United States Eventing Association

Chris grew up in England and learned to ride at the age of 8. Growing up with horses and ponies in his family Chris started his British Horse Society training at the prestigious Gleneagles Equestrian Center in Perthshire Scotland. In 1994 Chris moved to the United States and continued his equestrian career at the Millbrook Equestrian Center in Millbrook NY as a trainer and rider. Taking his love of riding into many equestrian disciplines including successfully showing on the “A” show circuit in the jumper ring, eventing through the Preliminary level, fox hunting with the Millbrook Hunt and competing in the dressage arena.

Chris is a FEI Level 2 Jumper Course Designer and a USEF “R” licensed show jumping course designer. He continues to design courses up to the Grand Prix level for numerous top rated USEF jumper shows including The World Equestrian Center - Ocala and The Venice Equestrian Tour - Venice, FL as well as course designing many national and FEI events including The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI 4* Morven Park CCI 4* Tryon International Fall CCI 4* Great Meadow International CCI 4* Stable View CCI 4* among many others and he has designed for The North American Eventing Young Rider Championships in 2016, 2017 & 2018 as well as the 2017 American Eventing Championships.

Chris assisted British FEI course designer Richard Jeffery at the National Horse Show and also at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, Canadian FEI course designer Danny Foster at numerous top level “A” rated horse shows and more recently Portugal’s FEI course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral at some of the top international jumper shows in the USA.

Now a U.S. citizen, Chris now bases full time in Florida with his show jumping wife Justine Dutton at their farm in Reddick, Florida. Chris is busy course designing and also designing, constructing and selling his own line of aluminum show jumps.

Amy Gibbs is a licensed physical therapist with 19 years of experience helping patients in a variety of settings from Orthopedics, chronic pain, and women’s health. A lifelong rider, she merged her love of riding with physical therapy and founded Be Balanced Physical Therapy, PLLC.

This equestrian focused specialization allows her to help riders improve performance, reduce pain and injuries and increased safety in the saddle by addressing their biomechanics. By working with Amy, riders improve fitness, body awareness, and their position in the saddle, giving them more effective aids, longevity, and better communication with their horse. Amy is certified in Hippotherapy Level 1, FMS (functional movement screening) and Testtä Method which have provided tools to hone her specialized skills. Her love for teaching has allowed her to guest lecture at WSU, USU the National Athletic Trainer’s Association Conference, USEA Area VII, and various other local organizations. Her current work included a research study for screening equestrian athletes for potential injury risks so they can be addressed to prevent future injuries and improve rider safety.

Keli Warrington was a very accomplished gymnast, who was nationally ranked for over 10 years, and recently received the U100 certification in gymnastics. Before shifting her focus to eventing, Keli graduated from West Chester University with a degree in business management. She has served as a rider and groom for top riders such as Jane Sleeper and Stuart Black, and she has ridden through the CCI* level. Keli has spent the last 10 years as owner/operator and business manager of Warrington Eventing. Keli’s passion for gymnastics and love for equestrian sports has made this an amazing opportunity to combine both skills and create a program that supersedes expectation. In her own riding career, she has on many occasions seen the benefits of body awareness through the use of basic gymnastics skills. Her ability to “stick the landing” has been admired by many a fellow rider!

Danny Warrington is a former leading steeplechase jockey turned international advanced three-day eventer. He has spent most of his life learning from the best. In his racing years, he spent time with hall of fame trainers Johnathan Sheppard and Mikey Smithwick as well as Janet Elliot. When it came to eventing the same approach was taken, riding only with the best including Bruce Davidson, Karen O'Connor, Jimmy Wofford and Phillip Dutton. This gave him the comprehensive education becoming not a 'jockey' or an 'eventer' but a horseman. A deep passion for safety and personal responsibility has lead him to this point. Growing up with a fox hunting and racing back ground as well as an ex-marine father, he learned the hard way. Danny’s goal is to bring riders as much knowledge in self-preservation as possible in a safe and controlled environment. He has spent years watching, studying and developing an understanding of riders’ reactions, both instinctual and learned, this gives him the ability to teach what is missing between reaction and response.

Louise ‘Lou’ Leslie has over 30 years of involvement with USEA. She competes her event horses from the grassroots to FEI levels as each develops into their best potential. From ECP (formerly ICP) Workshops and Assessments to USEA Foundation Grants, Louise spear heads many educational and grant opportunities for the event community with involvement of the many USEA committees. From the local Area councils to National committees, the combined background of 12 years’ experience on the Board of Governors and the USEA Foundation, her tenure as USEA President will incorporate many of the Strategic Planning committee principles; taking care of the membership experience and remaining diligent to eventing sport safety.

Louise resides in Redmond, Washington with her husband, Neil, and two sons, Alexander, and Broderick.  Her backyard barn is filled with competition horses of a variety of eventing experiences: Souvenir a 16-year-old, Irish Sport Horse, is based in Maryland, to gain the East Coast experience;  Cnick Cnack JJM, a 7-year-old Hanoverian is continuing to progress up the appropriate levels, based on time allowed away from the busy President schedule; and Twenty-Two Deal, a 4-year-old, OTTB, is the new addition from Emerald Downs Racetrack. As always, I still look forward to serving US Eventing to its best potential and keep on, kicking on!

Cindy Deporter has been a member of the USEA since 1977.  She is a USEF Licensed Official (TD and Judge), FEI Level 3 Technical Delegate, and a FEI Level 2 Judge. She is an amateur rider and this year. She retired from the State of North Carolina as the State Agency Director in 2021 after 32 years of service.  Cindy has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is the Chair of the USEA Licensed Officials Committee and a member of the USEA Competitions Scheduling Committee. She lives in Oxford, North Carolina, with her two donkeys, three horses, four dogs, cat, pet pig, and her longtime significant other, Herb.

Tim Murray grew up fox hunting in Hamilton, Mass. and began eventing in 1970. He has competed through the Intermediate level, but for the last 10 years has focused his riding efforts at buying and retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds. As his interest in competing diminished, Murray became involved as an eventing official. He obtained his “r” Technical Delegate (TD) license in 2013 and his “R” TD license in 2016. He recently passed his examination to become a FEI TD. Murray has also been active in the administrative side of the sport, serving six years on the USEA Board of Governors and six years as a trustee of the USEA Endowment Trust (now USEA Foundation). For 10 years he co-chaired the USEA Young Riders Committee.

