Richland Park is the realization of a dream that originated
over twenty years ago. In 1985 Bob & Kay Willmarth purchased
their farm in Richland, Michigan. Their farm included twenty
acres as well as a land contract for the additional sixty acres.
With eighty acres under their control, they entertained the thought
of hosting a horse trial, but quickly realized they needed more
land to do it properly. In 1993 the 240 acre farm which surrounded
their property became available. Bob and Kay fought to purchase
the land. They were successful and acquired the property
in 1996. While they had quite a substantial piece of property,
one more land acquisition was needed. In 2000, the final
piece of 20 acre land was acquired.
Bob and Kay began taking steps
to make their dream of hosting a horse trial a reality. They discussed
the idea with their riding instructor Robin Walker. Robin advised
Bob and Kay to approach, Mike Etherington-Smith, a top international
designer regarding the construction of their cross country course.
Robin and Bob met Etherington-Smith at The Radnor Hunt International
Three-Day Event in the fall of 2000 and discussed Bob & Kay’s
dream. In the spring of 2001, Etherington-Smith came to Richland
and designed the novice, training, and preliminary courses. He
also designated where the dressage, stadium, stabling and parking
should be developed. In the summer of 2001 Bert Wood from
Temecula, California and Jay Hambly, from Guelph Ontario Canada
came to the farm to build three entire courses in seven weeks.
In the spring of 2002 Mike and Bert returned to Richland to design
and plan the intermediate and advanced courses. The construction
of the intermediate course began the day after the inaugural event
ended in September of 2002. The second water complex, the
sunken road and the ditch complex were completed for both intermediate
and advanced levels of competition. In January 2003, under
extremely cold weather conditions, Bert and Jay built the intermediate
portable jumps in a big red barn on the property, while Kris Hollister
stoked the wood-burning stove to keep warm. In June 2003
Bert returned to the farm with Nick Fulton and Kris Hollister and
finished the intermediate course. The inaugural run of the
intermediate course took place at the September 2003 Richland Park
Horse Trials. During the summer of 2004, Bert and Jay returned
once more to finish the advanced course, which was unveiled for
the first time in 2004. Mike returned once more in April,
2006 in order to make decisions and changes to the 2006 course
as well as to make plans for 2007 when The Richland Park Horse
Trials will offer CCI ** and CCI *** courses.
The Richland Park
Horse Trials is a year round commitment. Throughout the year The
Willmarth’s and their crew are busy planning,
promoting ,wiring, running water lines for stables and speakers,
mowing, and of course still building fences. Why do
they do it? Bob & Kay view their effors as their way
of giving back to the sport they both love. It is their hope
that the competitors will enjoy the challenge before them, and
they are confident that the competitors will learn from riding
a Mike Etherington-Smith course. Bob & Kay recognize
that they couldn't have done this alone and are grateful to the
many people who have helped them through the years.
About
Bob & Kay:
Bob & Kay were married in 1976, and resided in Paw Paw until
1978 when they moved to Kalamazoo. Richland became their
home in 1985. Bob & Kay owned and operated Bob & Kay'
Shell Carwash at Westnedge and Crosstown Parkway for several years. They
also constructed Bob & Kay's Auto Wash on Gull Road in 1980,
and Bob & Kay's Auto Wash on Stadium drive in 1990. Bob & Kay
are avid horse lovers who competed in the sports of Eventing and
Fox Hunting for over a decade.
About the Designer:
Mike Etherington-Smith and his wife, Sue, reside in Banbury, Oxfordshire
in England. Mike is a former event and show jumping rider
who has the unique ability to think like a horse as well as a
rider. This talent is put to use when designing and placing
cross-country obstacles. Etherington-Smith is in his fourteenth
year as course designer for the Rolex Kentucky Three-day Event. He
is also the course designer and event director of the Blenheim
CCI*** in England. He is also the first course designer
to be named a second time to design the Olympic course. Sydney
in 2000, and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In addition,
Mike is the technical advisor for the Eventing World Championships
of the 2006 FEI World Games. |