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Red Hills Horse Trials
Tallahassee, Florida
INTRODUCTION Tallahassee--Florida's
capital city--is the site of the Red Hills Horse Trials, an
annual United States Eventing Association Area III event.
Named for the sloping terrain and rich red earth known as
the "red hills" of north Florida and South Georgia,
the Horse Trials 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.
The cross country course was initially built by Scotland's
Hugh Lochore, and is set in the central area of a 120-acre
indigenous plant/horticultural park owned by Tallahassee ecologist
and horse enthusiast Colin Phipps. It features a variety of
formidable obstacles, including water, banks and ditches,
which wind through Phipps' arboretum. This year we welcome
a new course designer, Eric Bull from Scottsville, VA.
Four dressage rings, the stadium course, stabling, the "Red
Hills Avenue of Shops", "Saddlers' Row", "Red
Hills Food Court", and a variety of exhibits, educational
demonstrations and Park and Botanical Tours are staged on
adjoining Northwest Florida Water Management District land
known as the Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park.
About the name "Red Hills" Defined for its
sloping terrain and rich red earth, once described as the
"strongest and most fertile soils in this part of the
country," the Red Hills of north Florida and south Georgia
is a geographic region extending from Thomasville, Georgia
to Tallahassee, Florida and 150 miles east and west to the
Alabama and Georgia borders.
Long before the first white settlers arrived to earn their
livelihood from the fertile soils of this region, native Americans
realized the benefits of the Red Hills. The favorable weather
and fertile land enticed planters away from the exhausted
soils of north Georgia, Virginia,
Maryland and the Carolinas soon out produced neighboring regions
with lighter soils. The long summers, mild winter, and plentiful
water provided an ideal climate for corn and cotton. Farmers
settled this area in the 1830's. Within 20 years, Leon County
ranked as the highest cotton producer in Florida. Only three
Georgia counties produced more. In the late 19th century,
travelers began visiting this area. Grand hotels soon lined
the streets, and as guests realized the hunting potential
of the surrounding woods, many Northern visitors set up residences.
Hunting plantations replaced farmland.
The Federation Equestrian Internationale sponsors
an Eventing World Cup. The inaugural World Cup was held in
Pau, France in the fall of 2004. Red Hills hosted an US East
Coast Qualifier in March, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 and will
again host the CIC-W*** (World Cup Qualifier) at the 2008
Horse Trials.
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OVERVIEW OF LAST YEAR'S EVENT (2007)
The 2007 Red Hills Horse Trials was an overwhelming success,
welcoming more spectators than ever before and 220 national
and international competitors. Media exposure valued at $350,000
was solicited both locally and statewide, and cash and in-kind
contributions totaling $600,000 were generated for the Event!
"The enthusiasm for the Red Hills Horse Trails has been
phenomenal. With incredible support from over 400+ volunteers,
our generous sponsors, and widespread participation from the
community, we are proud to have contributed to date a total
of $325,000 to our charities: Tall Timbers Foundation, Inc.,
and Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park. We feel that Red Hills is good
for our community, good for Eventing, and good for Florida
View photos of the event.
For more information, contact us.
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RED HILLS HORSE TRIALS MISSION
Conduct a nationally recognized Combined Training Event to:
- Increase awareness and educate the public to Eventing.
- Promote cooperation among horse enthusiasts.
- Educate the public and to promote the concept of resource
protection, land and greenspace preservation, and land management.
- Raise funds to benefit non profit organizations with compatible
educational and environmental purposes.
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