Tag Archives: Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event

Competitions, Eventing/H.T.

Watch the Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event and Horse Trials LIVE This Weekend

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Alanna Regan and Rupert competing in the Training Horse Trials at Southern 8ths. Photo by Brant Gamma Photography.

Chesterfield, S.C. — The Heart of the Carolinas (HOTC) Three-Day Event and Horse Trials at Southern 8ths Farm in Chesterfield, S.C. is live streaming all three phases of the 2016 long-format competition with color commentary from clinician Sally O’Connor and announcer Charles Pinnell.

Friends and family of competitors and anyone interested in classic eventing may tune in to watch the live stream at this link or enjoy recorded video of the competition at a later time.

The Training Three-Day, Novice Three-Day and Beginner Novice Three-Day will ride dressage on Friday, May 6. The live stream will be begin at 8:40 a.m. EST with the Training Three-Day test ride. The dressage competition will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Endurance day begins with Phase A roads and tracks at 9:00 a.m. EST on Saturday, May 7. The cross country will begin shortly after and a portion of the Tremaine Cooper designed course will be shown on the live stream.

The finale takes place on a grass show jumping arena on Sunday, May 8. At 10:00 a.m., the Preliminary Combined Test (CT) will be the first division to jump a course designed by Marc Donovan. As part of the inaugural Carolina Eventing Challenge, the Preliminary-CT will jump a derby style course with both cross country and show jumping fences. The three-day and horse trials divisions will follow; all divisions plus awards will be included in the live stream.

Southern 8ths Farm is the only venue in the country that offers USEA-recognized traditional long-format three-day events at the Beginner Novice, Novice and Training levels. The goal of the competition is to provide an unparalleled educational opportunity for riders and to support the continuation of the classic long format.

This year, Heart of the Carolinas added a Preliminary-CT and Coaching Allowed Test to the schedule and partnered with the Carolina Horse Park to offer the Carolina Eventing Challenge for all three-day divisions and the Preliminary-CT. USEA President-elect Carol Kozlowski and Sally O’Connor, a renowned FEI eventing and dressage judge, are the 2016 clinicians.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, HOTC is offering a wealth of prizes for first through eighth place in all three long-format divisions. Special awards include Best Conditioned Horse, Best Turned Out, and Lowest Scoring Adult Amateur. Winners at each level of the Carolina Eventing Challenge will receive a grand prize. Thoroughbred Incentive Program awards will be given in all horse trials and three-day divisions, including the Preliminary-CT.

Media Contact:
Leslie Threlkeld
lesliet@hotc3dayevent.com
678-378-0244

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T.

Heart of the Carolinas Celebrates Amateur Riders and the Classic Eventing Format

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Kaitlynn Ferrell and Beyond the Limits competing in the Novice Three-Day at Southern 8ths. Photos by Brant Gamma Photography.

Chesterfield, S.C. — The sixth annual Heart of the Carolinas (HOTC) Three-Day Event and Horse Trials is coming to Southern 8ths Farm in Chesterfield, S.C. May 4-6, 2016. With the goal of providing an unparalleled educational opportunity for riders and carrying the classic long-format forward, Southern 8ths is unveiling new divisions and a new eventing series challenge for 2016.

Southern 8ths Farm is the only venue in the country that offers USEA-recognized traditional long-format three-day events at the Beginner Novice, Novice and Training levels. Three-day competitors are given the best chance of success as qualified clinicians coach them through each section of the event. We are thrilled to announce that our 2016 clinicians are USEA President-elect Carol Kozlowski along with Sally O’Connor, a renowned FEI eventing and dressage judge and accomplished author.

“The HOTC team is proud and honored to provide a competition where riders and their equine partners can learn and compete together,” said HOTC co-organizer Leslie Threlkeld. “To have Carol and Sally join us as clinicians this year is very special and a testament to the longstanding support for the classic format. We also have the professional veterinary assistance of Dr. Debbie Williams to help prepare riders for horse inspections and the 10-minute box, as well as an experienced ground jury that is dedicated to bolstering a positive experience for competitors.”

