A view of the Eden Park Equestrian Complex in Sunbury, Ohio
from the driveway. The 160' x 300' indoor coliseum is the largest heated indoor
arena in the midwest!
IHSA NATIONALS RETURN TO OHIO FOR FIRST TIME SINCE '93
It has been some time since IHSA Nationals came to the midwest, and the 2005
edition of the Season-Ending Championship Competition will be only the third in
the organization's history to take place west of Pennsylvania, east of the
Mississippi and far enough north not to be considered the South! The state of
Ohio hosted the last Midwestern Nationals show in 1993, at which time Ohio State
won the Stock Seat Team Competition for what was a record third straight season
for a western program at the time. Since then the National show has traveled
to New England, the Rockies, Hollywood (well Burbank at least), the South (five
times) and the State of New York (three times).
This year's show will be the first IHSA Nationals to take place in the
vicinity of the state capitol. Columbus, Ohio is America's fifteenth largest
city, and is located almost directly in the middle of the state. Interstates 70
(which runs from Utah to the Baltimore, Maryland suburbs) and 71 (which runs
from Cleveland to Louisville) intersect in Columbus, making the location ideal
for those traveling by auto. For those traveling by air, Port Columbus
International Airport is only ten miles from Downtown, and airlines including
American, Continental, Delta, Independence Air, Northwest, Southwest, United and
US Air all provide some service into Port Columbus at this time. The National
show itself will be held roughly 30 miles north of the State House, at Eden
Park Equestrian Complex in Sunbury, Ohio, an impressive facility in any aspect
imaginable.
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As evidenced by the green temporary fencing, this
picture of the coliseum was taken after a team penning event. As was
the case from 1998 to 2002, Tables which can be reserved will be set
up along part of the coliseum. |
Opened in September of 2002, Eden Park's centerpiece is a 160' x 300'
heated indoor coliseum. This state-of-the-art coliseum, apparently the
largest heated indoor riding arena in the Midwest, will host all the IHSA
Nationals classes. Though the ring itself is capable of multiple
configurations, the majority of the arena will be used for the classes
themselves. The bleechers can hold up to 1,000 spectators, and
additional table seating will be added around part of the circumference for
teams who which to reserve a virtual front-row seat. Not far from the
bleechers is the 40' x 325' vendor aisle, no doubt briming with activity
during down time between classes. Near the main entrance to the coliseum
is a combination of Lounge and Snack Bar, where one can get a hamburger,
watch the show through the windows or even watch some TV if the urge hits!
Spectators headed down the driveway into Eden Park would get the
impression the facility is one long building, but once past the Coliseum
portion of the structure it becomes obvious Eden Park stretches on forever.
Attached to the Coliseum is an addition 75' x 300' arena that upstages
many IHSA on-campus indoors. This additional ring will likely be used as
a holding/mounting area at Nationals, though it could also serve as an
excellent schooling area if need be. Attached to the additional arena
are two stabling barns with 149 stalls in each. Each barn is 60' x 400'
with each stall measuring 10' x 10'. Schools from the Midwest, South
and Northeast are scheduled to bring horses for this year's show, and
these barns will likely be their home away from home.
Around the back, the outdoor facilities are as impressive as the
indoor. Three outdoor arenas, each 160' x 520' run side-by-side with
an outdoor stabling area. Eden Park has an official web site,
http://www.edenparkequestrian.com which fills in any blanks and also
includes some lifelike panoramic photography. From the home
page, we recommend clicking on "Tour Eden Park," then "Arenas," then
scrolling down to 'Outdoor Arenas' and then clicking on the middle 'Red
Circle.' The photo on this particular page shows the enormity of Eden
Park in finest detail. Whether you ride open or beginner, if you can
make it through two rounds of playoffs you will be showing here May 5th
through 8th!
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Eden Park features a second indoor arena, measuring
75' x 300'. Though used for shows in it's own right, the smaller arena
will likely be used as the holding/mounting area.
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Exit Strategy: Sharon Edelman, co-owner and operator of Eden Park,
says there are 60 Hotels and Motels within a 20 mile radius of Eden Park.