Wayne Quarles had a passion for horses from a very young age, but being from a non-horsey family he had to be content with occasional rides at a hack stable until he saved enough money to buy HIS first horse when he was 15. After that his primary education was from riding for a local sales barn and started riding problem horses for people. While his initial education was in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage became a passion after going to see the Spanish Riding School when they performed in Washington DC when he was 16. Eventing happened later in his career when coaching Dressage and Jumping for the local Pony Club. They needed a XC coach to prepare for their regional rally and since he knew how to ride on terrain from Hunting, he stepped in and has been involved ever since.

Wayne holds the following licenses: FEI “I” Eventing Judge and Technical Delegate, FEI Level 2 Steward, USEF Registered (“R”) judge for Dressage and Senior (”S”) Judge and Technical Delegate for Eventing, plus USEF Recorded “r” Connemara judge.

He has served on several USEA and USEF Committees and currently serves as a member of the USEA Licensed Officials Committee and is on his second term on the USEA Board of Governors. He occasionally finds time to compete in dressage and eventing with his fifth generation homebred.

Yvonne is a trial lawyer, transactions attorney, and certified mediator who practices in the areas of equine law, employment law, and commercial litigation. Yvonne’s equine law experience includes handling litigation and transactions involving the Equine Activity Liability Act and various other state and federal laws affecting equine industry activities. She assists individual horse owners, trainers, breeders, facilities, veterinarians and others in the equine industry litigate and resolve claims for personal injury, property damage, and other losses caused by allegations of negligence, breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation and other legal issues. She also drafts contracts for horse purchases, sales, and leases, assists with negotiating and drafting employment and independent contractor agreements for equine industry workers, and creates equine liability releases for horse owners, trainers, breeders, facilities, veterinarians, transporters and other individuals and entities sponsoring or participating in equine activities. She also has extensive experience developing multi-owner syndicates for horses in numerous disciplines, including eventing, dressage, and jumpers, as well as creating stallion and mare breeding syndicates. The syndicates completed to date range from several owners to multiple owners, range in value from $5,000 to $850,000 in value, and vary from very young horses beginning their training to mature horses competing at the highest levels of their sport.  Yvonne speaks extensively on the topic of equine law to national and local organizations and competes in Eventing for Area III.

Gail spent her first couple of years on a cattle ranch, driving the tractor while her dad fed, starting at 3 years old. On the trusted old mare “Blackie” she helped herd. She has managed dressage shows since 1986 and competed on her Lipizzaner stallion “Nate”, who was many times national champion Lipizzaner. She volunteered for Cindy Burge at Deep Creek until that event ended. For the past ten years she has been working with Spokane Sport Horse as volunteer coordinator for both spring and fall events. She is an active volunteer both regionally and nationally. Gail has served on the USEA Volunteer Committee for several years.

Cindy Deporter has been a member of the USEA since 1977.  She is a USEF Licensed Official (TD and Judge), FEI Level 3 Technical Delegate, and a FEI Level 2 Judge. She is an amateur rider and this year. She retired from the State of North Carolina as the State Agency Director in 2021 after 32 years of service.  Cindy has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is the Chair of the USEA Licensed Officials Committee and a member of the USEA Competitions Scheduling Committee. She lives in Oxford, North Carolina, with her two donkeys, three horses, four dogs, cat, pet pig, and her longtime significant other, Herb.

Tim Murray grew up fox hunting in Hamilton, Mass. and began eventing in 1970. He has competed through the Intermediate level, but for the last 10 years has focused his riding efforts at buying and retraining off-the-track Thoroughbreds. As his interest in competing diminished, Murray became involved as an eventing official. He obtained his “r” Technical Delegate (TD) license in 2013 and his “R” TD license in 2016. He recently passed his examination to become a FEI TD. Murray has also been active in the administrative side of the sport, serving six years on the USEA Board of Governors and six years as a trustee of the USEA Endowment Trust (now USEA Foundation). For 10 years he co-chaired the USEA Young Riders Committee.

Marilyn Payne, FEI Eventing Judge and USEF Senior Dressage Judge, is a distinguished breeder of horses for eventing and dressage, as well as a trainer, competitor, and international judge. She judges eventing around the country and abroad, and was a member of the Ground Jury for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong and 2010 WEG. She also judges dressage competitions through the Grand Prix level throughout the U.S. Marilyn is leading the USEA program for educating judges about evaluating young horses, and presented a popular seminar on how young horses are judged at the 2008 AEC. Marilyn resides with her husband Dick at their Applewood Farm in Califon, New Jersey. Their children, Doug and Holly, have followed in their mother’s footsteps and are successful competitors and trainers in their own right.

Wayne Quarles had a passion for horses from a very young age, but being from a non-horsey family he had to be content with occasional rides at a hack stable until he saved enough money to buy HIS first horse when he was 15. After that his primary education was from riding for a local sales barn and started riding problem horses for people. While his initial education was in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage became a passion after going to see the Spanish Riding School when they performed in Washington DC when he was 16. Eventing happened later in his career when coaching Dressage and Jumping for the local Pony Club. They needed a XC coach to prepare for their regional rally and since he knew how to ride on terrain from Hunting, he stepped in and has been involved ever since.

Wayne holds the following licenses: FEI “I” Eventing Judge and Technical Delegate, FEI Level 2 Steward, USEF Registered (“R”) judge for Dressage and Senior (”S”) Judge and Technical Delegate for Eventing, plus USEF Recorded “r” Connemara judge.

He has served on several USEA and USEF Committees and currently serves as a member of the USEA Licensed Officials Committee and is on his second term on the USEA Board of Governors. He occasionally finds time to compete in dressage and eventing with his fifth generation homebred.

Robert Winter has been working at the USEA as the lead Web Developer and IT Project Manager since 2005, and then as the Director of Information Technology since 2008. He has been responsible for directing the technology efforts in transitioning the USEA’s core business services to the web over the last ten years. This transition includes the development of USEA Online Services website platform for delivering services such as member, horse, competition, and education management, Xentry, and Eventing USA online. Robert prides himself on staying up-to-date on development, security, and system trends in preparation for implementing the next generation of technology at the USEA.

Molly is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma and earned her BS in Finance from Boston College. She worked in Treasury Management and Hospitality Services Management before she and her husband, Hank had their 4 children. Since then, she has worked for and served on many Non-Profit Boards, including The Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation, YWCA, Tulsa Zoo Management, Tulsa Community Foundation, Route 66 Marathon, Monte Cassino School, National Charity League and Pony Club. She became involved in Eventing when they moved from Oklahoma to Orange County, California in 2014 and her 10 year old daughter changed from the Hunter/Jumper discipline and fell in love with Eventing, spending 6 years training with Lisa and Brian Sabo and being active in Newport Mesa Pony Club. She was an active volunteer at West Coast events, and she served on the Area 6 Council as Young Rider Representative until the family moved to Pennsylvania in 2020. They have since built a farm in Malvern, PA and enjoy traveling to and volunteering at competitions up and down the East Coast.

