Catalpa Corner Horse Park

07/21/2025

07/14/2025

Eventer,
Due to low entry numbers, we have decided to cancel the coming August 2, 2025 USEA Recognized ODE.

You will receive a FULL monetary refund.

The refund checks will be issued this week, and expect delivery late this week or next week. We have an address for mailing based on your EVENT ENTRIES or X ENTRY paperwork. Please contact our secretary if your address has changed. If you don't receive a check in two weeks please contact me.

I would ask that you cash/deposit your refund check promptly.

All the best,
Susan Brigham
[email protected]

06/11/2025

Fun Local Event!

06/11/2025

Catalpa Corner with close June 21, 2025 for open schooling as we prep for our USEA recognized event, August 2. The course rests for a week, and then will reopen for free open schooling August 9, 2025 till the weather holds.
Presently, the course is mowed, but not groomed. The native animals are active and numerous holes have appeared which I mark as best I can with stakes.
Enjoy!

04/08/2025

Schooling events in Eastern Iowa!

NHH SHAKE OFF THE RUST May 3, 4

For the second year, a rider and horse friendly weekend of dressage and cross country at Cedar Run Farm is offered. The dressage includes private or semi private lessons in an indoor watered arena by Alex Pasker, USDF L judge. The Hunter Pace the following day allows groups of riders to go out on a 1.7 mile course of natural obstacles at their desired pace, up to 3 times. Lunch provided each day.

Time to SHAKE OFF THE RUST before eventing season begins! The North Hills Hunt is delighted that past members Alex Pasker, USDF L Judge and Lizze McLain are helping provide a friendly weekend tune up early in the year. Alex has completed the USDF L program which requires over a year of study, multip...

04/08/2025

Kick ON 2025! Catalpa Corner will be open for schooling starting this weekend, April 12. The turf is a bit soft, but multiple drying days are ahead as well as warmer weather.

Schooling is FREE and well as stabling day/overnight - FREE!
The cost to the backyard eventer is becoming intolerable and the least we can offer is a small financial reprieve. Come enjoy the park as much as you like, and just drop a note by email or text that you are coming and course condition.

We have multiple newly seeded areas on the park, please, please AVOID! Optional crossing are available. I have placed two jumps - Novice and Training - at the far peak of the park as we will be using long path this year for a galloping course.

Please sign release in office before you mount - check grounds before you jump - contact me with course concerns.
Golf cart available for use, next to office.
Water/snacks/Pop in refrigerator.

Enjoy!
Susan
[email protected]
319-930-1209

02/03/2025

Catalpa Corner is off to a roaring 2025! We had several projects completed in early winter and are stockpiling lists for spring our building. Last fall we repaired the footing for our Madison's Cover Bridge which had eroded over the last several years. We have a firm level bridge with better drainage and a wider foot path. Now all of our eventers can again "kick on" through the bridge during their cross country adventures.

Our local county donated loads and loads of lovely topsoil as it cleared the ditches and we used this dirt to fill in deficits on either side of the top bank.

We also cleared the another pathway through the bottom creek for additional use cross country. We have a good deal of spring seeding, but are certainly impressed by these changes to the park.

Additionally, we hope to seed, feed and w**d the dressage rings for a smooth professional grass ring.

Lumber has been purchased to start a group of fun cabins at all levels, and we have had request for a training wedge and trakehner and we hope incorporate these obstacles in our new course this year.

The USEA omnibus for the August 2, 2025 USEA Recognized Event is complete. Despite increase in fees by USEA and USEF we are trying to keep Iowa eventing affordable for the backyard eventer and note no increase in fees.

We will be open for schooling as soon as the weather permits.
Happy New Eventing Year 2025!

10/16/2024

Catalpa Corner will be open the month of October for open schooling. Our farmer has mowed the entire course and the course is semi groomed. The water complex has been filled and I am willing to top it off for riders. The streams still have open water and the crop fields are empty and fun for galloping. Enjoy!

Send a message to learn more

08/07/2024

Found at Catalpa Horse Trials Barn B believe.

08/07/2024

As cooler Iowa days aid in "putting the show away", Jim and I want to reach out to all the wonderful volunteers that helped bring Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trials 2024 to fruition and close.

Our volunteers travel from outside the city, county, state, and even the country to create a fun and challenging day for our Midwest ventures. The hundreds of labor hours it requires to bring a hay pasture and wooded forest, with permanent critters and ever changing streams, into a groomed cross country course with close to a hundred jump obstacles as well as solid grass turf for our dressage and stadium....always amazes me. We are so grateful for the volunteers who "own the park" and place a personal stamp with their commitment and dedication. Jim and I are sincerely grateful.

We also thank our competitors who travel from numerous states to enjoy our event with the mentally of "build it and they will come." We hope to continue to improve the park and your eventing experience.

Sincerely appreciative,

Jim and Susan

07/31/2024

We are so looking forward to our Catalpa Corner Charity Horse Trials 2024!

We are ready! Dressage is ringed, x-country is set, staked and decorated and streams are flowing. Stadium standards are awaiting placement. Permanent stall with sawdust placed.

We continue to have challenges with weather - rain nightly, but Friday/Saturday lovely Iowa warm days. We have had conversations with our TD, GJP, CD and our forever advisor, Brian O'Conner on how to provide a safe ride in soft turf. Call if you have any questions.

Please consider participating in the USEA IEL Team Challenge - winning team with Catalpa T shirt, ice cream and bag of carrots. All competitors with ice cream and carrots!

Lastly, Catalpa will offer a Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt on the x country course for our JUNIOR eventers with all receiving a Harry Potter Tumbler. Pick up your treasure hunt sheet in the office! Wingardium Leviosa!

Catalpa stalls will be open on Thursday for long haulers, and close Sunday 3 pm.

Safe Travels,

Susan Brigham
Organizer
319-930-1209