Site:
The Hickory Knoll CDE site encompasses three associated farms to provide roughly a 600-acre venue. This will be the 15th year for the event, which is well supported by the community financially, and as volunteers and spectators.
Hickory Knoll is the home of the Madison Polo Club. That field provides nine flat acres of mowed lawn for the 80m and the first 100m dressage arena and the cones and warm up areas. The first 80m and the 100m dressage arenas are surrounded by a plastic chain fence with elevated judges’ platforms. The second 80m arena is placed on an all-weather driving surface and is surrounded by wood fencing.
The stabling is placed 30m south of the polo field. Polo parking areas are used for spectators. The arena, tent, hospitality and spectator facilities are in compact arrangement. Spectators and spectator parking are kept separate from the stable area, which is secured and requires badges to access.
The trails are well maintained. The majority of the first section and all of the last section are mowed bluegrass. Hill climbing is gradual so that small ponies and VSEs are not over faced. Total elevation changes are approximately 30m with parts of the first section being hilly and the second section rolling.
Spectators:
As both the cones arena and 100m dressage arenas are on the polo field, spectator viewing is excellent. The Red Barn hospitality center is close by, utilizing the restored structure seen behind Cone 6.
Tents are provided for spectator shade and sponsors. The walk to the spectator car park is only 60 meters with parking for 450 cars. The site is entirely accessible for wheelchairs. The Red Barn is used for competitor meetings, and contains accessible and air conditioned restrooms.
The interior of the Red Barn offers shelter from sun and rain and a wheelchair-friendly paved floor. It is used for morning driver meetings and the awards. Food vendors are available there during the day. The barn was engineered for high wind loads when restored and has lightning protection for thunderstorms.
Obstacles:
Hoplands: Hop bowers and timber-surrounded flower planting area with wood columns, 20 plus gate settings available, medium open obstacle. Hopland utilizes hops trellises and prairie flower enclosed timber framed planting beds.
The Oaks: Park-like setting with large logs, tree boxes and wood columns, 20 plus gate settings available, open and fast obstacle.
Lake Anne: Water obstacle with bridge, multiple large concrete flower pots set in the water, crushed granite base.
McGibbon’s Maze: Fence obstacle with 18 gate settings available. Will be expanded for 2016. Technical obstacle.
Storm’n Norman: Heavy timber fencing around a hickory on high ground. Compact but yet open to drive. 30 gate settings available. Medium technical obstacle.
Mr. Cool’s Meadow: (south half) A wide obstacle with a mix of heavy timber fences and trees with some slopes and a few wood columns. Currently 12 gate settings available but will be expanded for 2016.
Obstacles tend to be large so that accessible four in hand gating can be provided. The water obstacle barriers are heavy concrete and cannot be damaged. The bridges are engineered for seven tons for large fours.
The timber obstacles are generally heavily built and well anchored. The site uses extensive permanent plantings and potted flowers.
The water obstacle and bridge are well constructed and safe with good pond bottom. That obstacle includes one of the bridges on site, all of which are heavily railed.
Support:
The Hickory Knoll COE is organized by the Hickory Knoll Fund, Inc. a 501(c)(3) public charity. The event has provided a surplus each year due to significant sponsorship, which money is used for charitable purposes. Donations are tax deductible.
Manpower for set up and take down is provided as a donation by Frostwood Farms LLC and FCC, Inc.
The event is well advertised to attract spectators. Support by the State of WI and City of Fitchburg is expected. Hotel room blocks are provided for drivers and spectators.
Awards:
The Hickory Knoll CDE provides ribbons in each category for first through sixth place. Divisional champions receive ribbons and glassware trophies.
A best dressage award is given in each division, as is a best-conditioned award. North American Championship awards will likely include coolers.
Entries:
Entry numbers in recent years have varied from 54 to 61 with up to 34 in Preliminary. Our site and schedule can accommodate 70 entries.
We are located so that we draw competitors from Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio, as well as local drivers.
Security:
We have for many years provided 24-hour horse health monitoring. While half the competitors camp on the grounds, those who are in nearby hotels know their horses will be checked throughout the night by our experienced monitor, who camps next to the stable and stabling tents.
We also will provide name badges for all competitors and their staff, so that the trailer parking and stable area can be kept off limits. This provides bio-security as well as fundamental security. Admission to the trailer park and stables will be by badge only, as at FEI level events. Spectators and their parking are fenced and kept separate from the competition-dedicated areas.
We have a very well developed safety plan with helicopter evacuation available and six-wheel ATV rescue on the grounds during marathon. We have three to four EMTs on the grounds who are familiar with the marathon sections and how to get to any location in the fastest possible manner.
