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Equestrian Events

June 1st, 2010 by Angie Marsh

There are local events in July and August that showcase horses — and their talented riders:

Dressage at DevonWood

July 23 – 25, 2010

Dressage at DevonWood is the Pacific Northwest’s premier equestrian competition.  Featuring riders from: Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Western Canada, the competition attracts nearly 300 horses and riders competing for qualifying scores for state, regional and national championships.

Saturday is the highlight of the competition where approximately 40 riders will compete in the musical freestyle and vie for $2,000 in cash prizes.  In musical freestyle, riders choreograph compulsory movements in a spontaneous pattern set to music that complements the horses’ every movement.

In addition to outstanding Dressage competition, Dressage at DevonWood offers excellent shopping in its Vendor Village,  with 30 merchants offering their wares, as well as  wine tasting and  gourmet food and drinks.

For a look at past Dressage at DevonWood competitions:
- Last year’s 10th Annual Dressage Event
- A video shot by Tory Kelly of Equine Video Productions featuring FEI Grand Prix Musical Freestyle (with Peggy Thomas’ Hanoverian Mare ridden by Debbie McDonald aboard Brentina from Hailey, Idaho).

Times: 8 am to 6 pm all three days; classes begin at noon
Location: DevonWood Equestrian Centre – 25033 SW Pacific Highway, Sherwood
Admission: No spectator fee; parking is $10 and includes a program

Oregon Horse Country Familiarization Tours

June 17*, July 22, and August 26

*Note: The June 17th Tour is CANCELLED due to rainy conditions.

Oregon Horse Country, a division of the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce, has been created to foster economic vitality through promotion and connections of equine businesses in Oregon’s northern Willamette Valley, centered around the Wilsonville area. Oregon Horse Country aims to “Promote the Passion” for horse owners, equine businesses, enthusiasts and all-around horse lovers.

These familiarization (FAM) site tours (now offered July 22 and August 26) are open to all; they just require registering in advance.
Past FAM  tours have visited nine horse-related facilities in the area.

OHC provides leadership and guidance for the promotion and marketing of member equestrian businesses and activities, cultivating the idea of equine-tourism.  OHC is a leading source of information and resources for anyone interested in equestrian activities, from owners of equine facilities to equine businesses and services, and for amateur to professional riders.

 

Reehers Horse Camp, L.L. Stub Stewart State Park Horse Camp

May 15 – October 31

For those looking for horse camping accommodations, Washington County offers two prime locations: Reehers Horse Camp in Timber (in the Tillamook Forest) and L.L. Stub Stewart State Park in Buxton.

Tags: DevonWood Equestrian Centre, Dressage, LL Stub Stewart State Park, Reehers Horse Camp
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Dancing with Horses

July 21st, 2009 by Julia Adam

 This past weekend, Cherie and I were lucky enough to staff a visitor information booth along with the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce at the 10th Annual Dressage at DevonWood event. For three days, riders from across the northwestern U.S. and southwestern Canada competed in dressage, which we overheard being compared to “ballet on horses.”

It’s a beautiful and very impressive thing to watch, as riders decked out in knee-high boots, jodhpurs, tailored jackets and top hats use nothing but their weight and legs to steer their well-trained mounts in a precise dance around the arena. The result is a very regal and graceful show that leaves you wishing you were the one on the horse! DevonWood Equestrian Centre  hosts a variety of events throughout the year, most of which are open to the public with no admission fee and a $5 parking fee per car. The grounds alone are worth a visit, and you’ll be awed by the immaculate stables and multiple arenas, not to mention the beautiful views and towering Douglas Firs.

   DevonWood Equestrian Centre website >

Tags: DevonWood, Dressage, Events, washington county oregon, Wilsonville
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