At Riga, good weather and a gentle start for area equestrians

SALISBURY — Riga Meadow Equestrian Center held its combined test last Saturday, May 21, at its facility in Salisbury. A combined test is often considered a warm-up for a horse trials as it has two of the three phases of competition: dressage and show-jumping. In addition to the usual numbers of local riders taking advantage of the good weather and an early start to the event season, Mikki Kuchta, a 2008 competitor at Rolex, competed Calle, a 10-year-old Hanoverian cross. Rolex Kentucky is the top-level three-day event in the U.S. Kuchta, a four-star event rider and resident of Patterson, N.Y., was at Riga with her 19-year-old daughter, Bridgette; between them they competed three horses. Kuchta said they “try and support all the local events.” Calle is being groomed for a run at Rolex in a few years. The combined test on Saturday had four divisions from beginner novice up to preliminary with more than 70 horse-and-rider teams competing. For complete show results of Saturday’s competition go to www.rigameadow.com. Riga Meadow will hold its horse trials on Sunday, July 17. It is sanctioned by the United States Eventing Association and falls within Area One. For more information about other horse trials, combined tests and schooling shows in the area go to www.area1usea.org.Also upcoming in the area, Weatogue Stables on Weatogue Road in Salisbury will hold its first schooling dressage show of the season on Sunday, June 26. For information about Weatogue Stable shows, call 860-824-7908.

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