Gretchen Butts has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing, as well as a Master of Arts in Management/Human Resources and spent 25 years as an Adult/Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner while gaining her vast experience in eventing. Gretchen's equestrian experience is broad – she is an eventing competitor through the International Long Format Four-star level, Event Organizer at Waredaca since 1979, Level 3 FEI International Event Technical Delegate and Eventing Judge, USEF Equestrian Eventing “S” Technical Delegate and Eventing Judge, past member of the USEA Board of Governors and Vice President of Education, Chief Jump Judge for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, International Technical Official at the 2008 Olympic Games, Assistant Technical Delegate for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, contributing author to Eventing USA, and past educational consultant to the Association. Gretchen is also a Level 3 ICP certified instructor and sits on several key U.S. Equestrian Federation and U.S. Eventing Association committees.  

In her spare time, she is a long-distance runner, avid sailor on the Chesapeake and alpine hiker with husband, Robert.  They have two daughters. Steph is an ICP Level 2 instructor and graduate ‘A’ Pony Clubber with experience through the three-star level, a part of the Waredaca staff, competition organizer and business team, and co-owner of the Waredaca Brewing Company. Her younger sister, Devon, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy currently practicing in Chicago.  And has 4 fabulous dogs—2 Border Terriers and 2 German Shepherds.

Born into an eventing and fox hunting family, Chris lives in Northern Virginia with her spouse, adult child, and mother with a few horses in the backyard. She works for the Cherokee Nation as an Enterprise Architect on Federal Government Contracts. Chris has been active with the USEA affiliate Maryland Combined Training Association since the late 70s, holding various roles including Organizer of their Horse Trials. She also has remained actively involved with the USPC and USEA.

Chris competed through the Intermediate level. She currently serves on a multitude of USEA Committees and task forces such as ones for the Interscholastic Eventing League, Young Riders, Classic Three-Day, and ShowConnect.

Sharon White is an international CCI5* three-day eventing rider, trainer, and Level 4 USEA ECP Certified Coach based at Last Frontier Farm in Summit Point, West Virginia. During the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, Sharon represented the US Eventing Team with Claus 63 her own 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Catoo x Levisto) where they placed 10^th overall.

Sharon’s brilliant career includes over 10 visits to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (formerly known as Rolex Kentucky) with five different horses. She has also traveled overseas to contest CCI5* events at Lühmuhlen (France) and Les Etoiles de Pau (France) as well as CCI4* events at Boekelo (Netherlands) and Hartpury (United Kingdom). Sharon has represented the US in FEI Eventing Nations Cup competitions and was a reserve for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.

Janet Gunn is a founding member of Commonwealth Dressage and Combined Training Association (CDCTA) in Northern Virginia, serving on the Board of Directors as Treasurer, Budget Chair, and Secretary. She was organizer of the original CDCTA Spring Horse Trials at Commonwealth Park and has been involved as rider, volunteer, coordinator, or official in almost every CDCTA horse trial. Janet has been CDCTA’s Affiliate Representative to USEA since 2004, and is also the Affiliate Coordinator for both Area II and USEA, where she is on the Membership Development Committee. A licensed “r” Eventing TD, Janet keeps her horses at home.

James (Jim) Wolf was born in Nuremburg, Germany and raised in Elkins, West Virginia. He graduated with honors from Bethany College with a BA degree in history. Over the course of his career in equestrian sport he has been a wrangler, groom, fox hunter, eventing competitor, administrator, event organizer and marketing and sponsorship executive. Jim has served as the USET Director of Eventing, USEF Executive Director and Chef d’Mission for the US Equestrian Team at numerous Olympic, Pan American and World Equestrian Games. He has been involved in the organization of many international events including World Equestrian Games, three day events, horse trials and show jumping competitions. He is currently the President of Wolf Sports Group. Jim lives with his wife, former international eventing competitor and US Team rider, Dr. Molly Bliss and their daughter Josselyn Wolf at their home in Barrington, RI.

Hannah Diebold of Bates Saddles is passionate about sharing her knowledge on how the fit and balance of a saddle affect the horse’s comfort and rider performance.

Sharyn has played an active role in US Eventing for the last 25 years. She is the secretary and co-organizer for the Millbrook Horse Trials (NY) and is also the event secretary for the Carolina International (NC). In addition to her organizing roles, Sharyn also holds a USEF ‘R’ Eventing Technical Delegate license.

Sharyn’s involvement on various USEA and USEF committees has grown over the last few years. After being involved with the USEA Area I Council from 2004 through 2021, she joined the USEA Board of Governors as the VP of Competitions in December 2021. She is also a member of the USEF Eventing Sport Committee and more recently the Chair of the USEF Strategic Calendar Review Task Force.

Sharyn’s day-to day work involves working as the Executive Director of the American Horse Trials Foundation [AHTF] and works at the Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center as the Events Manager.

Sharyn was born and raised on her parents’ farm in Southwick MA where she lives today with her own family. She attended Midway College in KY, where she first found her passion for Eventing. Sharyn spent many years in the saddle, both competitively and for pleasure. However, in her free time she enjoys spending it with her two children, Jacob, and Samantha. They are avid fans of all things outdoors, including skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.

Morgan is a leading licensed cross-country course designer and builder. He currently works with some of the most important U.S. competitive events and equestrian training facilities. Morgan began his career working for – and then alongside – many of the most respected names in the cross-country world, including John Williams, Mark Phillips, Mike Etherington- Smith, Tommy Brennan and Tremaine Cooper. Having learned the ropes from the best, Morgan went on to complete the rigorous intellectual and practical accreditations necessary to becoming an independent designer. Now successful in his own right, his experience includes projects in the U.S., Ireland and Latin America. Morgan is also an experienced equestrian, who enjoys eventing, foxhunting, polo and show jumping. He is married to Virginia Jenkins Rowsell, an Advanced Rider and former United States Equestrian Team (USET) competitor. They live with their two children in New Jersey.

Siobhan has ridden and competed in Eventing for over 25 years. Siobhan competed throughout the United States, attending several AEC and FEI competitions and was 2011 Area V Preliminary Champion. She has ridden multiple horses from Beginner Novice through Intermediate and produced her horse, Hoodwink to Intermediate before selling him to a young rider for NAYC. Siobhan was United States Eventing Association (USEA) Area V Chairperson for two terms, managing the calendar, communicating with organizers and competitors, and representing the Area to the National organization. Siobhan is a USEA ECP certified coach with over 12 years of experience training beginner through Preliminary riders.

