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.

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!

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.

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