MEDIA RELEASE

The Thirty-Fourth Annual Hunter Trials will be held at Hawaii Preparatory Academy at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 18, at the school’s Upper Campus in Waimea. Entry deadline is Tuesday, April 13.

Nancy Steinecke of Kapaau will judge. Steinecke is a 2010 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) ‘r’ Dressage and ‘r’ Dressage TD. She also is a 2008 USEF ‘r’ Eventing and ‘r’ Eventing TD.

Scoring will be per jump completed, with points deducted for each refusal. Points will be awarded for achieving Optimum Time and for achieving a time within 29 seconds under Optimum Time. Points will be deducted for over Optimum Time.

The horse and rider with the highest total score will be declared the winner in each division. Ribbons will be awarded through eighth place.

Riders will compete in the following divisions:

* Terrain Explorers (Entry fee: $35): No jumping required. This is an opportunity for horses and riders ready to explore hills and dales, swales and turns. Competitors must pass behind the numbered obstacles on their course for the obstacle to be considered completed. Geared for new explorations. The Optimum Time will be based on a combination of trot and a few canter strides.

* Log Traversers (Entry fee: $35): 5 to 6 logs to be traversed—safely and with gusto. These log or stump jumps (18” to 2‘ high) are lying in the Taj pastures and are welcoming to young and experienced alike. The Optimum Time will be based on a combination of trot and canter.

* Leaping Lizards (Entry fee: $35): 8 to 10 jumping efforts, no higher than 2’6”. The Optimum Time will be based on canter.

* Brave Hearts (Entry fee: $35): 13 to 15 jumping efforts, no higher than 2’9”. The Optimum Time will be based on canter.

* Soaring Jumpers (Entry fee: $35): 17 to 19 jumping efforts, no higher than 3’, with spreads anticipated. The Optimum Time will be based on a combination of canter and some gallop.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information or show registration, contact show manager Judy Folk at 885-4302 or e-mail: jfolk@hawaiiantel.net.