The Carolina Horse Park took on a carnival atmosphere March 20-22 with some of the top event riders in the country converging on the Southern Pines Horse Trials II. Over 400 competitors and a record number of spectators were easily accommodated by the sprawling horse park facility.

Local riders earned bragging rights, holding their own in competing against the likes of top eventers Philip Dutton, Karen O'Conner and Buck Davidson. Competitors represented almost every state on the Eastern Seaboard and as far away as the state of New Mexico.

Bobby Stevenson, riding Veronese Atkins' 9-year-old Thoroughbred Ice Wine, is on a roll. Fresh from a win at Southern Pines I in the Open Novice division, Stevenson and Ice Wine stepped up a division and continued their winning streak, winning the Training Rider division at Southern Pines II, scoring a -33.50.

"This is his (Ice Wine's) first legitimate competition in two years," said Stevenson. "He got his eyes opened in a good way in the cross-country phase. He was good in stadium with one rail down. His dressage test was far better than the week before. It was a well-run event and we had good weather this weekend."

Two local junior riders, both in their sweet-16 years, won their respective divisions.

Lizzie Snow, a junior at the O'Neal school, won the Preliminary Rider division aboard cross-country course designer John William's seasoned campaigner Sloopy, scoring a -36.60. Snow also placed third in the same division aboard her mother's horse Pop Star finishing with a -42.80.

"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to ride Sloopy," said Snow. "He is giving me great experience and he is a fun horse to ride. He knows what he is doing. Pop Star is a little greener (inexperienced). He is learning to event. At this event, he got into a rhythm and took me to the fences instead of backing off."

Haley Smith of Sanford, who trains with Charles Plumb in Southern Pines, won the Junior Training Rider division aboard her 13-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare Bally Rhyme. Smith went double-clear in the cross-country phase and the stadium jumping phase to rest on her Dressage score of -30.50.

"The Stadium course had a triple-combination and a Liverpool, both of which she (Bally) hadn't seen in a while. She did a good job of taking care of me through them," said Smith. "I was very pleased with how the weekend went."

Shelby Puricz and Stalking Man captured second place in the Junior/Young Rider Open Preliminary A division.

Thirteen-year-old Irish Cavalier is back in top form after suffering a major injury and undergoing surgery in the fall of 2007. Owner and rider Alison Kelly-Coates took second place in the Intermediate Rider division, scoring a -48.30.

"Irish Cavalier was spot-on for cross-country. I was thrilled with him," said Coates. "Not many amateur horses are lucky enough to come back after an injury like his, let alone be successful. This is our fourth event since his surgery and recovery. We placed second in three of the four events and first in another. It's a blessing I never expected to receive. Now I'm working toward my lifetime goal of riding Advanced in the fall."

Professional Mark Weissbecker took a second place in the Open Preliminary B division with Taxi, scoring a

-40.00. Linda Dreher of Vass placed third in the Open Preliminary B division aboard her Remington, also scoring a

-40.00. Weissbecker and Dreher were either closest to the optimum time cross-country (6:16) or their collective marks in dressage placed them ahead of Karen O'Conner who finished fourth with the same score.

Will Faudree and Kilkee Riani were third in the Open Training A division scoring a -28.50.

Rachel Jurgens and Ignition were third in the Open Preliminary/Training Division scoring -39.40.

Two retirement ceremonies capped off the weekend Sunday, March 22.

Will Faudree officially retired his long-time partner Antiqua from competition. Antiqua, owned by Matt, Kerry and Will Faudree has an impressive resume including being a reserve at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, a team gold medalist at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, several CCIs, and the Pan American Games as well as competing at the Badminton and Burgley Horse Trials in England. Antigua is a 1989 Australian Thoroughbred. In his long career Antiqua never incurred a penalty in the cross-country phase of eventing.

"He's been an unbelievable horse," said Faudree.

The dressage venue was officially christened the Lefreda Williams Dressage Complex in honor of Williams' retirement as an organizer for the Carolina Horse Park. Williams is one of the founders of the Park, having worked tirelessly since 1998 to see the Horse Park become a premier equestrian facility.

For full results, visit the Carolina Horse Park Web site at www.carolinahorsepark.com.