Prior to horses, Siobhan worked in Canada and the US with several companies including Microsoft. After leaving Microsoft she started OnTrack Imaging to bring innovative imaging technologies to the equine market. Siobhan is truly able to identify with the adult amateur competitor. She has had a lifetime love of horses but wasn’t able to seriously immerse herself into riding until she was an adult. As Malcom Gladwell writes in Outliers, it takes 10,000 hours to become expert at something. In an obsessive fashion, Siobhan put in her 10,000 hours and now derives pleasure from bringing horses into the lives of others.

She has owned and managed boarding and training facilities in Flower Mound since 2002.  Siobhan opened Horselife Farm in Bartonville, TX in 2019. Horselife Farm is an 18 acre eventing farm including beginner through preliminary horse and riders.

Siobhan also has three children and a supportive husband, all of whom are involved on the Farm.

Marilyn Payne, FEI Eventing Judge and USEF Senior Dressage Judge, is a distinguished breeder of horses for eventing and dressage, as well as a trainer, competitor, and international judge. She judges eventing around the country and abroad, and was a member of the Ground Jury for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong and 2010 WEG. She also judges dressage competitions through the Grand Prix level throughout the U.S. Marilyn is leading the USEA program for educating judges about evaluating young horses, and presented a popular seminar on how young horses are judged at the 2008 AEC. Marilyn resides with her husband Dick at their Applewood Farm in Califon, New Jersey. Their children, Doug and Holly, have followed in their mother’s footsteps and are successful competitors and trainers in their own right.

Dr. Lois James is the Assistant Dean of Research in the Washington State University (WSU) College of Nursing, where she focuses on the impact of bias, sleep loss, fatigue, and stress on performance and wellness in professional groups such as police officers, health care personnel, and elite athletes. She has received multiple honors and awards for her work and is internationally recognized as a leading expert in her field. She is the incoming director of WSU’s world-renowned Sleep and Performance Research Center (SPRC). She is also the founding director of Counter Bias Training Simulation (CBTsim), a novel and innovative simulation-based anti-bias training program that has been featured in National Geographic and the feature-length documentary “bias.” Based in Spokane, WA, Lois is a USEA Area VII competitor and trainer in the Leading Edge Equestrian Center, which specializes in developing eventers, hunters, and jumpers.

Molly is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma and earned her BS in Finance from Boston College. She worked in Treasury Management and Hospitality Services Management before she and her husband, Hank had their 4 children. Since then, she has worked for and served on many Non-Profit Boards, including The Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation, YWCA, Tulsa Zoo Management, Tulsa Community Foundation, Route 66 Marathon, Monte Cassino School, National Charity League and Pony Club. She became involved in Eventing when they moved from Oklahoma to Orange County, California in 2014 and her 10 year old daughter changed from the Hunter/Jumper discipline and fell in love with Eventing, spending 6 years training with Lisa and Brian Sabo and being active in Newport Mesa Pony Club. She was an active volunteer at West Coast events, and she served on the Area 6 Council as Young Rider Representative until the family moved to Pennsylvania in 2020. They have since built a farm in Malvern, PA and enjoy traveling to and volunteering at competitions up and down the East Coast.

Dr. Revenaugh is an Illinois native who has worked with and ridden horses all his life. Mark graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991, followed by an 18 month Internship at Arizona Equine Medical and Surgical Center. From there he worked for one year near Chicago before being recruited to work with Dr. Brendan Furlong just outside of Gladstone, NJ in 1994 in their full-service “cutting-edge” equine medical and surgical facility.

In 2002, Dr. Revenaugh and his wife Chris needed a change of scenery, leading them to start Northwest Equine Performance, a new Equine Sports Medicine and imaging exclusive practice outside Portland Oregon. Over the past 20+ years, the practice has grown, and recently Dr. Revenaugh partnered with Dr. Rachel Gottlieb to form Seattle Equine Performance. There is great pride throughout the entire group in the work they do and the dedication to helping horses and clients reach their potential.

Dr. Revenaugh has been a popular speaker in both professional and non-professional venues. He is also the co-founder of “Ignite” (EHPSG), a group of highly qualified professionals dedicated to exploring how to improve equestrian sports outcomes using cutting edge resources. The Ignite group advocates steering the horse industry toward applying principles from human sport over to equestrians (www.igniteforequineathletes.com). Dr. Revenaugh is FEI accredited, has served on numerous committees, panels and most recently, joined the National Cutting Horse welfare committee.

The entire team is dedicated to using their experience, knowledge and passion to help our clients and patients.

Jennifer is an equine veterinarian from Arizona. She has bred, trained, and evented her own horses and is an active competitor. She officiates as an Eventing FEI Veterinarian and annually volunteers as a veterinarian at the Kentucky Three-Day Event. She has been Canada’s Team Veterinarian for eventing, dressage and Para Dressage at various Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games and Pan American Games. Jennifer currently chairs the USEA Equine Safety and Welfare Committee.

Danny Warrington is a former leading steeplechase jockey turned international advanced three-day eventer. He has spent most of his life learning from the best. In his racing years, he spent time with hall of fame trainers Johnathan Sheppard and Mikey Smithwick as well as Janet Elliot. When it came to eventing the same approach was taken, riding only with the best including Bruce Davidson, Karen O'Connor, Jimmy Wofford and Phillip Dutton. This gave him the comprehensive education becoming not a 'jockey' or an 'eventer' but a horseman. A deep passion for safety and personal responsibility has lead him to this point. Growing up with a fox hunting and racing back ground as well as an ex-marine father, he learned the hard way. Danny’s goal is to bring riders as much knowledge in self-preservation as possible in a safe and controlled environment. He has spent years watching, studying and developing an understanding of riders’ reactions, both instinctual and learned, this gives him the ability to teach what is missing between reaction and response.

Rusty Lowe, NRP (AL) is Safety Coordinator/Medical Officer for several events in the US and was Medical Safety Officer for the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon. As a past member and Chair/Vice-Chair of the USEA and USEF Safety Committees he worked with other committees and organizations to improve safety within the sport such as improved rider safety equipment, increased medical care requirements for events, concussion management and ICP first aid/CPR training standards. Rusty has been a Firefighter/Nationally Registered Paramedic for 40 years including 30 at the Hoover, AL Fire Department where he retired in 2018 as EMS Captain and Public Information Officer and EMS Instructor at Jefferson State Community College. He works now as an ALS Specialist for Go Rescue Brands, Paramedic for Tide EMS at Bryant-Denny Stadium (Roll Tide!) and resides in Birmingham, AL.

