Recently, after a long time away, I relocated back to the South, to Tallahassee, Florida, where I was born and raised. One thing I’ve learned since coming home is that eventually, you stop seeing the things that made you want to leave and start seeing things that make you want to stay.
The Red Hills Horse Trials is one of those “makes you want to stay” things. Held annually at the Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park and adjacent private land owned by Colin Phipps, Red Hills is a nationally recognized equestrian competition that benefits the Tall Timbers Foundation. It’s also a celebration of the beauty of this part of North Florida and Southern Georgia known as the Red Hills region.
And it’s a success. Welcoming thousands of spectators and over 180 national and international competitors, Red Hills is a fun event, whether you are an equestrian or not.
The Park is astonishingly beautiful, with majestic oaks that drip with Spanish moss; beautiful rolling terrain; and an abundance of flowers, foliage, and birds. There are on site vendors selling a variety of items, and this being the South, there is plenty of food available. Although folks think of equestrian events as decidedly grand affairs, the Red Hills Trials – while lovely – has a low-key, bring the kids and the dogs feeling, that makes you want to engage with the sport.
And then, of course, there are the horses. Gorgeous, grand animals, they and their riders compete in dressage, cross country, and stadium jumping events.
This year, during the stadium jumping event, a horse made an attempt to jump a hurdle, hesitated, went to try again, and then refused. It was easy to feel his uncertainty, and to have empathy for a grand animal, having a bad moment. And it was easy to have appreciation for his gracious rider, who patted his neck to say “it’s ok.”
Perhaps that is what is most striking about the Red Hills Trials – to see first-hand that at the heart of the sporting life, is something very simple; an incredible bond between human and animal.
At the end of the event, as the winners poured off the course, someone shouted out to a young rider whose horse was adorned with a ribbon “Nice job.” “No” she said leaning down to pat her horse “it wasn’t me…it was all him.”
More Information
See more of my photos from the Red Hills International Horse Trials
See more of my portrait series with Nicolette Merle-Smith and horse Cappuccino Ice
Learn more about the Red Hills Horse Trials
Learn more about Tall Timbers Research
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