For the 2016 event, a Preliminary Combined Test division and the newly developed Assistance Allowed Test has been added to the schedule. Alongside the long-format divisions, HOTC also welcomes competitors in a Beginner Novice through Training level horse trials. The team looks forward to adding the 3’5” Modified division in 2017.

HOTC worked together with the Carolina Horse Park to develop a new eventing series for Preliminary and below called the Carolina Eventing Challenge. The Southern Pines Horse Trials (March 13-14) and Longleaf Pine Horse Trials (April 23-24) serve as qualifying competitions, and the final will take place at HOTC. Beginner Novice, Novice and Training riders must compete in a long-format division to be eligible for the series grand prize. Preliminary level competitors will ride in a derby-style final, with both stadium and cross country fences appearing on the jumping course.

Alanna Regan and Rupert competing in the Training Horse Trials at Southern 8ths
Alanna Regan and Rupert competing in the Training Horse Trials at Southern 8ths

“Our goal with HOTC is to provide an educational competition that is geared to the adult amateur rider,” said HOTC co-organizer Cindy Deporter. “We consider ourselves a ‘destination event’ for the adult amateur and we continue to support them through this competition, both with the three-day offerings and now the Assistance-Allowed Division. We appreciate Brad Turley’s generosity in financially helping to make this competition the best of its nature in the United States!”

Brad Turley is the owner of Southern 8ths Farm, founder of the Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event and a passionate advocate of the traditional eventing format.

“The bond that a rider has with his or her horse is unique, especially in today’s world of instant gratification. The long-format magnifies that bond through the hours of training and conditioning required to complete the three-day,” Brad said. “Our team understands that bond and has taken the reins to ensure that amateur riders continue to have the opportunity to fully appreciate how special their mounts are by completing the ultimate equestrian test. We are proudly looking forward to another year presenting the amateur rider’s Rolex.”

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, HOTC is offering a wealth of prizes for first through eighth place in all three long-format divisions. Special awards include Best Conditioned Horse, Best Turned Out, and Lowest Scoring Adult Amateur. A grand prize will be given to the winners at each level of the Carolina Eventing Challenge. Thoroughbred Incentive Program awards will be given in all horse trials and three-day divisions, including the Preliminary Combined Test.

A complete list of sponsors and information about sponsorship opportunities is available at http://www.so8ths.com/sponsor.

Learn more about the Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event at http://www.so8ths.com.

Media Contact:
Leslie Threlkeld
lesliet@hotc3dayevent.com
678-378-0244

Competitions, Diana de Rosa, Eventing/H.T., Events

Southern Eighths Welcomes Back Nikon as a Major Sponsor

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Together Southern Eighths and Nikon Support the Unsung Heroes of Eventing

Southern Eighths Farm in Chesterfield, South Carolina and Nikon are working together to support Eventing’s amateur riders. “We approached Nikon about becoming a sponsor of our Southern Eighth/Nikon Three-Day Event scheduled to take place on May 3-6, 2012 because we felt it was a good fit and they agreed,” commented owner Brad Turley. “Together our goal is to focus on the amateur riders, the unsung heroes of the Eventing world. Best of all, these amateur riders have a chance to compete at a facility that is good enough to host the high profile Eventers but this place is for the rest of us. This is a place where the amateur riders can feel like the pros.”

“We here at Nikon are proud to be involved with Southern Eighths Farm’s recognized three-day event and support all the Amateur riders and their passion for Eventing. It is this same passion that drives Nikon each day. We look forward to a long relationship and wish all the competitors Good Luck!” remarked Bill Pekala, General Manager, Nikon Pro Services.

The recent Heart of the Carolinas recognized event April 28 – May 1 sponsored by Nikon was an indication of just how good this facility is and it is the riders who say it best. They love the facility, the organization, the footing, the courses, the jumps – just everything.

Becky Brown and EZ dominated the Training level (32.90) and Annie Lane Maunder and Penny Lane (37.30) were the winners in the Novice division.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping

Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event Finishes to Rave Reviews

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Low Score Winner Becky Brown and EZ Win Nikon Camera

Jim Baker and Wings. All photos by Diana De Rosa

The riders couldn’t say enough nice things about Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event in Chesterfield, SC at Southern Eighths Farm.  They loved the facility, the organization, the footing, the courses, the jumps – just everything.