Marc is an experienced event rider who has competed through the CCI4* and Advanced levels of Eventing. Marc demands excellence from his riders while still maintaining encouraging and horse-friendly approaches to his teaching. He specializes in starting young horses under saddle and introducing them to Eventing as confident, happy partners. He is a graduate A pony clubber and an ECP Level 3 Certified Coach. He is licensed to design cross country courses through Intermediate level.

Amy Gibbs is a licensed physical therapist with 19 years of experience helping patients in a variety of settings from Orthopedics, chronic pain, and women’s health. A lifelong rider, she merged her love of riding with physical therapy and founded Be Balanced Physical Therapy, PLLC.

This equestrian focused specialization allows her to help riders improve performance, reduce pain and injuries and increased safety in the saddle by addressing their biomechanics. By working with Amy, riders improve fitness, body awareness, and their position in the saddle, giving them more effective aids, longevity, and better communication with their horse. Amy is certified in Hippotherapy Level 1, FMS (functional movement screening) and Testtä Method which have provided tools to hone her specialized skills. Her love for teaching has allowed her to guest lecture at WSU, USU the National Athletic Trainer’s Association Conference, USEA Area VII, and various other local organizations. Her current work included a research study for screening equestrian athletes for potential injury risks so they can be addressed to prevent future injuries and improve rider safety.

Born in England in 1965, Robin Walker has been involved with horses his entire life. Following extensive competition and training experience in the United Kingdom, Robin migrated to the United States in 1996 and gained his official citizenship in 2011. Robin is an active competitor in eventing, as well as competing in Grand Prix jumping events on the East Coast. A strong believer in educating the next generation of equestrians, Robin was one of the founding forces of the ECP (formerly, ICP) and currently resides as both an ECP Faculty member and an ECP Assessor. Robin was certified as a Level V ECP Certified Coach in 2003. He runs a sport horse breeding and training program out of his home base, Maute House Farm, in Grass Lake, Mich. and moves his operation to Ocala, Fla. during the winter.

A career equestrian, Jennifer began riding at age five just outside of Montreal, Canada. Her first experiences with horses included competing at Nationally rated hunter/jumper shows, fox hunting, and ultimately achieving her “A” Pony Club rating. It was through Pony Club that she was first introduced to the sport of Eventing at age 13.

Jennifer’s early career, in addition to her steadfast commitment to competing in and training riders for Eventing, included working for a top hunter/jumper trainer, riding competitively for a big dressage training barn, and starting young Thoroughbreds for the track. Along with these varied positions came the opportunity to groom at an Olympic training camp, and serve as a veterinarian’s assistant at the 1976 Olympic Games; all formative experiences which only served to galvanize her quest to participate in the sport at the highest levels. 

After spending a year in New Zealand riding jumpers and event horses, she returned to the Montreal area and developed an active Eventing training business which grew, as the sport grew, through the 1980s and early 90s. Her special interest lay with developing Young Riders, several of whom represented her home province of Quebec at the NAYRC.

She was recruited in 1992 to manage a private equestrian estate in Northern Illinois and immigrated to the United States. She spent her first ten years there developing a private breeding/training program and starting a family of her own. Once that project was well-established, she began building an active teaching and training program under her own business banner, L’Esprit Equestrian, LLC. In the summer of 2020, L’Esprit Equestrian relocated to the beautiful Jigsaw Farms in Woodstock, Illinois, where they have been hard at work developing a top-quality Eventing and cross-country training facility.

Jennifer is a USEA ECP Level IV Certified Coach, serves on the USEA ECP committee and chaired the committee which produced the USEA Eventing By the Levels Handbook. Recently awarded the Going Forward Grant for licensed officials funded by the Broussard Family Trust, she has successfully completed the requirements to become a “r” Eventing judge. Her interest in developing Young Riders has continued to inspire and produce riders competing at the NAJYRC, and in 2017 she served as the Young Rider coach for Area IV riders, winning the Team Gold Medal in the NAYRC 2* (now 3*) competition. L’Esprit Equestrian continues to flourish as a top Eventing training program, producing riders and horses through all levels of competition, including fielding 11 riders for the 2023 American Eventing Championships. 

Mary D’Arcy is a Level V coach, faculty member and assessor for the Eventing Coaches Program, (ECP, formerly ICP). She is also a British Horse Society Instructor. She coaches riders in eventing from Beginner Novice to Advanced as well as riders at all levels in show jumping and dressage. Her achievements include Irish Eventing Team Coach for the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Coached individuals at the Atlanta Olympic Games 1996. Coached Gold Medal Irish Young Rider 3 Day Event Team, European Championships, Achwelswang, Germany, in 1995. She has coached at World and European Championships and at all the major international events. Mary has recently completed the USCCE Coach Certification Training.

Two-time Equestrian of the Year and only the fourth American to win Individual Gold in Equestrian sport, David O’Connor’s success has made him a living legend. His Individual Gold medal in Sydney was won with the best score in Olympic history, and in a four year span he won medals at the Pan American Games, the Olympic Games, and the World Championships.

An integral part of the U.S. Eventing program for nearly two decades as an athlete; O’Connor has grown even more prolific since his retirement in 2004. He was the president of the United States Equestrian Federation (the National Governing Body of Sport), chairs the eventing committee for the FEI (the International Governing Body of Sport). He teaches dozens of students and continues to train young horses. Wife Karen, who was also a member of five Olympic Teams, is A Pan American Gold Medalist and together they have built an empire in the sport. They are the only husband and wife team in history to have been on two Olympic medal winning teams together.

O’Connor’s commitment to the Olympic movement is evident on every level, from teaching and training young horses and riders to designing competition courses. But it is his governance and the vision he has had for the NGB and the sport that put him in elite company. His dedication to youth, building programs and guiding our high-performance programs is second to none.

As president of the United States Equestrian Federation, David O’Connor served as the official spokesperson of the Federation on all matters relating to its governance and direction. In addition, the president serves as the lead executive and administrator of Board of Director meetings; provides services as a liaison between the numerable directors of the breeds and disciplines that, together, form the Federation; and provides guidance in relation to establishing and enforcing policies set forth by the rules and regulations of the Federation.

As a lead spokesperson for the Federation both nationally and internationally, O’Connor lends his expertise and skill as one of the United States most decorated and respected equestrian athletes. His extensive knowledge of the political realm of the sport, coupled with his years spent as an athlete, affords him a unique perspective on the inner workings of equestrian sport and its governance.

Through O’Connor’s leadership as Head coach of the Canadian Eventing Team 2005-2012, Team Canada won silver at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and numerous medals at international team competitions including the 2007 and 2011 Pan American Games. O’Connor’s coaching style stresses correct fundamentals and a classical approach that leads to competitive success. O’Connor went on to coach the USA Team from 2012-2017 to medals in the Pan AM Games and Olympic Games

David has rejoined the USEF as Chief of Sport starting in 2022 a new position in the USEF staffing plan. His extensive knowledge and long-range planning in all aspects of equestrian sport will drive and implement the strategic plan for the USEF for years to come.

