The Millbrook Horse Trials is an extraordinary equestrian event which brings great excitement to the horsey set and their devotees. Recognized among the region’s most prestigious annual sporting events, it attracts Olympic-level, world-class competitors from the United States and abroad. MHT is the largest event in the northeast and the only one with an advanced division. Expertly chaired by our friends, Jody Dady, Caroline Merison, Odaria Finemore, Diana Niles King and Nelli Vorheiss, the action is non-stop and over-the-top, culminating in the Millbook Horse Trials Benefit Luncheon where top riders compete for $10,000 prize money. Please scroll below to see the incredible array of weekend events.
For what to wear to a luncheon in the country we were inspired by the season’s nostalgic fabrics – eyelet and seersucker. J. Crew had a marvelous sampling so we shopped the whole summery ensemble there. Accessories include raffia espadrilles, the cutest fringe disk earrings, and a complementary circle bag. Wyeth Hats are a sunny California-based label that crafts premium, easy-to-wear hats.
Country Luncheon
dresses:: Seersucker Dress SALE $99.99 / Midi Sarong Dress $158 / White Eyelet Dress $148
accessories: Fringe Disk Earrings SALE $44.99 / Wyeth Georgia Hat $79 / Straw Circle Bag $128 / Le Specs Last Sunglasses $79
shoes: Isa Tapia Espadrilles $325 / Stella Heels SALE $189
It is so much fun to go spectating from ring to rise and all jumps in between. An especially popular site for viewing is the water jump. MHT has set up a hospitality tent serving breakfast and lunch. We put together a casual outfit to best enjoy the scenic and heroics on the course. We highly recommend Ariat Clogs to keep your feet safe and dry.
top: Cotton Poplin Top $59.50 pants: Toothpick Jeans $98 accessories: Wyeth Georgia Hat $79 / Le Specs Last Dance Sunglasses $79 / Sophie Anderson Raffia Tote $445 / Ariat Clogs $129
Considered the triathlon of the equestrian world, Eventing is a rapidly growing sport. It includes three equine disciplines: Dressage, Cross Country and Stadium Jumping. Millbrook Horse Trials provides all recognized levels of competition from USEA Beginner Novice to Advanced level.
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.
Here is the fully calendar of events. Spectating is free!
Thursday, August 1
9 am to 5 pm — Dressage – All levels
12 pm to 5 pm — Yellowframe Farm Tent open for Millbrook Hospitality Package purchasers, and Gold and Silver Medal Sponsors.
5 pm (approximately) — Novice Cross Country Course Walk with 5* rider Ariel Grald, sponsored by Emerald Valley Equine Nutrition
6 pm to 8 pm — Welcome Party in the Riders’ Hospitality Tent sponsored by the American Horse Trials Foundation and Treeline Farm
Friday, August 2
7:30 am to 6:00 pm — Yellowframe Farm Tent open for Millbrook Hospitality Package purchasers
7:30 am to 5 pm — Dressage, All levels
8 am to 6 pm — Cross Country: Training, Novice, Beginner Novice
6 to 8 pm — MHT Welcome Party in the Riders’ Hospitality Tent
Saturday, August 3
7:30 am to 6:00 pm — Stadium Jumping: Training, Novice, Beginner Novice
7:30 am to 6:00 pm — Yellowframe Farm Tent open for Millbrook Hospitality Package purchasers
8 am to 4:30 pm — Cross Country: Intermediate, Advanced, Preliminary
8 am to 4:30 pm — Cross Country viewing at the Fresh Gourmet WaterView Tent
6 pm to 10 pm — Competitors’ and Volunteers’ Party in the Stadium Tent
Sunday, August 4
7:30 am to Noon — Yellowframe Farm Tent open
7:30 am to 2:30 pm — Stadium Jumping: Intermediate & Advanced
Noon to 2:30 pm — Benefit Luncheon in the Stadium Tent
And please watch Marion Latta deVogel’s video on last year’s Horse Trials.
Millbrook Horse Trials 2018 from Marion Latta de Vogel on Vimeo.
