The Millbrook Horse Trials, the prestigious annual three-day equestrian event, kicked off with a conversation between Candace Bushnell, author of Sex and the City, and former Brides magazine editor in chief, Barbara Tober, how learning to ride shaped them into the independent, successful women they are today. Said Bushnell, “I rode from eight to eighteen…. I was a member of the school’s Pony Club, so we did eventing and learned stable management, all aspects of horse care. We had lots of fun adventures. When my parents moved to a house with a barn in Glastonbury, Connecticut I took care of that barn, and you could eat off the floor. Of course, my own room was a mess. One time my father wanted to get on a horse, and it was hilarious to me and my sisters. But in a way empowering—something we could do and did, even though we were much younger.” Barbara Tober shared “I learned to ride from a book. I was self-taught. At six I had a horse at our farm. My parents had other priorities, and this was my way to independence. Later at Brides I kept riding, but in those days we all had long nails. I still rode and jumped. My husband Donald was a skier. He learned to ride for me, and I learned to ski for him. Sometimes before work I would ride with Michael Korda in Central Park. I was always jealous that his office had a shower for him. I had to go home and shower before arriving at Conde Nast.” What both women agreed on is that “learning to ride as a young woman instills confidence, concentration. The experience of falling off and getting back on makes you resilient and assured. It’s great training for life.”
The record crowd included former Governor Eliot Spitzer and his new wife Roxana, Sharon King Hoge, Karen Klopp, Cece Cord, author James Fray, and even tightrope walker Philippe Petit (himself a former equestrian). The event chairs were Mimi Babcock and Caroline Merison.
The Millbrook Horse Trials (MHT), a recognized United States Eventing Association (USEA) Event, is an important part of a long equestrian tradition in Dutchess County. Recognized among the region’s most prestigious annual sporting events, it attracts world-class competitors from throughout the United States and brings some 400 riders and their support staff into the local community each year. MHT is the largest event in the northeast and the only one with an advanced division. US Olympic team riders regularly compete their upper level horses at Millbrook to warm up for the top international competitions.
Often referred to as the triathlon of the equestrian world, Eventing is an exciting and rapidly expanding sport. It encompasses three key disciplines: Dressage, Cross Country, and Stadium Jumping. MHT offers a full range of recognized competitions, from USEA Beginner Novice to Advanced level.
The Millbrook Horse Trials’ success in attracting over 3,000 competitors and spectators is a product of its reputation for presenting a well-organized competitive environment, with expert F.E.I.-designed courses, in a beautifully maintained open landscape.
