Story and Photos
By Karen Carlson
tt6.WEBCopper Meadows hosted a spring trail trials event March 15 to 17, bringing hundreds of riders to the Ramona area.
Along with the riders, support people, family, friends, and spectators filled Copper Meadows at 633 Montecito Way with activity. Veterinarians, farriers and grooms were on hand at all times.
Motorhomes, tents, and horse trailers lined the lanes. The event brought quite a bit of business to Ramona shops and feed stores as well as providers of equine services.
tt2.WEBAs riders and horses warmed up, the riders said over and over, “Good girl” or “Good boy” to praise their horses, and each rider would call the jump they were approaching, “Oxer!” to inform other riders of their intentions. Coaches shouted instructions such as, “Sit now!” or “Turn right!” The audience stayed busy watching the busy rings full of horses leaping over the jumps.
tt3.WEBSince 2000, Copper Meadows has hosted two United States Eventing Association recognized Horse Trials per year, in June and September, and added the spring event this year.
Copper Meadows has a cross country course from Beginner Novice level through Advanced level, with two water obstacles and multiple other challenging jumps over varied terrain. The warm-up rings are large enough to accommodate many riders, and they were bustling with activity over the weekend.
tt4.WEbAccording to the Copper Meadows website, “The March date is an important marker in the Area VI calendar which was successfully filled by 3-Day Ranch for a number of years. Two weeks before Galway Downs’ spring Event and three-day, the HT now at Copper Meadows will provide a preparation for riders looking to ready themselves for FEI competition at Galway, or gain one more qualifying score as they prepare for the upcoming FEI season.“
tt1.WEBMore information is at coppermeadows.com.
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