FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2024, Aspen Farms, Yelm, WA
The inaugural CCI4*-Short Advanced cross-country course at Aspen Farms Horse Trials in Yelm, WA is designed by Morgan Rowsell of New Jersey. The track consists of 35 jumping efforts (25 numbered elements) over varied terrain. The speed is 570 meters per minute for an optimum time of 6 minutes 2 seconds.
This is the first time Aspen Farms has run an Advanced track in June, and it’s the first CCI4*-S being offered in the State of Washington.
“Here at Aspen Farms it’s all set up for success,” said Rowsell. “Jonathan and Suzy Elliott have done such a good job with this place. It’s really a joy to design here. We have lots to choose from… We have two water complexes; we have tons of good jumps. We already run an Advanced track in September, so this was an easy lift to get the course built.”
Rowsell is excited to be a part of bringing the first CCI4*-S to Washington State. “It’s a need in the West. Places like Rebecca Farm, Twin, and Galway do a great job as well. The more of these FEI events that we can have, the better riding we will have. It will help support upper level eventing West of the Mississippi.”
Rowsell notes some key areas on course that spectators may enjoy watching from would include the central field Toklat Water Complex, flanked by the VIP Tent. Just beyond the Toklat water jump is a challenging Kerrits brush combination using the hilly terrain, and for a more serene and secluded viewpoint spectators can catch the Aspen Farms’ classic Salmon hatchery in the Gallops Water Complex. He also noted there are some new Pacific Northwest-themed murals on the final fence carved by course builder Tyson Rementer, overlooking a backdrop of Mount Rainier on clear days.
CCI4*-S PHOTO COURSE WALK
APF Startbox
Fence 1 – APF Log
Fence 2 – Table
Fence 3 – Frangible Table
Fence 4 – Oxer
Fence 5AB – Drop to Narrow
Fence 5AB – Drop to Narrow
Fence 6 – Aspen Farms Table
Fence 7 – Angled Brush
Fence 8AB – Gallops Salmon Hatchery Water
Fence 8AB – Gallops Salmon Hatchery Water
Fence 8AB – Gallops Salmon Hatchery Water
Fence 9 – Table
Fence 10 – Cabin
Fence 11ABC – The Bunker
Fence 12 – Geronimo Drop
Fence 13 – Table
Fence 14AB – Kerrits Brush
Fence 14AB – Kerrits Brush
Fence 15 – Table
Fence 16ABC – Toklat Water
Fence 16ABC – Toklat Water
Fence 17 – Oxer, overlooking the Arion bank
Fence 18 – Cabin
Fence 19ABC – Stubben Coffin
Fence 19ABC – Stubben Coffin
Fence 20 – Seattle Equine Ditch Brush
Fence 21 – Cabin
Fence 22AB – Corners
Fence 23 – Triple Bar
Fence 24 – Ditch Oxer
Fence 25 – Log
Fence 25 – Log, Looking back from the finish line
The show schedule is available online, here. You can follow along with live scoring for Aspen Farms Horse Trials at Startbox Scoring, here. The CCI4*-S competitors will ride cross-country starting at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 16.
* Video by STF Productions.
