Saddle up and ride into the Millbrook Countryside as the most exciting completion and country fair arriving this week. For 4 days, first class riders and their eager fans gather to take part in an extraordinary equestrian event in the stunning scenery of the Millbrook countryside. There is highly competitive riding to spectate, great food to consume, tailgating to enjoy, and a top notch shopping experience in the Millbrook Market Tent and Trade Fair Truly something for everyone, Please join us on Friday, August 26, for a most fun and festive gathering, Style & Horsepower! Candace Bushnell and Barbara Tober have both had a lifelong love affair with horses and it will be great fun to hear what they have to say on the subject.
For what to wear to our Friday Night Sip & Shop and Sunday’s Spectator Luncheon – anything goes. Some of the guests will be in their riding ensembles, fresh off their steeds, while others will be in great little summer frocks. Needing a little update to my own closet, I went shopping straight away. CaraCara is owned by some friends from Millbrook – I adore these brightest of colors to keep cool in the summer swelter of July. And for accessories, I shopped the Millbrook Market Weekend Vendors to find just the perfect items to complete the ensemble. Join us!
What exactly is eventing? As one of the oldest equestrian disciplines that is with us today, it is a sport that tests one fearless rider atop one trusty steed in phases of discipline, accuracy and speed. From Widipedia, “Eventing originated from fox hunting in the 19th century and was later molded into a military test in the 20th century before its induction into the Olympic Games in 1912. There, it was only open to amateur riders who were in the military and its purpose was to test the cavalry on their fitness and suitability. Each of the three phases that still exist today have functional foundations from this time as dressage showcased skills from the parade ground and the jumping phases demonstrated speed and stamina. Over the years, changes have been made in the length and format of the sport to increase the importance of technicality, fitness, and safety, making eventing the ultimate test of horse and rider.“
The Millbrook Horse Trials (MHT), a recognized United States Eventing Association (USEA) Event, is an important part of a long equestrian tradition in Dutchess County. Recognized among the region’s most prestigious annual sporting events, it attracts world-class competitors from throughout the United States and brings some 400 riders and their support staff into the local community each year. MHT is the largest event in the northeast and the only one with an advanced division.
Each day of the Millbrook Horse Trials has a very different flavor.
Thursday and Friday are fun days when you can watch upper level dressage, shop the terrific Trade Fair vendors along the driveway, enjoy delicious food and enjoy the beautiful countryside.
Saturday at MHT has a country fair atmosphere! The upper level competitors, galloping across the countryside over imposing, solid fences. This is exciting to watch, especially from the comfort of the Waterview tent, or as you tailgate with friends and family overlooking the cross-country course! The food & beverage trucks and the Trade Fair and Millbrook Market Weekend Vendors will be open all day. Saturday is Family Day with pizza and ice cream, and other fun activities for kids.
On Sunday, the upper level show jumping is the climax of the competition! Patrons will enjoy lunch with their guests as they watch top level riders compete in the finals from the comfort of their private ringside tents.
Check in to the Schedule of Events for general details and updates. Scroll down to find handy links to everything you’ll find at Millbrook Horse Trials and the surrounding area.
What to Wear While Competing? Each discipline requires its own code of dress so we queried our friends and the USEA for the guidelines.
DRESSAGE: The dress code for Training through Fourth Levels is a short riding coat of conservative color, with tie, choker or stock tie, white breeches or jodhpurs, boots, or Jodhpur boots, and protective headgear. Gloves of conservative color are recommended.
CROSS COUNTRY: A body protecting vest must be worn warming-up for and in the cross-country test. For the cross-country test light-weight clothing is appropriate. A shirt with sleeves must be worn. Protective Headgear, any color. Britches or jodhpurs may be any color. Gloves, if worn, may be any color. Boots are black or brown.
JUMPING: For the jumping test, a hunting dress of uniform with protective headgear is to be worn. Hat covers other that solid black or dark blue are not allowed. Coat must be in a dark color, while a shirt must be worn with a pin, chocker, or tie. Gloves, if worn, dark color, tan, beige or white. Jodhpurs or Britches must be light color or white, and boots brown or black.
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Thursday, July 25
6 am to 6 pm — Cider Bros Roadhouse Concession Tent open
12 to 5 pm — Dressage (See Daily Competition Schedule)
10 am to 5 pm — Trade Fair open
Friday, July 26
6 am to 6 pm — Cider Bros Roadhouse Concession Tent open
8:00 am to 5 pm — Dressage (See Daily Competition Schedule)
8:30 am to 6 pm — Cross Country (Training, Novice, Beginner Novice)
9 am to 5 pm — Trade Fair open
11 am to 6 pm — Food Trucks open
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm — Millbrook Market and Trade Fair Sip & Shop
Saturday, July 27
6 am to 6 pm — Cider Bros Roadhouse Concession Tent open
8 am to 4:30 pm — Stadium Jumping (Training, Novice, Beginner Novice)
8 am to 4 pm — Cross Country (Intermediate, Advanced, Preliminary)
8 am to 4 pm — Yellowframe Farm Waterview Tent open to ticket holders
9 am to 5 pm — Trade Fair open
10 am to 5 pm – Millbrook Market open
11 am to 3 pm — Two by Two Animal Haven Petting Zoo open
11 am to 6 pm — Food Trucks open
6 pm to 8 pm — Competitors’ and Volunteers’ party sponsored by Purina and Triple Crown
Sunday, July 28
6 am to 4 pm — Cider Bros Roadhouse Concession Tent open
7:30 am to 2:30 pm — Stadium Jumping (Preliminary, Intermediate, Advanced)
9 am to 3pm — Trade Fair open
10 am to 3 pm – Millbrook Market open
11 am to 3 pm — Food Trucks open
11:30 am onward — Sponsor Luncheon in private ringside tents and in the Millbrook Club Tent
It take a village to put on this spectacular event, including an army of volunteers so generous with their time. Thanks to all!
Photos by Amber Heintzberger
