WHAT
The second season of the FEI Eventing World Cup will resume today at the Red Hills Horse Trials held near Tallahassee, Florida's capital city. Thirty-five riders from ten countries will take part in the CIC-W*** scheduled for 12, 13 and 14 March 2004. The Red Hills Horse Trials are part of the United States Eventing Association's Gold Cup Series.

Named for the sloping terrain and rich red earth known as the red hills of North Florida and South Georgia, the event features a challenging cross-country course designed by British Olympian Captain Mark Phillips, current Chef d'Equipe and Technical Advisor for the United States Equestrian Team. It was built by Hugh Lochore (GBR), and is set in the central area of a 120-acre indigenous plant horticultural park owned by Tallahassee ecologist and horse enthusiast Colin Phipps. It features a variety of formidable obstacles winding through Phipps' arboretum.

The FEI is proud to count this high profile event, which has set itself as a mission to increase awareness and educate the public to Eventing, further cooperation among horse enthusiasts, promote the concept of resource protection, land and green space preservation and raise funds to benefit non profit organizations with compatible educational and environmental purposes, among the 2004 FEI Eventing World Cup qualifiers.

WHO
Thirty-five competitors representing Australia, Belgium, Canada, India, Ireland, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the USA have entered 55 horses for the World Cup class.

The participation of David O'Connor, president of the newly established United States Equestrian Federation, should be given particular notice. Since his breakthrough ride in 1985 in his first international competition, he has been on a steady climb to the top. Along with his victories in prestigious competitions such CCI 4* Lexington and CCI 3* Fairhill, he has won three exceptional gold medals: one as a member of the Pan American team in 2003, one as member of the World Equestrian Games team in 2002, and the most coveted and precious one - the Olympic gold at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

The younger generation will also be represented by 20-year old American Brittany Kart or 24-year old Donna Smith of New Zealand.

WHEN
Friday, 12 March 2004
Dressage: 8h00- 17h30

Saturday, 13 March
Cross Country: 8h00 - 17h00

Sunday, 14 March
Horse Inspection: 7h00
Jumping: 8h00 - 16h30

CONTACT:
The full list of entries and exact schedule as well as detailed information on the Red Hill Horse Trials is to be found on the event's website www.rhht.org

Press Officer
Peter Mitchell
Tel. (1 850) 893 3450
Mobile: (1 850) 545 7214
Fax: (1 850) 681 7016
E-mail: pmitchell@earthlink.net

***

The FEI Eventing World Cup is the sport's first linked series consisting of 17 qualifiers culminating in a yearly Final. It is organised at the highest level (three-star) of the short Eventing format which is the new standard for Championships and the Olympic Games. The series is designed in manner to encourage the participation of the world's best riders and horses and thus promote such emblematic values of Eventing, as the constant quest for harmony between physical skills and mental balance, contact with nature, precision, stamina, agility and insightful training. The FEI Eventing World Cup is a showcase of a sport resolutely turning to the future.