United States Eventing Association

This year, on Sept. 6–7, the Five Points Horse Trials at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, North Carolina, will offer something eventers in the Southeast haven’t seen in years: long-format divisions. For the first time, the popular early-fall fixture will include Beginner Novice and Novice Three-Day divisions as part of the USEA Classic Series, reviving a tradition that’s steeped in history and rich in educational opportunity.

Leading the charge is Max Corcoran, previous groom for Olympic rider Karen O’Connor, past USEA President, and current organizer for four of the venue’s events—including the SRF Carolina International. She brings a wealth of experience to the role, making the inaugural effort a true collaboration of knowledge and passion. “The long-format teaches you so much more than just riding,” Corcoran said. “It’s about horsemanship, fitness, care, preparation, and planning.”

She would know. In 2006, after years of grooming at top events, Corcoran competed in a Training Three-Day herself, riding David O’Connor’s Walk On the Moon. Karen groomed for her that weekend, giving both women a new appreciation for the demands of the format—and each other’s roles.

For riders who’ve grown up in the post-long-format era, the idea of a three-day event with roads and tracks, steeplechase, and the 10-minute box may sound more like a history lesson than a real possibility. But for those who’ve experienced it firsthand, the educational benefits—and the unforgettable memories—are enduring.

Audrey Wiggins understands this better than most. A longtime board member at the Carolina Horse Park and chair of the Carolina International committee, Wiggins rode in one of the Novice Three-Days at Southern 8ths Farm in South Carolina years ago. She remembers the challenge, the preparation, and the camaraderie—but most of all, how different her horse felt galloping out of the start box after phases A, B, and C.

“It’s a completely different feeling than when you're just at a horse trials, and you warm up and leave the box,” she said. “There’s no way to practice it—you just have to experience it. That open gallop stride, the way your horse feels after all that prep—it blows your mind.”

And she didn’t do it alone—her groom that weekend was none other than Corcoran.

“I was smart enough to hire Max,” Wiggins recalled with a laugh. “She taught me more in four days than I could’ve learned in four months—when to walk them, when to let them rest, how to manage aftercare. So much of that gets lost in modern horse trials.”

Corcoran came on as the organizer for the Carolina Horse Park’s four recognized events in 2024, including Five Points, Southern Pines, and Carolina International. After her first year organizing Five Points saw stronger-than-expected entries, Board members floated an idea: could they bring a long-format three-day to the park?

“My response was, sure—if we’re going to do it, we need to do it right,” Corcoran said. “We needed extra land, more volunteers, and a solid educational plan. But the Board said, ‘We’re in. Let’s do it.’ So we did.”

Both Corcoran and Wiggins agreed: start small, do it well, and build from there. For the first year, the three-day will include only Beginner Novice and Novice divisions, giving the crew a chance to test logistics and land use without overextending.

“We have enough land, and we’re lucky to have fields that riders have never been on before,” Wiggins said. “Most people don’t even realize that when they drive in, the Horse Park owns the fields we’re using for roads and tracks and steeplechase. It’s going to be really special.”

Corcoran also gave credit to the course designer, Beth Perkins, who will use her decades of background in the sport to create the layout for roads and tracks. “She’s going to be extremely influential on how this all flows,” Corcoran said.

The Carolina Horse Park has long been known for its excellent footing and expansive layout. With recent land acquisitions—including roughly 30 acres near the stabling entrance and additional fields behind the property’s beaver pond—the facility has both the space and infrastructure to support the long-format’s unique demands.

“We’re planning to use land on the stabling side for phase A, cross over for steeplechase, and then go behind the pond for phase C,” Corcoran explained. “It’s all relatively central, and we’ve got places for vet checks, the 10-minute box, and spectators to watch key parts of the action.”

The steeplechase track, in particular, is a nostalgic nod to the park’s past. Years ago, the facility hosted the Stoneybrook Steeplechase, and much of the original track is still intact. Builders Tyson Rementer and Levi Ryckewaert will create fences that can serve both levels of competition.

“We’re not reinventing the wheel,” said Corcoran. “We’re using what’s already here and making smart upgrades. One of our jump designs is even adjustable—just pull some pins and drop it down for Beginner Novice.”