When it was all over Jim Baker and Wings claimed the victory in the Beginner-Novice division (58.30).  “The format and the organization were topnotch.  I can’t say enough about it,” he readily commented.

Becky Brown and EZ dominated the Training level (32.90) and Anne Lane Maunder and Penny Lane (37.30) were the winners in the Novice division.  As the Low Score rider of the event, Brown was in awe when she was presented with a Nikon D3100 Camera Kit.  “I’m floored,” she commented.  “I can’t believe I won this camera.  We’ve all had our eye on it all weekend.”

Continue reading Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event Finishes to Rave Reviews →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping

Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event – Results after Cross Country

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Anne Lane Maunder and Penny Lane. Photos by Diana De Rosa

On April 30th the key day of the Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event took place with great results.  Mother Nature was kind bringing beautiful weather for the Beginner-Novice, Novice and Training level divisions.  When the day was over, Becky Brown rode EZ to the top place with a score of 32.90 in Training.  Anne Lane-Maunder continued her lead on Penny Lane in the Novice division (29.30).  Beginner-Novice rider Jim Baker with Wings completed the Cross Country to maintain his lead (54.30).

Debbie Williamson, Ball Ground, GA, Chief Veterinarian, was pleased with how everything went.  “The day went really well.  The horses were in good condition.  Everyone got to go and the horses finished the Cross Country course with no accidents and finished well in the 10 minute box.”

Debbie is no newcomer to Three-Day Eventing and put the same care into this event that she does for the higher level events she does.  “I set this vet box the same way I would at any FEI event and it went like clockwork thanks to an excellent group of volunteer help,” she added.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Show Jumping

Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event – Results after Dressage

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Sarah Morton and Conference Call. Photos by Diana De Rosa

For the first of three days for the Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event, taking place at Southern Eights Farm in Chesterfield, SC, April 29 – May 1, three divisions were featured: Beginner-Novice, Novice, and Training.  In the Dressage, Jim Baker and Wings are leading the way in Beginner-Novice with a score of 42.3.  Anne Lane Maunder and Penny Lane are leading in Novice on a score of 29.3 and Sarah Morton and Conference Call head up the Training level riders with a score of 29.6.

Sarah Morton and Conference Call
“I felt like I had a really good test,” commented Sarah after her ride.  “I was a little mad with myself because I forgot a halt but even with the atmosphere out there he put his head down and went to work and stayed right there.”

Conference Call, an 8-year-old American Thoroughbred, is owned by Diane Lemmon, who is also his farrier.  “She bought him as a two-year-old off the track,” explained Sarah.  “I got the opportunity to break him.  She and I have both competed with him and I was lucky to get him this weekend.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping

Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event Is All about Amateur Riders

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Photos taken at Southern Eighths farm. © Diana De Rosa Photos

April 28 – May 1, 2011

If ever there was a place that shouts “Long Live the Long Format,” Southern Eighths is that place and on  April 28 – May 1 Classic Eventing will host its inaugural Heart of the Carolinas (HOTC) Three-Day Event on this 300-acre facility.  This Long Format Three-Day Event is the amateur rider’s “Rolex.”  It’s the event where Beginner Novice, Novice and Training level riders can negotiate their ultimate Long Format test in a USEA recognized T3D, N3D and BN3D event.  And what makes this event even more unique is that it is the only Three-Day Event that offers a Beginner-Novice division.

Southern Eighths is located in the middle of USEA Areas II and III on the North and South Carolina border.  The Farm is specially designed to accommodate and maximize the Long Format experience, from its centrally located “holds” and “starts,” two steeplechase tracks and groomed “roads and tracks” to the special derby course used for show jumping.  The site also includes a cross-country course that was created by well-known course designer Tremaine Cooper.

Southern Eighths also has a recently added 38-stall guest barn with RV hookups and has made special arrangements with the local community for those needing accommodations and other necessities.

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