United States Eventing Association

Purcellville, Virginia (April 7, 2011)—$10,000 in prize money will be awarded to the Intermediate divisions in the inaugural J.C. Chester Intermediate Challenge at this June’s 8th annual Surefire Horse Trials. John C. “Chips” Chester was a long time Surefire supporter and owner of Jan Byyny’s competition horses Task Force, Syd Kent and Why Not.

In addition, prize money will be awarded in the four other divisions, Beginner Novice through Preliminary, with $100 going to the winner of each class. Ribbons and other prizes will also be awarded in all divisions.

For the first time, the competition will take place over three days, June 24, 25 and 26, with the Intermediate to run entirely on Friday. Also new for this year, Surefire has been designated a Professional Riders Organization (PRO) Junior Young Rider Training Level Scholarship observation competition. Young riders who wish to be considered for PRO’s Eastern U.S. Training Scholarship will be vying to win a free week’s training with either Jan Byyny or Marcia Kulak.

PRO is pleased to announce they will once again be organizing a PRO/AM Team Competition which pairs a professional rider with a team of three to four junior/young riders and/or adult riders. PRO/AM Teams vie for prizes and ribbons in a scorecard competition. Each team member receives a course walk and coaching tips from their PRO, and a gift just for entering the team competition. Prizes for the PRO/AM Team Competition Series are sponsored by Ecogold, Nunn Finer and Five Star Tack.

Tremaine Cooper is returning as Surefire course designer with Trav Schick and crew building. Organizer Jan Byyny and manager Christy Stauffer promise a better-than-ever event, including trade fair, grill tent and legendary volunteer appreciation perks.

More information about the Surefire Horse Trials is available on their website, www.surefireeventing.com. Please contact the organizers at info@surefireeventing.com or phone (540) 729-3977 (Jan Bynny) or (540) 295-1024 (Christy Stauffer) with sponsor or competitor questions or to volunteer.

For more information about the PRO/AM Team Competition, visit the PRO website at http://www.professionalriders.org/pro_am_team_competition.htm, and for information about PRO’s Training Scholarship go to http://www.professionalriders.org/PRO_J_YR_Scholarship_Program.pdf.