Locals Find Success at the 2019 Spring Holly Hill Horse Trials
It was another gorgeous weekend at Holly Hill Equestrian Center in Benton, LA with over 200 horse and rider teams competing at their bi-annual horse trials! While I personally love the fall horse trials and all of the horses and riders that dress up, there's nothing quite like the spring event when the cross country fields are blanketed in red clover!
Riders from the United States Eventing Association's Area V (Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma) and beyond arrived Thursday, April 18, 2019 to find torrential rain causing organizers to quickly adjust ride times for the different events/phases (dressage, show jumping and cross country) to allow the cross country course ample time to dry. By the time the sun came up Friday morning, mother nature dished up breezy conditions to help dry the grounds and provide good footing for our competitors.
While I'm rooting for everyone from my announcer's booth, I can't help cheer on our local athletes. After all these are the folks I see on a regular basis and thankfully, our equestrian community is quite close and supportive here in the Ark-La-Tex.
Here's a listing of our local teams who found success!
Open Preliminary:
2. Heidi Hewlett Crowell on Zydeco Nights
3. Laura Vello on Sophia Tharseo
4. Sydney Elliot on Commando D' Osthuy
Novice Horse:
1. Julie Norman on Redemption
3. Jennifer Lewis on Eilish Spring
Open Novice:
2. Heidi Hewlett Crowell on Dark Star
3. Julie Norman on Mambo
Senior Novice Rider - A:
1. Christy Wood on Queen Valentine
Beginner Novice Horse:
1. Heidi Hewlett Crowell on Little Cat's Hat
Senior Starter:
2. Stephanie Judkins on Lexie
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to help film a speccial segment on the Holly Hill Horse Trials in conjunction with KMSS Fox 33. Hopefully, this can answer any questions you have with regard to the sport of eventing.