Unionville, Pa: The Professional Riders Organization (PRO) wrapped a successful weekend of competition at the Plantation Field International Horse Trials. PRO partnered with Plantation Field for its second year of CIC*** competition, hosting several events and awarding $15,000 of prize money. PRO riders also dominated the competition, winning four divisions and placing in all but one.
PRO’s partnernship with the Plantation Field International Horse Trials marked PRO’s first official sponsorship of a three-day event. One of PRO’s missions is to help establish events that provide a full weekend of entertainment for local spectators and first class competition for the country’s leading event riders. PRO’s goal for 2010 is to launch a National PRO Tour in partnership with leading event organizers.
“We were delighted to partner with PRO for our second year of international competition,” said Denis Glaccum, Plantation Field organizer and PRO board member. “Not only did PRO riders turn out in record numbers, significantly increasing spectator interest and involvement, but PRO’s generous prize money offering also heightened the level of competition.”
Though Plantation Field marked PRO’s first official sponsorship of a three-day event, attendance and entries were evidence of what PRO can deliver. Throughout the weekend, more than 1,000 spectators descended upon Plantation Field, marking a dramatic increase in attendance. Entries also increased, from 180 the previous year to 240, 80 of which included PRO riders.
PRO was formed in 2009 by a group of leading professional riders who felt they had a special obligation to and interest in strengthening the sport of eventing. In addition to representing the goals and objectives of professional riders, PRO is also dedicated to elevating the level of competition, contributing to ongoing rider education, improving the standards of competition and promoting safety while working to attract new fans, sponsors and participants.
Though formed with professional riders in mind, PRO also works with the eventing community to increase spectators’ involvement. As eventing grows in popularity, PRO partners with organizers, sponsors and fans to raise its profile to that of more mainstream, high profile sports. Through these partnerships, PRO works to make eventing more exciting and dynamic as it continues to evolve.
Throughout the weekend, PRO hosted events for spectators and riders alike. In addition to autograph signings and a silent auction that benefited PRO’s Prize Money Fund, PRO and Bit of Britain hosted a CIC cross-country course walk led by PRO riders Leslie Law and Boyd Martin.
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PRO riders also took top honors at Plantation Field, winning four divisions and placing in all but one. Phillip Dutton, Olympian and PRO founder, won the CIC*** with Inmidair, owned by PRO board member Jan Byyny. Dutton also took third and sixth place. Other PRO rider finishes in the CIC*** included:
- Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville in second,
- Boyd Martin and Remington XXV in fifth,
- Mara Dean and Nicki Henley in seventh,
- Sharon White and Rafferty’s Rules in ninth,
- and Allsion Springer and Destination Unknown in tenth.
Other wins for PRO riders at Plantation Field included:
- Leslie Law and Java in the CIC**,
- Susie Beale and Isabella II in Open Intermediate A,
- and Dutton and Young Man in Open Preliminary A.
For more information on PRO, please visit www.professionalriders.org.
