The Millbrook Horse Trials Return

 By Tara Kelly

Mark your calendars. A four-day weekend of incredible competition, great spectacle, and lots of fun, the Millbrook Horse Trials (MHT), for many, the highlight of the summer season, returns July 27 through July 30 on Bangall-Amenia Road in Millbrook. 

For readers unfamiliar with the sport of eventing, the horse trials are a multi-discipline competition unfolding over multiple days. As many as 400 horse and rider teams will compete in dressage, cross-country, and showjumping in one of six levels, from beginner novice through advanced. But the horse trials are more than a sport competition, it is also a community event—kind of like a country fair. 

Organizer Louise Meryman says, “The trials have always straddled contributions to the sport of eventing and community involvement. It’s a fixture on the event calendar, and a fixture on the social calendar.”

That means fun for everyone, either as a spectator or competitor, even for those people who think that sitting on top of a 1200-pound animal with a mind of its own is sheer lunacy. In addition to watching the competitions there will be a petting zoo, pop-up shops, plus food trucks and vendors. (Be sure to check out the Fizzy Filly.)

Meryman, one of the founders of the MHT, which dates back to 1985, says, “The eventing community and the local community have really come together and stepped up to show their support.” Riga Meadow at Coole Park, across the road, will make its dressage and stadium rings available, as well as some of its paddocks. Linda Bushnell, a co-owner of Riga Meadow says, “The MHT is the only advanced level horse trials in Area I [the Northeast region] and it’s important to keep it going.” As home to the Lakeville Pony Club, she says, “We are geared to the lower levels, so it’s great for the kids to see the sport in action.” Duhallow, an adjacent landowner, has offered up some of its land for the cross-country course.

Cross-country is one of the most appealing elements of the MHT. Competitors at every level gallop, on average, two miles over wide-open rolling terrain. At the advanced level they pilot their horses over huge tables, down steep drops, through water, and over narrow openings. Booli Selmayr, a five-star rider, who owns Fox Valley Sport Horses, in Amenia, says, “The Millbrook Horse Trials cross-country course is nearly international quality.” Caroline Merison, a longtime eventer, and MHT organizer says, “Our cross-country course is typically very challenging [for all the levels] and is certainly the largest horse trials in Area I.” 

Horse trials are unusual in that novice riders can be competing in the same group as an elite professional depending on the horse. So, Selmayr, and other five-star riders may be competing at one of the lower-levels because they’re training their young horses. Many professionals ride multiple horses over the course of the event. 

All of this activity adds up to a thrilling four days. In addition to Selmayr, keep an eye out for Darrah Alexander, and Emma Lomangino, both elite riders who will be riding in multiple divisions. All three women live and train in the Millbrook area making them the home team to root for. Also worth noting, admission is free and volunteers to help at the event are always welcome. —millbrookhorsetrials.com