Emily Mastervich Beshear is a Level V ECP Certified Coach, ECP Committee and ECP Faculty member. As a rider she has competed through the 5* Level and operates Deep Purple Eventing in Somerset, VA where the focus is on training horses and riders from the Starter level through Advanced. Coaching highlights include regional clinician for the new EA 21 program and coaching several successful Young Rider Teams including helping Area 8 achieve their first Team Gold Medal in 2019.

Bec grew up in Australia producing and competing horses up through the 5* level, competing at Adelaide CCI5*L at age 20. In 2008 she relocated to the United States starting out at Phillip Dutton's before moving to California's Central Coast. Since then, she has had great success in various FEI competitions across the US and internationally including Kentucky 5* in 2024 and was selected to represent Australia at CHIO Aachen in 2023 and again at the Nations Cup at Haras de Jardy. Bec represented Australia at the Young Rider Trans-Tasman Championships in 1998, 2000, and 2002. She was selected to compete in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Test Event and has ridden at numerous CCI****’s in Australia. Bec is a USEA ECP level V certified instructor and coached the Area VI Young Riders and NAYC Eventing Team in 2017, 2018 and 2019. She is based out of Twin Rivers Ranch, Paso Robles CA.

Jan's primary focus is selecting, training, and competing event horses. She owns and manages Surefire Farm, a busy lesson, sales and training business in Purcellville, Va. and actively competes at all levels of eventing. Consistently a top ranked international rider, Jan’s career highlights include representing the U.S. at the Pan American Championships, where she won team gold and individual bronze, being a member of the Aachen World Equestrian Games squad, competing on U.S. Equestrian teams at Malmo, Sweden and Luhmuhlen, Germany, and being selected as a team alternate for the Athens Olympics. Jan also has numerous top ten placings at Rolex Kentucky, Foxhall, Jersey Fresh, Bromont and Morven Park CCIs, and won the 2013 USEF National 3-star Championship at Fair Hill. In addition, she has competed at Burghley, Badminton and Blenheim in England and Pau in France.

Jan is active in the United States Eventing Association as an advisor to the Young Riders and Juniors Committee, is a Level IV ECP Certified Coach, serves on the United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Sport Committee as an Elected Athlete and in 2017 was named a USEF Eventing Selector.

Outside of horses, Jan relaxes by running, hiking, skiing, playing tennis and volleyball, and spending time with her long-time boyfriend, Tom Finnen, and their dogs Tali and Otis.

Heather Gillette is an eventer through and through.  A current competitor at the 4* level with her own Off the Track Thoroughbred Vincent Chase as well as a USEF  Licensed Eventing Dressage Judge and Technical Delegate.  Owner of Heron's Landing Eventing which is a small boarding and training facility based in Tewksbury, NJ.  Finally, she is the Co-Founder of Strides for Equality Equestrians, SEE, and considers that her most important contribution to the sport of Eventing and Equestrianism as a whole.  

Anastasia (“Stacy”) Curwood grew up in Cambridge, Mass., and started riding at age 9. She has competed at Training Level eventing and Fourth Level dressage as an adult amateur. Stacy received a Ph.D. in U.S. History from Princeton with a specialty in African American History in 2003. She writes about Black women’s intellectual and political work in the 20th century. She published one book in 2010 and has another one on the pathbreaking congresswoman Shirley Chisholm forthcoming. She is a professor at the University of Kentucky. In 2021 she competed her own OTTB Rock Hard Attitude and Kelsie Bricker’s Loughan Glen, a former Team USA event horse, in dressage.

Sharyn has played an active role in US Eventing for the last 25 years. She is the secretary and co-organizer for the Millbrook Horse Trials (NY) and is also the event secretary for the Carolina International (NC). In addition to her organizing roles, Sharyn also holds a USEF ‘R’ Eventing Technical Delegate license.

Sharyn’s involvement on various USEA and USEF committees has grown over the last few years. After being involved with the USEA Area I Council from 2004 through 2021, she joined the USEA Board of Governors as the VP of Competitions in December 2021. She is also a member of the USEF Eventing Sport Committee and more recently the Chair of the USEF Strategic Calendar Review Task Force.

Sharyn’s day-to day work involves working as the Executive Director of the American Horse Trials Foundation [AHTF] and works at the Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center as the Events Manager.

Sharyn was born and raised on her parents’ farm in Southwick MA where she lives today with her own family. She attended Midway College in KY, where she first found her passion for Eventing. Sharyn spent many years in the saddle, both competitively and for pleasure. However, in her free time she enjoys spending it with her two children, Jacob, and Samantha. They are avid fans of all things outdoors, including skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.

Over the years Cathy Wieschhoff has carved out her indisputable place in the world of eventing. She has ridden at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* and the Burghley CCI4* and is a graduate ‘A’ Pony Clubber,ECP Level V Certified Coach, USEF and FEI Licensed Course Designer for Eventing and Show Jumping, and a Level Two Parelli. She manages, trains, and teaches out of Carriage Station Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, home of the CW Event Team. Cathy also teaches clinics here in the U.S. and overseas. Training off-the-track Thoroughbreds is her forte, having brought several of them up through the levels of eventing. Natural horsemanship plays a huge part in her retraining program, allowing the horses to let go of the track experience and allowing them to be safe, sane, and sound for their second careers.

Dr. Revenaugh is an Illinois native who has worked with and ridden horses all his life. Mark graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991, followed by an 18 month Internship at Arizona Equine Medical and Surgical Center. From there he worked for one year near Chicago before being recruited to work with Dr. Brendan Furlong just outside of Gladstone, NJ in 1994 in their full-service “cutting-edge” equine medical and surgical facility.

In 2002, Dr. Revenaugh and his wife Chris needed a change of scenery, leading them to start Northwest Equine Performance, a new Equine Sports Medicine and imaging exclusive practice outside Portland Oregon. Over the past 20+ years, the practice has grown, and recently Dr. Revenaugh partnered with Dr. Rachel Gottlieb to form Seattle Equine Performance. There is great pride throughout the entire group in the work they do and the dedication to helping horses and clients reach their potential.

Dr. Revenaugh has been a popular speaker in both professional and non-professional venues. He is also the co-founder of “Ignite” (EHPSG), a group of highly qualified professionals dedicated to exploring how to improve equestrian sports outcomes using cutting edge resources. The Ignite group advocates steering the horse industry toward applying principles from human sport over to equestrians (www.igniteforequineathletes.com). Dr. Revenaugh is FEI accredited, has served on numerous committees, panels and most recently, joined the National Cutting Horse welfare committee.

