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A Brief History of The Richland Park Horse Trials |
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: About the Designer: |