Hooves thundered across sun-baked soil as riders and horses charged over fences in the hot summer air at Le Cheval Farm on the edge of Carbondale this past weekend for the Dunnabeck Mini Event. Marking its 25th year, the event drew 34 competitors, their horses and many volunteers for a day of precision, skill and camaraderie.
Originally a nationally recognized horse trial, the event now runs in a “mini” format, giving riders and volunteers easier access while preserving the long-standing tradition. Jill O’Donoghue, who co-owns and operates Le Cheval de Boskydell with her husband, Mark O’Donoghue, said the format allows the event to continue despite rising costs.
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“We ran it recognized… through the United States Eventing Association…oh gosh, for quite a few years,” Jill O’Donoghue said. “And I’m gonna say that it’s been the past five [years] that we decided to run unrecognized and do it in the format that we’re doing it right now, which we call a mini.”
Dressage opened the competition, a discipline often called “horse ballet,” where riders perform a series of precise controlled movements and patterns scored on every move. Show jumping followed, challenging horses to clear fences that could topple if missed. The final cross-country phase tested both speed and agility over permanent obstacles, many built by Mark O’Donoghue, across the farm’s rolling hills and shaded stretches. Riders navigated jumps, hills, and shallow water banks, while the sun beat down, making every sprint and turn a test of endurance.
O’Donoghue said the event’s energy is contagious.
“It’s a lot of work, but seeing the riders tackle something you built makes it worth it,” he said. “The atmosphere here is fun — everyone’s rooting for each other. That’s why I love doing it.”
Volunteers, including previous SIU student Sarah Heitz, are crucial to the day’s success.
“My favorite part is cross-country,” Heitz said. “It’s really cool to see all the riders and the people I’ve known for so many years and see their horses go up the levels or just continue to get stronger. I think it’s the atmosphere. And I think Jill, the O’Donoghue family, I think they put on such a great show. It’s relaxed, it’s come as you are. Everyone’s here to just enjoy their time and enjoy the space that the O’Donoghues allow for us to use.”
The O’Donoghues have hosted the event since 2000 and have owned Le Cheval de Boskydell since 1979. The mini event allows riders to compete affordably while maintaining a long-standing tradition and showcasing the majesty of their horses under the southern Illinois sun.
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“We do it because we love it,” Jill O’Donoghue said. “We continue to do it for the students, especially younger ones who are going to do their first event.”
Staff reporter Amilia I. Estrada can be reached at [email protected]
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