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Horseback riding tends to have a somewhat sissified reputation—perfectly coiffed men and women in top hats and tails perched prettily on top of overpriced hayburners. That is so not the case with the Olympic sport of eventing, an equestrian triathlon that is a test of skill, strength, partnership, and just plain guts–definitely not your average horse show. These riders have grit, their horses have more heart than a Disney movie, and more than 500 of them from every corner of the country will descend on Bouckaert Farm at Chattahoochee Hills in Fairburn, September 8-11, for the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Bit of Britain, which is slated to rank as one of the biggest competition in the sport’s nearly 100-year U.S. history. Eventing has its roots in the cavalry, so we’re talking white knuckle, take-your-breath-away feats of athleticism on the part of both horses and riders, who participate in three different phases over several days. Unlike almost all other sports, men and women compete on equal terms, in the same divisions. The horse is the equalizing factor, and these horses are unlike any you will see in competition. At the top levels during the sport’s signature phase of cross-country, expect to see them leap off banks almost as high as a refrigerator, jump some fences practically as narrow as a doorway, and bound across ditches as wide as your average car. If you were to compare them to other athletes, think extreme – snow boarders or BMX riders. Think Olympic Games meets X Games. At the Nutrena AEC, top horses and riders at every level, from juniors and adult amateurs to Olympic veterans, will battle for more than $70,000 in prize money and nearly $100,000 in prizes—not to mention bragging rights, with close to a dozen past Olympic, World and Pan American medalists on hand. Bouckaert Farm, the host site, is an 8,000-acre equestrian paradise, filled with rolling pastures, lakes, and woodlands running 12 miles along the Chattahoochee River. The farm is just 15 miles west of Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport and a short drive from the convenience of South Fulton Parkway. For anyone looking to spend a “day in the country” without having to drive more than a few minutes, this is the perfect spot. In fact, this event is one of the most spectator-friendly in the nation – almost every cross-country obstacle on the several-mile course can be seen from convenient locations throughout the farm. More than 50 vendors will be on hand selling everything from fine art, jewelry, clothing and handmade goods to horse-related tack and equipment, not to mention a variety of delicious food and beverages. The event’s official automobile, Land Rover, will also have their own version of a cross-country course, where spectators can test drive Land Rover vehicles over a set of twists and turns that highlight the power and versatility of Land Rover’s fleet of SUVs. “Make no mistake,” said the farm’s owner Carl Bouckaert, “this will be a true festival of eventing and fun for the whole family!” In addition, a Patron’s Tent will give spectators the best seats in the house, and include scrumptious catered breakfast and lunch each day of the competition.” Passes can be purchased on the Chatt Hills website at www.chatthillseventing.com. General admission and parking are free. Gates will open each day at approximately 8:00 a.m. with competition ending each day around 5 p.m. The tentative schedule has dressage and cross-country taking place Thursday and Friday, September 8 and 9, cross-country both Friday and Saturday, and show jumping Saturday and Sunday. Bouckaert Farm at Chattahoochee Hills is located at 10045 Cedar Grove Road Fairburn, GA 30213. Directions and maps, as well as more information about the host site, can be found at www.chatthillseventing.com. Also, for more information about the sport of eventing, the U.S. Eventing Association, and the Nutrena USEA AEC, visit www.useventing.com. More About the Sport and the U.S. Eventing Association The U.S. has been a powerhouse in this sport since it debuted in the Olympics in 1912, and the U.S. Eventing Association has served as the national association for the sport since 1959, and currently boasts over 12,000 members. Eventing is best described as an equestrian triathlon, with three phases that test the competitors’ skills in the ring, over fences, and galloping across the countryside. Dressage, a sort of equestrian ballet, tests the horse and rider’s ability to perform a series of prescribed classical movements in an enclosed arena. During cross-country, horse and rider gallop over natural terrain, up and down hills, across ditches, and into water, leaping over a variety of other imposing obstacles along the way. In the show jumping phase, competitors make their way over a course of colorfully painted fences in an enclosed arena, making every attempt to leave all the fence rails up when they cross the finish line. Members of the Media For media credentials, please go to the AEC page at www.useventing.com and download the appropriate form.

Contact: Amy J. Daum (703) 431-4809; ajd307@msn.com

Thank you to Sarah and Adam McCarty (McCarty Farms) for sending in this great pic from the Indiana State Fair!

Land’O Lakes Purina Feed Retail Solutions in Denver!