The entire team is dedicated to using their experience, knowledge and passion to help our clients and patients.

Malcolm Hook is in his fourth decade of blowing hot air at USEA Annual Meetings.  He has no idea why he wanted to do this in the first place but will admit that it has kept him out of bars and pool halls and to a lesser extent trouble since 1981. 

When at home and not talking, the hot air builds to dangerously high levels and he must be weighted down with a Labrador Retriever to keep him from floating up the ceiling.

Malcolm is a licensed “S” level USEF Eventing Technical Delegate and a past member of the USEA Board of Governors.

Tik Maynard is a horse behavior expert, trainer, coach, clinician, best-selling author, and international-level competitor who has combined his love of eventing with horsemanship training. Most recently, Tik won the Road to the Horse World Championship of Colt Starting in March of 2024.

Tik has won the Freestyle at the Thoroughbred Makeover twice and judged it once. Tik is an instructor for The Horseman’s University and the Nöelle Floyd Equestrian Masterclass. Tik is the author of In The Middle Are The Horsemen, published in 2018 (and in German in 2020). Tik is also a contributor to Practical Horseman, Chronicle of the Horse, the Horseman’s Journal, and is a columnist for Off-Track Thoroughbred Magazine.

In December of 2015, Rob Burk took over as the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Eventing Association (USEA). Prior to his appointment as CEO, he served as the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Director of Programs for the USEA. Rob draws much of his experience from previous roles as an Executive Director and Senior Adviser within the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and as the Executive Director of a Governor-appointed statewide equine industry advisory board and stable inspection/licensing program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture. He has provided advice and guidance to four Secretaries of Agriculture and two Governors. Rob has evented throughout his life with notable success as a Young Rider in California. He graduated from Otterbein University with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Pre-Graduate Equine Studies and earned a Master of Science from Virginia Tech. Rob, a graduate ‘H-A’ Pony Clubber, attributes his successes to his upbringing through Pony Club and his trainers and mentors based in California, Ohio, Maryland, and Ireland as well as his family. 

Amy was an active member of the Monadnock Pony Club and 4-H in Southwest NH from a very early age. Graduating with a traditional H-A rating, Amy continued to excel while on the St. Lawrence University Equestrian Team and competed through the Preliminary level in eventing.

Returning in 2014 after a break from riding, Amy discovered “Edelmann” would rather jump big things than do dressage. She supports his upper-level ambitions from the ground as his faithful sponsor, groom, and biggest fan.

Amy currently events her mare Galatea HU at the Novice level as well as competing in Second Level dressage. They are very accomplished at both disciplines, competing at the American Eventing Championship and the Region 8 Dressage Finals multiple times.

Understanding the immense need for support and volunteers in eventing, Amy joined the Area 1 Council as the Adult Rider Coordinator in 2020. She recently became the National Adult Rider Program Co-Chair, as well as a Western NY Dressage Association board member.

Amy works in the biotech industry as a Vice President at Fulcrum Therapeutics. She has an MBA from the Simmons School in MA as well as a BA in Economics and Sociology from St. Lawrence University in NY

Jackie has been involved in horses and the sport of three-day eventing from an early age, where she grew up riding for her barn’s eventing team. She began competing with her pony at the Beginner Novice level and has since competed through the Preliminary level and Second level dressage.

Jackie continued riding in college, where she attended Montana State University and earned her bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences. During her time in school, Jackie volunteered at a local therapeutic riding program and continued working on her personal riding and competition goals. After college, she served as President of the local dressage GMO where she helped organize rated and schooling shows as well as educational opportunities for its members. In 2017, she established her own training business, Sapphire Equine, based in Bozeman, MT.

In 2021, Jackie was presented with a special opportunity to purchase her current eventing partner, Penny Lane, and since then, they have competed at the American Eventing Championships each year through Training level. They are working towards their goal of moving up to the Preliminary level in the 2025 season. Jackie is a member of the Area VII Adult Rider program and also competes with her Gypsy Vanner Sporthorse, Chex Mix, in addition to training and competing with her client horses.

Bec grew up in Australia producing and competing horses up through the 5* level, competing at Adelaide CCI5*L at age 20. In 2008 she relocated to the United States starting out at Phillip Dutton's before moving to California's Central Coast. Since then, she has had great success in various FEI competitions across the US and internationally including Kentucky 5* in 2024 and was selected to represent Australia at CHIO Aachen in 2023 and again at the Nations Cup at Haras de Jardy. Bec represented Australia at the Young Rider Trans-Tasman Championships in 1998, 2000, and 2002. She was selected to compete in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Test Event and has ridden at numerous CCI****’s in Australia. Bec is a USEA ECP level V certified instructor and coached the Area VI Young Riders and NAYC Eventing Team in 2017, 2018 and 2019. She is based out of Twin Rivers Ranch, Paso Robles CA.

Dr. Gottlieb is co-founder and owner (along with Dr. Mark Revenaugh) of Seattle Equine Performance, a practice dedicated solely to equine sports medicine. She is the only fellowship trained equine ultrasonographer in the Pacific Northwest, and she is passionate about injury prevention and maintaining equine athletes at the top levels of sport. She prides herself on building lasting relationships with her clients and their horses. You can find Dr. Gottlieb at eventing and hunter/jumpers competitions across the country to support her clients when the stakes are high. You can also find her competing her own mare in the dressage ring.

Growing up in New Brunswick, Canada and northern Maine along the U.S./Canadian border, John Bourgoin's riding life began with trail riding and competing in local Western horse shows. While attending college in Vermont, Bourgoin was introduced to the local hunter/jumper scene where he spent time learning how to ride in an English saddle and proceeded to enter the world of jumping horses. While boarding a horse at a local stable, Bourgoin also began volunteering and helping out with the Charlotte Pony Club. After nearly 40 years, he continues to be one of their main instructors and volunteers yearly for their annual Horse Trials. Bourgoin is still an active competitor and has developed and competed his own horses through every national level of the sport. He has also trained and coached riders from Beginner Novice to Advanced. For the last 25 years, he has been very involved in the Area I Young Rider program and several of his students have represented Area I as team members, earning team and individual medals at the North American Youth Championships. He continues to serve as a team selector and clinician for the program. In 2013, Bourgoin was the recipient of the USEA’s Cornerstone Award. Having retired from public school teaching after 38 years, Bourgoin now has the opportunity to work full time with clients and their horses. Bourgoin and his wife, Alice, own and operate Arbrook Farm in North Ferrisburgh, Vermont.