It should be noted that Eden Park is about five miles from Exit 131 of
Interstate 71, which is one of three Interstate Exits we have chosen to
profile to provide assistance to those who will be coming to the Columbus
area for the National Show.
I-71 Exit 131 (intersects with US Route 36 and State Route 37):
Arby's, Burger King, McDonalds, KFC, White Castle, Wendy's, A & W, Bob
Evans, Cracker Barrell, Waffle House, Days Inn, Hampton Inn and Holiday
Inn Express. This is the closest exit to Eden Park, as those exiting
off I-71 will head east on the 36/37 combo to get to the show. Of all
the establishments listed, only Burger King is on the east side of the
I-71 interchange. The three hotels are nice enough (this writer
enjoyed his stay at the Holiday Inn Express - Indoor Pool Too!) though
because of their proximity to Eden Park might already be booked up.
Keep in mind that schools with teams that qualify for various Zones
Competitions often pre-book a block of rooms and, if they do not
advance as a team from Zones to Nationals, cancel them a few weeks
before the May Championships. Most of the Zones Competitions take place
April 9th, 10th and 17th for the record. Other than the hotels and eating
establishments there is not much else to do at this juncture, though we
would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the choice of filling stations
is superior at this exit.
I-71 Exit 121 (intersects with Polaris Parkway): Applebees,
T.G.I. Friday's, O'Charley's, Max & Erma's, Olive Garden, Carrabbas, Red
Lobster, Chipotle, Bob Evans, Waffle House, Krispy Kreme, Panera Bread,
Starbucks, Wingate Inn, Wellesley Inn, Best Western, Baymont Inn & Suites
and Polaris Fashion Place. There are no exits between 121 and 131 on
Interstate 71, but those who exit here will find most name brand stores
and eateries on Polaris Parkway. The Parkway is three lanes in each
direction and appears to be mostly recent construction (more establishments may
be open by the time you visit in early May). Barnes & Noble? Got one.
Old Navy? Over there. Supermarket? Kroger's, down on the left.
The Polaris Fashion Place (which Edelman recommends along with Easton
Plaza) is an indoor shopping mall with five department stores (Macy's,
Kaufmann's, JC Penney, Sears and Saks Fifth Avenue). Though most of the
free-standing stores like Best Buy are on the left along the Parkway, the Polaris Fashion
Place is on the right, coming from the exit. All of the hotels listed
here are near the exit, before most of the businesses, eateries and mall.
There are a limited number of filling stations and fast food restaurants
in this area as well, but shopping is the primary goal of most who travel
the Polaris Parkway.
I-270 Exit 23 (intersects with US Route 23): Ruth's Chris Steak House,
Champps, Chipotle, Fuddruckers, Bob Evans, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Holiday
Inn, Sheraton Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, Marriott Residence Inn,
Amerisuites, Microtel, Red Roof Inn, Motel 6, Homewood Suites, Radisson,
Econo Lodge and Marcus Cinema. If you travel two miles south of Exit
121 on Interstate 71, your next exit is 119, which intersects with 1-270,
a Loop Road around the entire city of Columbus. If you take I-270 west to
the first exit (approximatly two miles), you reach Exit 23, which by
coincidence intersects with US Route 23. A myriad of hotels are on your
right as you exit towards Route 23 North, including the Holiday Inn which
serves as the official 2005 IHSA Nationals Host Hotel. The Hotel Information page on the official
IHSA Web Site (http://www.ihsainc.com/uploads/Webpages/54/docs/54_0069.pdf) also lists the Sheraton Suites, the Radisson,
the Amerisuites, the Red Roof Inn, the Microtel and Motel 6 as other
options for IHSA members. According to 2005 IHSA Nationals Show Manager
Dave Duncan, these hotels are in the upscale Columbus suburb of
Worthington, which offers nice shopping and dining opportunities (Ruth's
Chris Steakhouse a prime example). Next to the hotels is a complex known
as "East Campus View," which includes shopping, eateries and the Marcus
Cinema Movie Theaters, the only multiplex of theaters this writer saw
in the Northern Columbus suburbs.
That somes up our look at Eden Park and the surrounding area. Good
luck to all who attend, and may your trip to Columbus be both enjoyable
and rewarding.
--Steve Maxwell
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