Experience the Equestrian Side of Florida?s Capital City During the Red Hills International Horse Trials
Wednesday, January 18 at 05:05 PM
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Jan. 11, 2012 - Visit Tallahassee invites visitors to experience the world renowned Red Hills International Horse Trials, running March 9-11, 2012. Held annually on the beautiful grounds of Tallahassee’s Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, the Red Hills International Horse Trials features some of the world’s greatest riders and horses, including Olympic athletes from 10 countries and 28 states. The three-day competition challenges contestants on the grace of dressage, rigors of cross-country jumping and pageantry of stadium jumping.
Red Hills has become a premier event in Tallahassee with more than 24,000 spectators last year alone. The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), which governs the sport, states that the object of the competition is to “show the rider’s spirit, boldness, and perfect knowledge of his horse’s paces and their use across country, and to show the condition, handiness, courage, jumping ability, stamina and speed of the well-trained horse.”
Named for the sloping terrain and rich red earth known as the “red hills” of North Florida and South Georgia, the Red Hills International Horse Trials features a challenging cross-country course newly updated and designed by Hugh Lochore of Scotland. Lochore has designed courses extensively throughout the U.K. and abroad, including the pony European Championships at Necarne Castle, Ireland, the World Cup qualifiers at Burnham Market and at Ireland’s newest International event, Tattersalls. As the red hills terrain is similar to that of London’s Greenwich Park, the site of the 2012 Olympic Equestrian Sports, visitors can observe all the potential equestrian Olympians for the 2012 teams right here in Tallahassee.
In addition to experiencing the athleticism and beauty of the various events, attendees can also browse the Avenue of Shops with vendors from around the country, exhibits and tours. Red Hills also plans conservation activities for the 2012 event. Staying true to its mission to “promote the concepts of resource protection, green space preservation and land management,” Red Hills has provided more than $325,000 to Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy and Klapp-Phipps Park since its inception in 1998.
Tallahassee is a slice of Florida that is rarely expected where visitors can observe future Olympians at the Red Hills International Horse Trials every March. A fusion of cosmopolitan flair and charming personality defines the spirit of Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City - where it all comes together for visitors. Situated just off Florida’s northern I-10 corridor, stretching along the state’s Panhandle, Tallahassee is a place where college town meets cultural center, politics meets performing arts and history meets nature - a place where the vibrancy of what to do is matched only by the city’s inviting hospitality.
For more information, visit www.VisitTallahassee.com or call Visit Tallahassee toll free at (800) 628-2866.
