Adding to the excitement of the horse trials was the USCTA National Preliminary Championships for the Western DeBroke trophy. The championship is for Grade 3 or unrated horses qualified over a one-year period by winning either a Preliminary Horse Trial, or placing first or second in a Preliminary level Two-Day Event, or placing first, second or third in a Preliminary level Three-Day Event.

Horse trainer Gina Miles won the trophy on her six-year-old Irish sporthorse McKinlaigh. The 26-year-old resident of Creston, Calif., Miles had clear jumping rounds and 12 time penalties on the cross country. Winning the DeBroke trophy was a dream come true, she said.

"I've always wanted to just ride in the DeBroke," she said. "To win it is just amazing."