102 SIDELINESMAY 2014
FORHORSEPEOPLE • ABOUTHORSEPEOPLE
e
By Lauren R. Giannini
P
ine Top Farm in
Thomson,
Georgia,
has a long history
with three-day eventing, which
began fittingly in the leap year
(February 29-March 1, 1992)
when the Wilson family’s first
horse trial debuted. It was a
glorious period in American
equestrian history with all of
the preparations for Atlanta
to host that year’s Summer
Olympics. Since then, Pine Top
Horse Trials have grown so
much in scope that Pine Top Farm is experiencing a serious
Renaissance and theWilson family has been busy with plans
for their equestrian facility’s future.
Major changes have already been set into motion. Pine
Top organizers Glenn and Janet Wilson made the official
announcement that in 2015, Derek di Grazia will take over
the reins of the cross-country course design for Pine Top
Horse Trials. Also, for the first time ever, the 2014 Pine Top
Spring Advanced Horse Trials included two international one-
day events: CIC* (Concours International Combiné one-star)
andCIC** (Concours International Combiné two-star). In 2013
the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) asked the
Wilsons toadd theCICs to their calendar and theywerehappy
to comply, knowing that international divisionswould enhance
Pine Top’s status on the United States Eventing Association
(USEA) calendar.
Event riders who experience
the outstanding footing and
hospitality tend to return and
Pine Top Farm’s staff and
volunteers often greet them
by name. Longtime event
secretary Gwen Urbanik, a
retired elementary school
teacher, handles the toughest
questions and situations with
grace and charm even as she
puts an equestrian spin on
the term “steel magnolia.” The
family atmosphere makes it a
great competition for families
with kids and adult amateur riders, whatever their eventing
level. Dedicated to putting on awell-organized show that runs
on time, theWilsons have found themselves in theunfortunate
position of turning away people when entries max out.
During its three-day run from February 21-23, 2014,
Pine Top Spring Horse Trials started a record 305 horses,
including 62 Advanced horse-and-rider combinations in three
divisions. The CIC* featured 25 entries, horses and riders
with experience at the Preliminary level, and 31 entries with
Intermediate mileage entered the CIC**. It was an eventing
Who’s Who including Boyd Martin, Phillip Dutton, Allison
Springer,Will Faudree, AshleyAdams, Peter Barry (CAN), Jan
Byyny, Michael Pollard, KimSeverson, Will Coleman, Jessica
Phoenix (CAN), Sinead Halpin, Lynn Symansky. Many,
including Olympic, Pan Am Games and WEG veterans, will
YouCan’t TopPineTopFarms
Continued on page 104
PineTopFarm has beenplacedon theNational Register of
HistoricPlaces by theUnitedStatesDepartment of the Interior
.
Photo byVirginiaWilson
Dramatic image of
the trees for which
PineTop is named
and their backdrop
horizon of storm-
clouded sky.
Photo by LeeAnnZobbe
Derekdi Grazia
SignsOnAsNew
Cross-Country
CourseDesigner
