TerraNova Equestrian Center Hosts Successful Test Event
Myakka City, Fla. – June 23, 2021 – TerraNova Equestrian Center hosted its first event, the TerraNova Schooling Show and Eventing Derby June 19, to rave reviews. The event at the new facility in Manatee County, just east of Bradenton and Sarasota, served as a test event in the planning of The Event at TerraNova, hosting Starter Level through CC14*-S, scheduled for Oct. 22-24, pending approval of US Equestrian.
Entering the drive through the TerraNova Equestrian Center gates and around the beautiful fountain feature makes a lasting impression. The event included luxury touches like boutique food vendors, including gourmet pizza baked on site, a shuttle that ran throughout the event and more. This was no typical schooling show.
Photo by EQ Media
“Like everyone else on the property today, I was overwhelmed by the potential of this site going forward,” said dressage judge Peter Gray, a USEF R-rated eventing judge and three-time Olympian. “The layout is absolutely brilliant. The planning was impeccable. The quality of the grounds and the footing is second-to-none. It’s a huge contribution to the sport, not only in Florida but in the United States, to create a facility with the potential to hold international events in any of the disciplines– dressage, show jumping and eventing. It is going to be a huge destination for competitors in Florida.”
Tracey Corey and Byrnwyck West. Photo by EQ Media
Taking home the win in the Eventing Derby Training level was Tracey Corey with her own Byrnwyck West, a 15-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Devil His Due x Heirloom Wish). The pair earned an astounding 19.6 in dressage and were penalty-free in the combination show jumping and cross country phase. Elle Strote (Cocoa, Florida) and her own Karmic Calling were second with a total score of 24.6 and Erin Wages (Geneva, Florida) and Semisonic Rembrandt earned the third spot with 26.6. Corey also placed fifth with a second mount, Super Nova.
“The venue was terrific, the people were over-the-top helpful and very well-organized,” said Corey, who hails from Ocala, Florida. “The footing was great and the cross country was a blast. I’ll be back in October!”
Erin Wages and Morrison. Photo by EQ Media
Wages’ second ride of the day, Morrison, a 6-year old Thoroughbred, nabbed the blue ribbon in the Novice division of the Eventing Derby with a 23.3 in dressage and 2 time penalties and a final score of 25.3. Erin Lassere (Daphne, Alabama) and Foxtrot Todd finished with 25.5 for second-place honors and Kate Emerson and It’s Gonna Bee Me were third with 30.2.
“I absolutely love the place! The facility is just gorgeous,” Wages said. “You can see they are doing so much to get ready for the next show.” Wages plans to be back in October for The Event at TerraNova as well.
According to Wages, her young horse Morrison is off the track and is just learning. However, he earned his top dressage score of the season and had an excellent outing.
Grace Hamm and Xavier. Photo by EQ Media
In the Beginner Novice division of the Eventing Derby, Grace Hamm and her horse Xavier took the top prize with a 28.8 overall score after turning in a 21.8 score in dressage and dropping a rail in the jumping phase. Abigail Goodwin and FGF British Fields were second with 28.3 and Elise Williams (Sarasota, Florida) and Highlander were third with 29.5. The Beginner Novice division showcased up-and-coming youth Taylor Wright (Orlando), who earned the fourth slot with his horse April Z and barn mate Nicole Nair (Winter Garden, Florida) aboard Jack Run, who was sixth. The two junior riders bookended Leanne Brown (Montverde, Florida) and Botanica in fifth place.
“I think everyone had a blast and we learned a lot too, which is what a test event is all about,” said Sara Kozumplik Murphy (Berryville, Virginia), who has been an integral member of the organizing committee.
“Everything ran smoothly and everyone seemed happy, said Hannah Herrig Ketelboeter, one of the founders of TerraNova Equestrian Center. “The atmosphere was so positive and everyone was having a great time.
The first and second-place winners of the Eventing Derby won entries to The Event at TerraNova. “They all said, ‘I can’t wait to come back,’” said show manager Max Corcoran. “It’s so great to hear that from the competitors.”
TerraNova members of the organizing and management committee posed for a photo at the TerraNova Fountain. Standing: Natalee Herrig, Sara Kozumplik Murphy, Max Corcoran, Hannah Herrig Ketelboeter. Seated: Adam Lamb, Steve Herrig, Dale Northrup, Zach Ketelboeter and Marty Rauch. Photo by EQ Media
Zach Ketelboeter noted that the goal of TerraNova Equestrian Center is to offer the highest quality at all levels. “Having a schooling show at this type of facility with this type of footing and this type of jumps; it promotes the sport even more,” he said. “We want to be everyone’s favorite event.”
About TerraNova Equestrian Center
TerraNova Equestrian Center is Florida’s newest equestrian competition venue. Tucked into the picturesque countryside of Myakka City, in Manatee County just east of Bradenton and Sarasota, TerraNova is a welcoming setting for all levels of horse enthusiasts to enjoy equestrian sports. The team at TerraNova built a family-friendly facility designed to deliver an unparalleled experience for competitors and horses while keeping safety a priority. No detail was overlooked with six state-of-the-art arenas and a sprawling cross-country course designed by Olympic gold-medalist Capt. Mark Phillips and built by master craftsman Eric Bull.
TerraNova Equestrian Center is the vision of equestrians Hannah Herrig Ketelboeter, her husband Zach Ketelboeter and the Herrig family. The couple manages and trains at their private facility on the 225-acre site and have been leading a top-notch organizing committee for The Event at TerraNova, hosting Starter Level through CC14*-S to be held on the property’s competition venue Oct. 22-24 (pending USEF approval).
An amenity-rich real estate development is planned with multi-acre lots. The property has the feel of old Florida with giant Spanish-moss-covered oak tree hammocks, lush green grass lanes teeming with deer, the sounds of sandhill cranes and other native wildlife.
For more information about TerraNova Equestrian Center, click here.