The Colorado Horse Park to Usher in New Era of Eventing at Facility in 2016

Press release CHP – The Colorado Horse Park (CHP), which is set to host the first event of the season this week, welcoming the FEI CCI 2*/ 1* presented by Adequan®, FEI CIC 2* and Horse Trials starting today, Friday, June 3, and continuing through Sunday, June 5, will begin a new era of eventing at the venue. The first annual Cross Country Family Festival at the facility will begin on Saturday, June 4, and is open and free to the general public, running from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., offering family entertainment and activities throughout the day.

In an effort to expand the sport of eventing and offer increased opportunities for competitors, CHP has announced a High Point Series for riders competing at the venue during the season, which will span through the remaining events this year including The Colorado Horse Park Horse Trials (August 12 – 14) and The Colorado Horse Park Three Day Event and Horse Trials (September 15 – September 18).

The High Point Series will offer special prizes and cash awards for the horse and rider combinations who accumulate the most points in their respective divisions over the course of the three horse trials to be hosted at CHP this season. The divisions offering a High Point Award will be Preliminary, Training, Novice and Beginner Novice.The Colorado Horse

Park Three Day Event and Horse Trials (September 15 – 18) has increased prize money and will now offer a $10,000 purse in the Advanced division. The high scoring and qualifying horse and rider combination in the division will also earn an invitation to compete at the 2017 Wellington Eventing Showcase at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in late January.

A major initiative to update and revamp the cross country course during the off-season was spurred by James Atkinson, an Advanced level eventer and renowned course designer. With a focus on improving safety and enhancing horse and rider education, Atkinson is excited to unveil the new course this weekend.

„I gradually inherited this course from David O’Connor and it’s been a very exciting project. I wanted to get the Colorado feel back into the course and we’ve developed and improved the footing in those specific areas to ensure that happened,“ said Atkinson. „This course is incredibly unique to this facility and as a course designer I tried to make some of it my own, with a vision for what I’d like it look like in the future.“

Atkinson has designed cross country tracks at many major eventing venues in the United States including the FEI courses at Copper Meadows and Twin Rivers Ranch, solidifying his reputation as a prominent and skilled course designer. Atkinson discussed the additions and improvements made to the CHP course this year and is pleased with the finished product that will be unveiled this Saturday, June 4.

„On this course I wanted to make sure that you’re not locked into a single track. As a designer, you want to allow for changes, reroutes, and creativity,“ he commented. „We’ve built some very cool fences that are going to be somewhat decorative, but really represent the history and feel of this community.“

The course is positioned in an open area of the venue, showcasing the classic Colorado prairie terrain, which Atkinson used to his advantage throughout the redesign process, noting, „There’s a unique perspective that comes from course design and I’ve become really involved with that as a rider and trainer too. The feel of Colorado is definitely in this course and while it does span quite a bit of acreage, I also tried to analyze it from a safety prospective so that if we do encounter any emergencies on course each fence and area on course is easily accessible.“

In conjunction with increased competition opportunities for competitors and exhibitors, CHP is also eager to welcome the local community to the facility and experience the sport of eventing from the course during the Cross Country Family Festival. The event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and offer an array of family activities and entertainment such as arts and crafts, face painting, a bounce house, petting zoo and much more! Parking and admission to the event are free to the public!

The Cross Country Family Festival will be held simultaneously with the cross country phase of FEI CCI 2*/1* presented by Adequan® and FEI CIC 2* events. A wide array of food trucks will feature Italian ice, gelato, Columbian food, West African food, kabobs, as well as hot dogs and brats available for purchase. On-site shopping and vendor outlets will also be open throughout the day.

Attendees 21 and older are invited to enjoy a Beer and Brats garden provided by Elk Mountain Brewing Company that will overlook the cross country course. The beer garden will feature five types of craft beer: Wild Wapiti Wheat, Ute Bill Pale Ale, Puma IPA, Rock Slide Amber, and Ghost Town Brown.

For more information please visit www.coloradohorsepark.com.

Source: Press release CHP