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SUNCOAST is a proud sponsor of the USEA American Eventing Championships, September 8-11, 2011 at Chattahoochee Hills

http://www.chatthillseventing.com/

Thank you to Adam McCarty, of McCarty Farms for the Great Pic!

Agri-Tex / SUNCOAST is looking forward to attending the 83rd Annual Texas FFA Convention in Lubbock TX, July 11-15, 2011! See you There!

www.texasffa.org

The Next Event Competition: May 20-22, 2011 Chattahoochee Hills invites you to attend their next scheduled competition of eventing May 20 – 22. Dressage will take place Friday and Saturday from 8:30 am ’til 3:45 pm. Don’t miss the exhilarating cross-country competition starting Saturday from 9 am until approx. 6:30 pm. Pack a picnic and comfy lawn chairs for Sunday’s Show Jumping competition starting at 8:15 am. The American Eventing Championships are only four months away, giving you plenty of time to make plans to experience this fabulous eventing festival! The AEC will be held for the second year in a row on September 8-11, 2011, at the expansive and picturesque Chattahoochee Hills/Bouckaert Farm’s equestrian venue located on the 8000 acre farm of Carl Bouckaert, himself a former Olympic eventer who continues to compete as an upper level rider and is the gracious host of each competition. Regardless of whether they finish in the ribbons or not, every horse and rider who competes at Chattahoochee Hills/Bouckaert Farm will feel like a champion. The facilities are beautiful and designed from the outset specifically for horses and trailering logistics. The course is fair but challenging enough that both horse and rider learn what they’re made of. Ritch Temple, course designer and organizer is also the owner of Broadstone Equine, the official equine insurance provider of the USEA. An “R” USEF-licensed Technical Delegate and FEI-licensed Course Designer, he has designed courses all over the U.S. including the upper level courses at the American Eventing Championships in Wayne, Illinois. Without the dedication of our volunteers, Chatt Hills Eventing would not exist. For those of you that have been part of the “Chatt Family” of volunteers in the past, we look forward to seeing you again, and for those that would like to sign up for this year’s Events, we welcome you with open arms. To volunteer for this May’s competition, and for more information regarding volunteering, please contact:chattvolunteers@aol.com Chattahoochee Hills is proud to announce Land Rover as the Official Automotive Sponsor of the Nutrena/USEA American Eventing Championships. “After partnering with us in our inaugural year as the AEC host site, not only has Land Rover agreed to work with Chatt Hills for another two years, we’re thrilled that they were so pleased with last year’s event that they have increased their level of support,” said Event Director, Ritchard Temple. “It’s exciting that a company of this caliber, one which is such an important player in sports across the globe, sees the AEC as an important part of its future.” Suncoast Bedding, our latest sponsor for the 2011 USEA American Eventing Championships, offers only premium quality pure pine shavings horse bedding for maximum cushioning and excellent absorbency. Sterile and essentially dust-free, their fresh, natural pine is ideal for your horse and easier on your budget than many alternative bedding materials. Suncoast’s manufactured Pine Shavings are made from 100% organic pine wood shavings that are high heat dried and screened multiple times to remove dust. Dever, Inc. is proud to be the official golf car supplier for ALL of the Chattahoochee Hills Events…including this year’s American Eventing Championships. Interested in sponsorship of the Chattahoochee Hills/USEA’s American Eventing Championships? We are always looking to partner with businesses to help promote the AEC. AEC competitors have always enjoyed the fabulous prizes and cash provided by our generous sponsors – come join the party and find out what Chatt Hills/USEA can do for you! Contact the Marketing/PR/Sponsorship Director, Maria Hanson. Email: chatthillseventing@gmail.com or call: 770-846-8544. For additional information, please visit the Chattahoochee Hills Web site atwww.chatthillseventing.com or find us on Facebook as “Chattahoochee Hills Eventing.” Photos Courtesy of Hoofclix.com MARIA HANSONChatt Hills Marketing/PR/Sponsorship Chatt Hills Office: 770.463.8544Mobile: 770.846.8544chatthillseventing@gmail.com

Chattahoochee Hills is proud to announce their latest sponsor for the 2011 USEA American Eventing Championships, Suncoast Bedding.

“Thanks to their excellent sponsorship Suncoast Bedding will be providing initial bedding for every competitor at this year’s AEC,” said Event Director, Ritch Temple.

The 2011 USEA American Eventing Championships will be September 8-11 at Chattahoochee Hills in Fairburn, Georgia. Visit the AEC page on the USEA website or the Chattahoochee Hills website for more information.

http://useventing.com/competitions.php?section=aec&id=2689