Sarah and Murray Stanton have been organizing unrecognized horse trials for eight years from their Deary, Idaho farm. According to Sarah, it’s all been great preparation for this year’s first recognized event, to be held September 11th and 12th.

“We’ve been running our unrecognized events as if they were recognized,” Sarah said. “That was our goal. In a lot of respects, this year’s event isn’t that much different from an organizer’s standpoint.”

The 207-acre facility offers rolling hills and varied terrain, some of which is in old timber. The Stantons have worked with course designer Steve Buckman over the years, creating portable jumps that include corners, skinnies, and picture frames for the upper levels. In addition, the course offers a water complex, ditches, and bank. There is a 100’ x 200’ covered arena, and a 200’ x 300’ outdoor stadium jumping arena. Courses vary from a “very friendly” Beginner Novice course to a more challenging Preliminary.

“The course is really pretty,” Sarah says, “Cross-country jumps are all made from local timber, using white cedar poles from a nearby mill.”

While attendance has been small (40-50 riders) for their unrecognized events, Sarah thinks it’s been good for the event, allowing her to work out the kinks and expand at a comfortable pace. “We’ve built good, working relationships with the local community, including the fire department and local EMTs” she says. “We have a great pool of volunteers and lots of really positive support.” While most competitors have been from Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho (Area VII), this year she hopes to draw more riders from Montana and Southern Idaho (Area IX).

Stanton Farm has panel stabling for 40 horses on site, plus an additional 100 in portables. Anything over that will be housed at the Pony Club Grounds, seven miles away. Competitors can camp on the grounds (dry, primitive camping) or stay in hotels in Moscow and Elk River, an easy 30 minute drive. “We’ll offer a big, cowboy BBQ dinner on Saturday night,” Sarah said. “And have concessions on site.”

The event will kick off with an Opening Ceremony, including a Blessing of the Horses—a takeoff on Foxhunting’s Blessing of the Hounds. Sarah’s husband Murray, a Lutheran pastor, will lead the blessing, which will be followed by the Star Spangled Banner and a flying of the colors. Once the horses have been properly blessed, dressage will begin.

Officials will include Joanna Herrigstad, Deeda Randle from Wyoming, and Karin Bishop from Washington. “All have been very supportive,” Sarah says. Gray (12), Olav (9), and Carl (4) Stanton will also be working to help support the event—the boys are all active members of the Palouse Hills Pony Club.

For activities outside of horses, families can enjoy fishing and whitewater rafting at the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers. Hells Canyon also offers spectacular scenery and water sports. For hunting and camping, Sarah recommends the Elk River area, near the Palouse and Bitterroot Mountains. Murray Stanton will offer a church service on the grounds, on Sunday morning.

With USEA’s approval, Stanton Farms’ Horse Trials are poised to grow, as the region’s riders look for new opportunities to compete—and have fun—with their horses.

For more information contact Stanton Farms at (208) 877-1248 or stantonfarm@cpcinternet.com. You may also visit www.stantonfarm.com