One of the most significant benefits of the long-format model is the learning that happens both in and out of the saddle. Riders also take part in steeplechase schooling, jog practice, dressage fix-a-tests, and horsemanship clinics with top professionals.

With the park’s impressive roster of local talent—including Will Faudree, Bobby Costello, Ariel Grald, Sydney Elliott, and Olympic legend Mike Plumb—riders will have access to experienced voices who’ve ridden the long-format at the highest levels.

“The camaraderie is incredible,” Corcoran said. “You hang out with your friends, meet new people, and learn from riders who’ve been there. That’s what makes it so fun.”

Wiggins agreed, emphasizing that the park is uniquely suited to support these added educational components.

“We have pavilions, classroom space, and a whole calendar of unrecognized events leading up to Five Points,” she said. “Our War Horse series gives people a great opportunity to prep, and I think folks will start seeing this as a destination event.”

For riders in the Carolinas and surrounding regions, the addition of long-format divisions at Five Points fills a long-standing geographic gap. Until now, the closest USEA Classic Series venues have been the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event in Lexington, Kentucky (Oct. 15–19), and Waredaca Horse Trials in Laytonsville, Maryland (Oct. 24–26). Midsouth offers Novice and Training Three-Days, while Waredaca includes a Beginner Novice Three-Day—making Five Points one of the only events in the Southeast to offer both Beginner Novice and Novice in a classic format.

Southern 8ths Farm in Chesterfield, South Carolina, also played an important role in the long-format legacy in this region. For a decade, the venue hosted the Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event and Horse Trials before its final event in 2018. The return of a long-format event in the Carolinas has been a long time coming, and for many, it brings back fond memories of that era.

By anchoring these divisions earlier in the fall season and closer to home, the Carolina Horse Park provides a new and more accessible goal for adult amateurs, juniors, and professionals alike.

Pulling off a long-format event takes a village, and the Carolina Horse Park has just that. From the grounds crew to the awards committee—known for their over-the-top prizes—to a group of board members who actively compete themselves, the park runs on passion and participation.

“Our board is hands-on,” Wiggins said. “Many of us still compete, whether in dressage, jumpers, or eventing. We’re doing this because we love the sport and want to give back.”

Corcoran echoed that sentiment. “This event is for our people—the adult amateurs, the kids, the professionals who want to mentor. This is our version of the ‘local international.’ We want it to feel special.”

For now, the long-format divisions at Five Points are set to run biennially, alternating years with the American Eventing Championships to avoid scheduling conflicts.

“Every other year makes sense,” Corcoran said. “It gives riders something to aim for without overwhelming the facility or the calendar. Plus, it keeps the event feeling unique.”

Still, there’s plenty of enthusiasm about the possibility of growth.

“I’ve had people already ask, ‘Why aren’t you doing Training yet?’ ” Wiggins said. “And I say, let’s get through the first one. We’re starting with a manageable group so we can do it well, then we’ll see what the future holds.”

Whether you’re a rider looking for your next big challenge or a spectator nostalgic for the golden days of eventing, Five Points this fall will offer something rare and meaningful. “There’s something about the classic format that sticks with you,” Wiggins said. “Even years later, I still think about that weekend—how hard I worked, how much I learned, how incredible my horse felt. I want other people to experience that.”

And thanks to Corcoran’s vision, the Carolina Horse Park’s resources, and a community ready to pitch in, they will.

“It’s horsemanship at its best,” Corcoran said. “And more than anything, it’s fun. That’s why we’re all here in the first place, right?”

The opening date for the Five Point Horse Trials is July 2. See the Omnibus listing here for more information.

About the USEA Classic Series

The USEA Classic Series keeps the spirit of the classic long ­format three­-day events alive for Beginner Novice through the Preliminary levels. Competitors can experience the rush of endurance day, including roads and tracks, steeplechase, the vet box, and cross­-country, as well as participate in formal veterinary inspections and educational activities with experts on the ins and outs of competing in a long ­format three-­day event. Riders who compete in a USEA Classic Three-Day Event during the year will have the chance to win a variety of prizes at the events from USEA sponsors and earn leaderboard points. Click here to learn more about the USEA Classic Series.

The USEA would like to thank bronze sponsors D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis Saddles, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, and SmartPak Equine as well as contributing sponsors Bates Saddles and Parker Equine Insurancefor supporting the USEA Classic Series.