'A strong run': Red Hills Horse Trials ends after 25 years

Tallahassee's premier equestrian event has come to a close.

In a Facebook post Wednesday morning, the board of the Red Hills International Horse Trials said they will no longer host the event because of escalating costs, new requirements and losing a spot on the competition's division calendar.

"The USEF has scheduled the first Four Star of the season on top of Red Hills' date, severely threatening Red Hills' anticipated number of entries," the post stated.

Red Hills' attorneys filed motions against the United States Equestrian Federation but they were dismissed, the post stated.

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"The Federation also denied Red Hills the opportunity not to run in 2023, yet remain on the calendar for 2024-2027, in order to restructure an event with a different focus," the post stated.

Because the calendar is set for the next five years, "that’s pretty much a firmly shut door," said Jane Barron, a co-organizer for the event.

"It has been an absolutely fantastic run for Red Hills," Barron continued. "The support from the surrounding area and the community has been phenomenal, and we’re really going to miss it."

The equestrian event was founded 25 years ago and attracted as many as 20,000 visitors a year. The out-of-county visitors — riders, riders' entourages, spectators, officials, sponsors, vendors and exhibitors — just for the trials weekend helped fuel an economic impact of about $5 million. People traveling to Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park for the event spend about 6,450 nights in total at local hotels.

"We are going to miss it," said Mary Phipps of the Phipps family who was involved in the creation of the event. The trials are held on former Phipps' land, which is now a pubic greenspace. "I take my kids every year and we love watching it."

Linda Kleindienst Bruns, who runs Triple R Horse Rescue, said the federation does itself a disservice by skipping Red Hills on its schedule.

"I volunteered at this event for many years, and my daughter rode in it her senior year in high school," said Kleindienst Bruns. "We have wonderful memories that I’m sorry other budding equestrians or Olympians won’t have. We may be smaller but we have a darn big heart for this event."

Riding in the Red Hills trials was a goal of Lillian VanWinkle since she was 6 years old. Twenty years later, VanWinkle got her chance this past March.

"It was one of the best experiences of my life," she said. "This show is so special because it's in your hometown."

The March calendar date was crucial for attendance because it was one of the first stops after the winter season for horse owners on their way back up north from Ocala.

"It's really going to throw a wrench in the development of their horses," she said. "Without it, you get less places where you can expose your horse to crowds. There are horses that can perform great in a closed environment, but as soon as you put them in an arena in a cross country course lined with people, it changes everything."

Red Hills partnered with the City of Tallahassee to host the trials at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park. Both Visit Tallahassee and the Leon County Tourist Development helped fund the event.

The City of Tallahassee released a statement Wednesday afternoon.

"Many thanks to the board and dedicated volunteers for their tireless efforts, and to our parks and recreation staff who stepped up each year and dedicated thousands of hours to help grow a local event into a premier, international equestrian competition," the statement read.

Red Hills was founded by Sallie Ausley, mother of Sen. Loranne Ausley, D-Tallahassee, and Sylvia Ochs. Ochs died in 2021.

Economic impact: Why does Red Hills Horse Trials matter to non-riders?

Red Hills served as a qualifying competition for riders seeking berths on their respective countries’ Olympic and World Equestrian Games teams.

Over a weekend in spring, each horse and rider has to complete three tests during the weekend: dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

"We have much to be proud of as we say our goodbye," the post stated.

Contact Ana Goñi-Lessan at AGoniLessan@tallahassee.com and follow her on Twitter @goni_lessan.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee's Red Hills Horse Trials announces end of event after 25 years