Episode 2: Area 1 Spotlight - Huntington FarmWhat does it take to preserve the history of one of Area One’s longtime eventing venues while building it for the future? In Episode 2 of First In, Last Out: Horse Show Edition, Liz Johnson and Laurie Hudson head to Vermont for the first installment of our Area One Spotlight series, spotlighting the events, venues, and organizers that make Area One special. Our guest is Skylar Clemens, owner and operator of Huntington Farm, who shares the story of how she unexpectedly found her way into eventing—and eventually became the steward of a property with more than half a century of sanctioned competition behind it. We talk about the enormous amount of work that has gone into Huntington over the past five years: clearing and rebuilding cross-country tracks, replacing fences, adding new levels, investing in new show jumps, improving infrastructure, and creating an all-weather arena large enough to accommodate both dressage and show jumping. And this year, there’s an even bigger item on the to-do list: hosting the Area One Championships. Skylar takes us behind the scenes of preparing Huntington for the championships, including new cross-country obstacles, championship tracks, the move to a two-day format, upgraded footing, prizes, vendors, stabling, and all the less-glamorous infrastructure that competitors may never realize goes into producing an event. We also talk about what makes Huntington distinctly Huntington: big galloping fields, shady tracks through the woods, cool Vermont nights, beautiful scenery, a welcoming atmosphere for young horses and first-time competitors—and a lot of eventing history underfoot. In this episode: How Skylar found Huntington Farm—and eventingPreserving the legacy of a historic Area One venueFive years of cross-country improvements and rebuildingPreparing to host the Area One ChampionshipsThe new all-weather arena and upgraded show jumpingNew championship cross-country fencesWhy infrastructure improvements like Wi-Fi, water, electric, and jump storage matterThe realities of maintaining an eventing facility in VermontKeeping courses challenging, safe, and up to the standard of the sportWhy this might be Huntington’s best year yet Before we wrap up, in this week’s Loose Bite, Liz and Laurie make a pitch for one of their favorite subjects: volunteering. Horse trials simply don’t happen without volunteers—and you don’t need years of eventing experience to help. Volunteer opportunities can range from traditional competition-day jobs to coming out on a Tuesday to help paint jumps. We talk about EventingVolunteers.com, the USEA Volunteer Incentive Program, tracking your volunteer hours, and why those hours matter for Area One year-end awards. And consider this a preview: we have a full volunteer episode in the works, because there are plenty of jobs, stories, and unsung horse-show heroes still to talk about. First In, Last Out: Horse Show Edition takes you behind the scenes of eventing and horse shows with the organizers, officials, volunteers, competitors, and horse people who make it all happen. Whether you’re first in, last out, or somewhere in the middle—you’re in the right place. 3…2…1…Have a great ride!
