BRAVE HORSE SHOW PARK WRAPS SEASON AND ANNOUNCES 2018 DATES
New show grounds hosted 10 weeks of regional and national equestrian competition including two weeks of the renowned Split Rock Jumping Tour
[Johnstown OH] December 5, 2017 – Greater Columbus hosted hundreds of amateur and professional riders and their mounts during the inaugural season of the new equestrian destination, Brave Horse Show Park. Located on 75 acres in the heart of central Ohio’s horse country minutes from the I-270 outer belt, Brave Horse was meticulously planned and developed to provide a peerless show experience for riders, horses, trainers and spectators, drawing competitors from throughout Ohio and surrounding states including Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, Pennsylvania and more. In its first year of operation, Brave Horse Show Park held six weeks of its own competition, two weeks of dressage competition and two weeks of Split Rock Jumping Tour with 1,300 riders showing 960 horses in more than 7,500 classes.
Additionally, Brave Horse was the location of two weeks of internationally sanctioned competition in October produced and presented by the Split Rock Jumping Tour, an award-winning show jumping tour drawing leading amateur and professional riders to compete for $450,000 in prize money. Derek Braun, grand prix rider and Split Rock Jumping Tour founder, announced in October that the tour was awarded a 2018 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Columbus CSI3*-W Qualifier Class by the Fédération Equestre Internationale. As a result, Columbus now joins the ranks of Calgary, Washington, Toronto, Lexington and Las Vegas in hosting a World Cup Qualifier competition leading up to the 2018 World Cup Jumping Finals in Paris, France.
The #1 ranked rider in the world, Kent Farrington, competed at the Split Rock Jumping Tour at Brave Horse in October.
Photo credit: Winslow Photography
“It was an incredibly successful first year at Brave Horse,” said Michale Belisle, Operations Director of Brave Horse. “We remain focused on delivering a show experience that will not only exceed the expectations of our exhibitors but also support the aspirations of a burgeoning equestrian community in the region. The feedback from our customers has been positive but we will continue to enhance our show park and refine our operations as we prepare for an even bigger 2018 season. Moreover, we will increase our coordination with the central Ohio community to make sure that the visiting competitors take advantage of all that Columbus has to offer including attractions, restaurants, shopping and entertainment experiences.”
Brave Horse Show Series dates for 2018 are as follows:
Brave Horse I A Rated March 29 through April 1, 2018
Brave Horse II A Rated April 12 through April 15, 2018
Brave Horse III A Rated April 19 through April 22, 2018
Brave Horse IV A Rated May 24 through May 27, 2018
Brave Horse V A Rated May 31 through June 3, 2018
Brave Horse VI A Rated June 21 through June 24, 2018
Brave Horse VII A Rated July 19 through July 22, 2018
Brave Horse VIII B Rated August 23 through August 26, 2018
Brave Horse IX A Rated August 30 through September 2, 2018
Split Rock Jumping Tour dates for 2018 are as follows:
The Columbus International CSI2* -- September 26 through September 30, 2018
The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Columbus CSI3*-W -- October 3 through October 7, 2018
“Columbus is fortunate to have this exceptional new venue for elite equestrian competition,” said Linda Logan, Executive Director of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. “Not only will it support the growth of equine sports in the region, but it will also help contribute to our community’s economic vitality. We know that the average visitor spends approximately $110 per day while in Columbus and that is typically even higher for equestrians at an average of $500 per day. We also know that our visitor experience builds fans for our city. Brave Horse is a win-win for the sport and for Columbus.”
Photo credit: Winslow Photography
Photo credit: Winslow Photography
About Brave Horse
Owner Twin Stables LLC first acquired property for the new facility in 2015 with a goal of expanding high quality showing options in the Hunter Jumper disciplines in central Ohio. They convened renowned experts in equestrian facility development, including architect John Blackburn, AIA of Washington, D.C, land planner Mark Kline of MKSK in Columbus, Ohio, and Karen Leeming and Lawton Adams of Footing First, to partner in the design of this spectacular new destination for equestrian sport. Located at 1029 S. County Line Road in Johnstown, Ohio. Brave Horse features seven state-of-the-art arenas dressed with the highest quality competition footing. A Grand Prix arena, built to specifications to accommodate internationally sanctioned competitions, features a subterranean watering system and a proprietary blend of footing used by Olympic and World Cup level equestrian facilities. The facility also offers 250 permanent 12-by-12-foot horse stalls in five stable buildings with wide and well-lit aisles and natural ventilation. Other additions to the grounds include a large show office, several dedicated vendor areas for equipment, apparel and catering services, hospitality area, judge and ingate boxes, landscaping and water features, green spaces, lighting enhancements and more. For more information on Brave Horse, please visit: brave-horse.com.
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