POWNAL – Local residents will have the opportunity to watch horses and riders test their mettle Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5 and 6, at the Snowfields Horse Trials.

Horses and riders from all over the area will compete for top honors in the equestrian sport known as eventing. An Olympic sport since 1912, eventing is best described as an equestrian triathlon, with three phases that test the competitors’ skills in the ring, over fences and galloping across the countryside.

Dressage, a sort of equestrian ballet, tests the horse’s and rider’s ability to perform a series of prescribed classical movements in an enclosed arena. During cross country, horse and rider gallop over natural terrain, up and down hills, across ditches and into water, leaping over a variety of obstacles.

In the show jumping phase, competitors make their way over a course of colorfully painted fences in an enclosed arena, making an attempt to leave all the fence rails in their cups when they cross the finish line.

The divisions of competition are designed for horses and riders at the introductory levels of the sport. While some will be content to win ribbons and bragging rights, others will also use the competition as a stepping stone to one day qualify for international caliber events in order to pursue their goal of representing their country at the Olympic Games.

Events will take place at 450 Lawrence Road. The competition is tentatively scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. both days.

For more information on the competition, contact Clarissa Edelston at 862-2772 or visit the Web site at www.maine-evening.org. For more information on the sport of eventing and the United States Eventing Association, contact Amy Daum at 703-779-0440, ext. 3017, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.useventing.com.