As an Advanced Level event rider, Rebecca runs RB Riding as a competitive, FEI level Eventing program at Estrella Farms. Born and raised in the Dallas area, Rebecca’s long list of accomplishments in the world of Eventing has taken her places she never dreamed of.

Rebecca’s most notable accomplishments include:

• USEA ECP Level IV Certified Instructor
• USEA EA21 West Coast Coach
• USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist
• Winner of 2017 Colorado CCI***-L
• Winner of 2005 Jersey Fresh CCI***-L,
• Multiple top 10 FEI placings through the 4* level
• Member of Gold Medal NAJYRC CCI***-L Team
• Winner 2012 USDF/GAIG Region 9 4th Level Championship

Rebecca contributes all of her success to riding extensively with such notable coaches as Jimmy Wofford, Joe Fargis, Karen O’Connor, Becky Brown, Kass Lockhart, Rainey Andrews, Berndt von Hassler, and Melissa Simms and Phillip Dutton, whom she hosts annually for a clinic at Estrella Farm.

Rebecca is co-chair of the USEA Young Riders’ Committee and serves on the EA21 Task Force.

Yvonne is a trial lawyer, transactions attorney, and certified mediator who practices in the areas of equine law, employment law, and commercial litigation. Yvonne’s equine law experience includes handling litigation and transactions involving the Equine Activity Liability Act and various other state and federal laws affecting equine industry activities. She assists individual horse owners, trainers, breeders, facilities, veterinarians and others in the equine industry litigate and resolve claims for personal injury, property damage, and other losses caused by allegations of negligence, breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation and other legal issues. She also drafts contracts for horse purchases, sales, and leases, assists with negotiating and drafting employment and independent contractor agreements for equine industry workers, and creates equine liability releases for horse owners, trainers, breeders, facilities, veterinarians, transporters and other individuals and entities sponsoring or participating in equine activities. She also has extensive experience developing multi-owner syndicates for horses in numerous disciplines, including eventing, dressage, and jumpers, as well as creating stallion and mare breeding syndicates. The syndicates completed to date range from several owners to multiple owners, range in value from $5,000 to $850,000 in value, and vary from very young horses beginning their training to mature horses competing at the highest levels of their sport.  Yvonne speaks extensively on the topic of equine law to national and local organizations and competes in Eventing for Area III.

Cindy Deporter has been a member of the USEA since 1977.  She is a USEF Licensed Official (TD and Judge), FEI Level 3 Technical Delegate, and a FEI Level 2 Judge. She is an amateur rider and this year. She retired from the State of North Carolina as the State Agency Director in 2021 after 32 years of service.  Cindy has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is the Chair of the USEA Licensed Officials Committee and a member of the USEA Competitions Scheduling Committee. She lives in Oxford, North Carolina, with her two donkeys, three horses, four dogs, cat, pet pig, and her longtime significant other, Herb.

In December of 2015, Rob Burk took over as the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Eventing Association (USEA). Prior to his appointment as CEO, he served as the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Director of Programs for the USEA. Rob draws much of his experience from previous roles as an Executive Director and Senior Adviser within the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and as the Executive Director of a Governor-appointed statewide equine industry advisory board and stable inspection/licensing program within the Maryland Department of Agriculture. He has provided advice and guidance to four Secretaries of Agriculture and two Governors. Rob has evented throughout his life with notable success as a Young Rider in California. He graduated from Otterbein University with a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Pre-Graduate Equine Studies and earned a Master of Science from Virginia Tech. Rob, a graduate ‘H-A’ Pony Clubber, attributes his successes to his upbringing through Pony Club and his trainers and mentors based in California, Ohio, Maryland, and Ireland as well as his family. 

Sharon White is an international CCI5* three-day eventing rider, trainer, and Level 4 USEA ECP Certified Coach based at Last Frontier Farm in Summit Point, West Virginia. During the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, Sharon represented the US Eventing Team with Claus 63 her own 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Catoo x Levisto) where they placed 10^th overall.

Sharon’s brilliant career includes over 10 visits to the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (formerly known as Rolex Kentucky) with five different horses. She has also traveled overseas to contest CCI5* events at Lühmuhlen (France) and Les Etoiles de Pau (France) as well as CCI4* events at Boekelo (Netherlands) and Hartpury (United Kingdom). Sharon has represented the US in FEI Eventing Nations Cup competitions and was a reserve for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.

Emmy-nominated filmmaker Jessie Deeter has produced, reported and directed awardwinning

documentaries for more than two decades and is currently producing a

documentary about Elon Musk for HBO with Academy Award-winning director Alex Gibney.

Most recently, Jessie's passion project, Hoof Dreams, premiered on Peacock in July 2024,

and Money Electric, a film about the founder of bitcoin, which Jessie produced, premiered

on HBO in October 2024. Jessie is also known for Who Killed the Electric Car? (Sony

Pictures Classics, 2006), The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (HBO, 2019), A

Revolution in Four Seasons, a documentary about Tunisia after the Revolution that

premiered at Hot Docs in 2016, Spark: A Burning Man Story (Showtime, 2013), Death by

Fire, the opening film of PBS's 2010 FRONTLINE season and Revenge of the Electric Car

(her first film about Elon Musk), which aired on PBS’s Independent Lens in 2011.

Jessie has an MJ and MA from UC Berkeley and was a Fulbright Scholar in Oman, Morocco

and Tunisia as well as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco.

For Jessie's full credits, visit her IMDB page.

Louise ‘Lou’ Leslie has over 30 years of involvement with USEA. She competes her event horses from the grassroots to FEI levels as each develops into their best potential. From ECP (formerly ICP) Workshops and Assessments to USEA Foundation Grants, Louise spear heads many educational and grant opportunities for the event community with involvement of the many USEA committees. From the local Area councils to National committees, the combined background of 12 years’ experience on the Board of Governors and the USEA Foundation, her tenure as USEA President will incorporate many of the Strategic Planning committee principles; taking care of the membership experience and remaining diligent to eventing sport safety.

Louise resides in Redmond, Washington with her husband, Neil, and two sons, Alexander, and Broderick.  Her backyard barn is filled with competition horses of a variety of eventing experiences: Souvenir a 16-year-old, Irish Sport Horse, is based in Maryland, to gain the East Coast experience;  Cnick Cnack JJM, a 7-year-old Hanoverian is continuing to progress up the appropriate levels, based on time allowed away from the busy President schedule; and Twenty-Two Deal, a 4-year-old, OTTB, is the new addition from Emerald Downs Racetrack. As always, I still look forward to serving US Eventing to its best potential and keep on, kicking on!