The equestrian athletes will be hungry for medals while the Food Bank of Manatee is hoping the fans are just, well, hungry.
Meals of Wheels Plus Manatee is combining with the TerraNova Equestrian Center to host an Empty Bowls fundraiser on Sunday, which is the final day of The Event at TerraNova. Competition begins at 8 a.m.
Those who attend will be treated to the show jumping portion of The Event at TerraNova, one of the nation's premier equestrian events — a triathlon of equestrian disciplines. Riders from 11 nations are competing.
Riders and their horses competed in dressage on Thursday and Friday and cross country on Saturday. The winners will be decided by points accumulated through all three disciplines.
Then on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., those attending can enjoy a bowl of soup (donated by the region's top restaurants), salad, bread and desserts, for $35. All proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Manatee.Tickets are available at MealsOnWheelsPlus.org.
Admission to the event and parking are free, although VIP ticket packages are available.
The action goes into the afternoon. For complete schedules, go to TerraNovaEquestian.com.
The facility is located at 31625 Clay Gully Road, Myakka City.
The different levels of competitions start at novice levels and go all the way to Olympic level talent.
Waylon Roberts of Canada rides Fernhill Salt Lake as they change speeds while approaching a jump during the Event at TerraNova Saturday in Myakka.
Photo by Jay Heater
Michigan's Robin Walker makes a big splash aboard Cappog Ferro Royale during the cross country portion of The Event at TerraNova.
Photo by Jay Heater
D'Wild Expectation muscles over a jump with Ocala's Elizabeth Pagan aboard during the cross country event on Saturday.
Photo by Jay Heater
Canada's Katie Malensek sits chilly on STX Mex as they go over a jump.
Photo by Jay Heater
Georgia's Donna Miller is the picture of concentration as she guides Coud'Poker over a jump into the water on Saturday during the cross country event.
Photo by Jay Heater
Vermont's Anna Loschiavo rides Fernhill Maverick during Saturday's cross country action at TerraNova Equestrian Center in Myakka.
Photo by Jay Heater
Quality Explosion explodes over a fallen tree jump with Janelle Fleming riding at TerraNova on Saturday.
Photo by Jay Heater
The beauty of both the competitors and the course were on display in 2023 during the cross country event of The Event at TerraNova. Katie Malensek of Canada rides Cheerio.
Photo by Jay Heater
Victoria Sudkamp and Woodstock Rio glide above the ground at the TerraNova Equestrian Center on Saturday.
Photo by Jay Heater
Australia's Hugh Wrigley is 59 but still going strong aboard Santos in The Event at TerraNova on Saturday.
Photo by Jay Heater
Hayden Wathen of Auburn University zips past on Contestor during The Event at TerraNova.
Photo by Jay Heater
Georgia's Lauren New negotiates a jump aboard Flying Again during The Event at TerraNova.
Photo by Jay Heater
Georgia's Sallie Johnson and Ado Rock launch into the air to easily clear a jump on the cross country course during The Event at TerraNova.
Photo by Jay Heater
New Zealand's Joe Meyer and Chilli Dawn slosh through the water on the cross country course during The Event at TerraNova.
Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.
