Hardwick, MA—July 31, 2003— Action-packed equestrian competition at the 2003 Over the Walls Horse Trials begins Friday, August 1, at picturesque Great Meadowbrook Farm in Hardwick, MA. Competition continues through Sunday, August 3.

The stage is set for three days of exciting equestrian action at one of America’s premier Horse Trials, with more than 200 horses and riders from the U.S. and other countries. Over the Walls will showcase the nation’s most accomplished eventers as they vie for the Jack Le Goff Trophy in the event’s featured competition – the National Advanced Horse Trials Championship. The trophy is awarded to the top U.S. horse and rider combination.

Heading the list of entries is the 2002 Advanced Division 1 and Jack Le Goff Trophy winner, David O’Connor, the 2000 Sydney Olympic individual Gold Medalist and team Gold Medalist at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Spain. Last year’s Advanced Division 2 winner, Australian Phillip Dutton, a two-time Olympic team Gold Medalist, is also entered as is five-time U.S. Olympian Bruce Davidson, three-time U.S. Olympian Karen Lende O’Connor, 2000 Sydney Olympians Bobby Costello, Nina Fout, and Linden Weisman, and 1996 Olympian Mara Depuy.

Dressage competition, the opening phase, begins on Friday at 7:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day. Saturday will mark the challenging cross-country phase and Sunday’s show jumping will comprise the competition’s third and final phase.

Besides the National Advanced Horse Trials Championship, this year’s Over the Walls Horse Trials also hosts seven other Advanced, Preliminary, and Young Rider division classes featuring world-class riders from all over the globe. Over the Walls is also the last selection trial for the Area I Young Riders before they head off to Bromont, Canada for the North American Young Riders’ Championships, August 20-24.

In addition to witnessing world-class horses and riders galloping over green fields overlooking the Central Massachusetts Town of Hardwick, spectators at the 2003 Over the Walls Horse Trials can enjoy shopping at the event’s trade fair. Vendors will be on hand, offering gifts for home, people, and pets, horse supplies, tack and equipment, and everything for the horse enthusiast.

The Over the Walls Horse Trials is open to the public with free admission and a parking charge of $5.00 per carload, which benefits Windrush Farm Therapeutic Riding, Inc. and includes a horse show program.

For more information, please visit the Over the Walls website at www.overthewalls.com.

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