Victories big and small at horse trials

MILLBROOK — Hundreds of competitors and spectators flocked to Millbrook last weekend, Aug. 4 through 7, for the Millbrook Horse Trials (MHT). The competition, which benefits the Dutchess Land Conservancy, is particularly popular because it offers all six levels of eventing, from beginner novice through advanced.

This year’s trials saw the greatest number of competitiors in its 11-year history, with more than 500 horse-and-rider teams entered and more than 460 going into the competition.

In addition, 383 horses were stabled on the grounds, almost 100 more than last year.

Another notable increase was the number of advanced riders competing this year. With 53 horse-and-rider teams entered, it was easily the largest high-level field MHT has run.

Many of the professionals rode multiple horses; Buck Davidson rode four horses in the two advanced divisions and another four in other divisions.

Though it was the year of “biggest,” sometimes it is the small successes that are the most rewarding.

Seventeen-year-old Hope Nicyper-Meryman, daughter of organizers Louise Meryman and Dean Nicyper and a Pine Plains resident, is a seasoned eventer, but this was her first intermediate-level competition.

Intermediate is the second most difficult, with the advanced being the most challenging.

Hope’s mount was an eight-year-old thoroughbred given to her mother for $1, because, as Meryman described him, he was a “dumper.” After a few years of retraining and a happier life living outdoors, Optical Illusion and Hope have become successful partners. They were placed first after dressage and finished with a respectable sixth-place ribbon.

Preliminary rider Kami Wolk had a bit of difficulty at the water jump during her cross-country run. Her mother told a spectator that the horse, which made a heroic effort, was a former carriage horse from New Orleans that had been rescued during Hurricane Katrina.

Carl Bouckaert from Dalton, Ga., had the crowd gasping as he was unseated over a stadium jump on the intermediate course. But he made a spectacular save and stayed on his horse to finish the course. Bouckaert left the ring with the crowd wildly cheering and his fellow competitors gathering around to congratulate him.

The horse trials ended on Sunday, Aug. 7, with the upper levels competing in the stadium phase during the patrons lunch to benefit the Dutchess Land Conservancy.

Kerry Milliken, a Pine Plains resident and event rider, conducted a course walk for patrons. Usually a big crowd pleaser, only a few patrons took advantage this year as the drenching rain of the night before left the ground a soupy mess.

There also was a bit of fun and games as advanced level riders paired with junior riders to compete in a sack relay race to benefit the USEA Young Riders program.

Click here for another Millbrook Horse Trial photo.