue of Shops, concessions, educational exhibits and special activities for children. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed at all times. The stable area is off-limits to spectators who are asked to stay within the designated viewing areas for all competitions. Shuttles will be available to transport visitors to the competition arenas each day. Donations of $15 per adult per day are suggested, or $25 for a three-day pass. Children under 12, accompanied by an adult, are admitted free.

New this year is a $45 membership in Club Red Hills which includes admission to the 2010 Horse Trials, a membership card, window decal plus a discount in the Red Hills Outfitters Store.

A non-profit organization, Red Hills Horse Trials has donated $325,000. to its charitable beneficiaries, Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park and the Tall Timbers Research Foundation, Inc.

For more information, see the website, www.rhht.org.