Since its debut in 2011, Twilight Jumpers continues to grow as a fun Friday night "family and date" destination at Great Meadow in The Plains, featuring beautiful horses jumping big, painted fences – exciting even for greenhorns – followed by dancing in the pavilion and under the stars. The season kicked off on May 29, with three Fridays to go: June 26, July 31 and August 28.

Based on the ever-popular Twilight Polo, Twilight Jumpers offers a double-header: the $500 Children's/Adult Amateur Class and $5000 Mini Prix, each limited to 20 entries, invitation only. Twilight Jumpers serve as the primary fundraiser for High Performance Equestrian Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, founded in 2007 by Alden and Penny Denegre and family friend, Gail Sonnenberg, with the mission of raising awareness and offering financial aid to capable but underfunded riders.

HPEF continues under the directorship of Alden and her husband, professional trainer/rider, Gavin Moylan, who have spent the last few years building their hunter, equitation horse and jumper sales. They continue to handle HPEF's administration end, but handed the reins of the four Friday jumper shows to Liz Billings.

"This is my second season as commander-in-chief of Twilight Jumpers and I love it," said Billings. "I have helped out, sponsored and competed in it since the beginning and I really love how much people enjoy it and look forward to the next one. Their enthusiasm is contagious. I'm thrilled when new or non-horsey people exclaim over how much they enjoy Twilight Jumpers."

The $500 Child/Adult Amateur tackles a course at 1.05meter, and the Mini Prix jumps 1.30meter. The goal is a clear round – no jumping or time penalties – in order to qualify for the jump-off, which takes place over an abbreviated course with a shorter "time allowed." It's a whole lot easier to describe show jumping than to do it. The next best thing to participating is watching in person.

Support for Twilight Jumpers comes from locally based riders. Silvio Mazzoni (ARG), jumper rider and the US 3-Day Team show jumping coach, and his wife, amateur jumper rider, Jessie Mazzoni, are very active on the circuit and often compete at Twilight Jumpers. Silvio has won the Mini Prix numerous times and, last year, earned top honors for the series. At the May 29 season opener, he finished a close second in the Mini Prix.

"It isn't the biggest jumper competition, but it's a good way to get horses exposed to the "atmosphere" which is super," said Silvio. "For eventers, it's good to jump under lights with more atmosphere. Of course, competitions should also focus on the entertainment of owners, sponsors and the public, which this one does."

Sporting and social entertainment is an important part of Twilight Jumpers, and it's a great place to watch up-and-coming riders and horses, as well as seasoned veterans of the Grand Prix circuit. The excitement of topnotch competition keeps people coming back. They tell their friends and associates, thereby increasing the spectator base, and that helps HPEF to raise the money to assist deserving riders and trainers.

"Silvio and Jessie have been great about encouraging the other pros to do the Mini Prix class," said Billings. "They brought in the event riders and one of our other husband-and-wife teams, Augustin and Bree Rosales. We have a few mother-daughter, grandmother/granddaughter, father/son, father/daughter and several husband-wife combos who compete."

Twilight Jumpers has also created a new kind of horse show based on old-fashioned principles: low cost, good prize money, and a fun community and family atmosphere with tailgates, picnics, parents, kids, dates, business groups, and horse-people all having a great time in a beautiful setting. You don't have to know anything about horses and you can purchase food on the grounds.

Gates open at 6:30 pm, first class begins at 7 with the Mini Prix getting underway about 8:30. Dancing follows in the pavilion. General admission tickets are available at the gate: $30/carload. Spectators can reserve rail-side boxes and tailgate parking by calling 540-454-6673.

For more information: www.equestrianfoundation.org