Editing Three Rivers Paintball (section)

== History ==

=== Establishment ===

Three Rivers Paintball was established by Ryan Krischke and several associates during the early development of commercial paintball in the United States.

In a 2011 interview with ''[[WARPIG]]'', [[Debra Dion Krischke]] recalled that her husband and friends began operating the business in 1982. She described it as one of the earliest fields associated with [[National Survival Game]], the company involved in commercialising paintball during the sport's formative years.[4]

The facility's official website, however, identifies 1983 as its establishment year. The precise opening date is therefore inconsistently documented.[5]

Ryan and Debra Krischke subsequently operated the facility together. Their involvement in tournament organisation also established Three Rivers Paintball as a venue for national competition.

=== International Amateur Open ===

Three Rivers Paintball became closely associated with the International Amateur Open, an annual competition established by Debra Dion Krischke in 1990.

Originally known as the National Amateur Open, the event was organised by Team Effort Events and developed into a major gathering for amateur tournament players, equipment manufacturers and paintball businesses.[2]

During the 1990s, the tournament used the venue's wooded playing fields, alongside constructed concept fields introduced for selected divisions.

The event also incorporated trade exhibitions, industry conferences and equipment demonstrations.

By 2001, the competition had outgrown the available space at Three Rivers Paintball. Additional land was required for parking, while the growing number of exhibitors required larger facilities.

For 2002, the International Amateur Open relocated to the Big Butler Fairgrounds, where competition shifted towards purpose-built concept fields.[2]

=== 2000 Spyder Cup ===

On 27–28 May 2000, Three Rivers Paintball hosted the inaugural [[Spyder Cup]], organised by [[Kingman International]] in cooperation with Team Effort Events.

The amateur five-player tournament attracted 99 teams competing exclusively with mechanically operated [[Spyder]] markers.

The competition offered prizes valued at more than US$117,000, including five Ford Mustang cars for the winning team.

[[KAPP Factory]] won the tournament, finishing ahead of [[Strange]], OBR I and Machine.

The event received contemporary coverage from ''WARPIG'', which documented the competition, participating teams and final results.[3]

=== Return of the International Amateur Open ===

In 2006, the International Amateur Open returned to Three Rivers Paintball under the name '''Three Rivers Paintball Festival'''.

The event marked a return to the woodland playing environment associated with its earlier history.

According to the ''Pittsburgh Post-Gazette'', approximately 1,500 competitors attended the five-day festival, which included tournament competition, scenario paintball and commercial exhibitors.

The event occupied approximately 70 acres and provided camping facilities and other activities alongside the competition.[6]

The 2006 event was the final edition of the International Amateur Open.[4]