The 2008 Adequan United States Eventing Association (USEA) Gold Cup Series kicks off this weekend and begins a seven-month stretch of exciting competitions around the country. Running from March to September, the Series includes 13 premier eventing competitions representing top-level riders and horses. On the line are prizes, money, trophies and accumulated points that will earn the leaders big year-end purses and the coveted title of Gold Cup champions.
The first event in the Series, the Red Hills Horse Trials, runs March 14-16 in Tallahassee, Fla., and is named for its sloping terrain and rich red earth known as the "red hills" of northern Florida and southern Georgia. The event features a challenging cross-country course designed by Captain Mark Phillips, Chef d'Equipe and technical advisor for the United States Equestrian Team and a former member of the Great Britain Olympic team.
Three more events are scheduled this spring: Southern Pines Horse Trials in North Carolina during mid March; Galway Downs Horse Trials in Southern California during the last weekend of March; and The Fork Horse Trials in North Carolina during the first weekend in April.
Nine more events round out the Series, from July through September. The year-end champions will receive their trophies, prizes, and prize money at the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention this December in New Orleans.
Visit www.USEventing.com to keep track of the Gold Cup standings.