ABOUT THE FLYING COLORS MINI EVENT & OPEN DRESSAGE SHOW
The Flying Colors Mini-Events are some of the longest running events and most important Park fundraising activities. These multi-discipline and multi-level events enable the Missoula Horse Council to make major improvements to the cross-country course and stadium jumps.
Three Phases of an Event
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Dressage: a harmonious development of the physique and ability making the horse supple, flexible, confident and attentive while understanding the partnership requirements of the rider.
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Cross Country: a test of speed, endurance and jumping ability across a course of fixed obstacles; a water complex, a ditch and a mound. The Big Sky Horse Park course was professionally designed and built by Steve Buckman of British Columbia. Steve is a USEF ‘R’ and a FEI ‘C’ Course Designer. Several course designers including Bert Wood and Ali Allen-Shinn have contributed to the XC course to rebuild, refresh and update our courses to ensure their safety and rideability over the last several years.
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Stadium Jumping: the combination of a horse and rider’s ability to complete a course designed to prove suppleness, obedience, and jumping ability within an arena setting having short distances between fences and tight turns. The horse and rider team must complete course within optimum time to avoid time penalties.
*The cross country and stadium phases are combined in the "Derby" format.
Rules and Safety
Riders using the course must wear an ASTM approved helmet and have at least one other rider or ground person present with a cell phone. Protective vests are highly recommended when riding the cross-country course and mandatory at all Park sponsored cross-country events.
The course will be closed to non-event riders and other users during and immediately prior to cross-country events, which are all listed on the Park calendar.
Although we follow United States Eventing Association (USEA) rules and procedures, the events are not nationally recognized.