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

Marc grew up in Long Island, NY, and started riding at the age of eight. Early in his riding career, he showed Pony Hunters and later in the Equitation divisions. He was a member of Meadow Brook Hounds Pony Club and received his A rating in 1986.

After studying for two years at Rochester Institute of Technology, Marc continued his education at Emerson College and graduated with a degree in communications. Throughout college he rode horses and competed in Eventing across the East Coast. In the 1990s, he rode his horse Middlemarch to the CCI** level.

In the past several years Marc has designed show jumping courses for many competitions including the Carolina International, US Pony Finals, Galway International, Plantation Field, Richland Park, Bromont, Pinoak Charity Horse Show and the American Eventing Championships. Marc assisted Richard Jeffery at the 2011 National Horse show and assisted Richard and Conrad Homfeld at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. He is a USEF ‘R’ licensed show jump course designer and the Program Director at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC where he started the War Horse Event Series schooling Horse Trials. Marc is the organizer of the Southern Pines Horse Trials, Carolina International CCI and Horse Trial, Longleaf Pine Horse Trials and the Five Points Horse Trials.

Marc grew up in Long Island, NY, and started riding at the age of eight. Early in his riding career, he showed Pony Hunters and later in the Equitation divisions. He was a member of Meadow Brook Hounds Pony Club and received his A rating in 1986.

After studying for two years at Rochester Institute of Technology, Marc continued his education at Emerson College and graduated with a degree in communications. Throughout college he rode horses and competed in Eventing across the East Coast. In the 1990s, he rode his horse Middlemarch to the CCI** level.

In the past several years Marc has designed show jumping courses for many competitions including the Carolina International, US Pony Finals, Galway International, Plantation Field, Richland Park, Bromont, Pinoak Charity Horse Show and the American Eventing Championships. Marc assisted Richard Jeffery at the 2011 National Horse show and assisted Richard and Conrad Homfeld at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. He is a USEF ‘R’ licensed show jump course designer and the Program Director at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC where he started the War Horse Event Series schooling Horse Trials. Marc is the organizer of the Southern Pines Horse Trials, Carolina International CCI and Horse Trial, Longleaf Pine Horse Trials and the Five Points Horse Trials.

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

A lifelong horse woman, Dr. Samantha Brooks was diverted from vet school by a budding passion for equine research. Following a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Biotechnology, Dr. Brooks remained at the University of Kentucky to study at the Gluck Equine Research Center. While there she earned her Ph.D. in Veterinary Science, specializing in Equine Genetics under the mentorship of Dr. Ernest Bailey. Following her Ph.D. she was awarded the Paul Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship to study the expression of inflammatory genes in horses affected with laminitis. As an assistant professor at Cornell University she was responsible for the Equine Biology and Management course for six years. Now at the University of Florida, her research program explores a variety of topics relevant to horse health ranging from gene expression studies to mapping of genetic disorders in the horse. Previously her research group discovered genetic mutations and markers for coat colors, height, sarcoid tumors and two neurological conditions. Ongoing work targets variation in gait, heritable fear behaviors, non-sweaters, metabolic syndrome and skeletal defects.

Dr. Brooks was also a lower level eventer and a CHA certified riding instructor in combined training and eventing, has 30 years of volunteering for the USEA under her belt (starting when it was USCTA!) and hopes to continue to ride and return to competition on her homebred Traditional Irish Sport horse.

After being immersed in the equine community since the age of 7, Madelyn Smythe followed a non-traditional path of studying equine science research. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Sciences from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cites then moved across the country to pursue a nutrition and exercise physiology internship with Kentucky Equine Research. Her time interning was split between the sport horses in Lexington, Kentucky and the racehorses in Ocala, Florida. Following the internship, she accepted a position with the Brooks Equine Genetics Lab at the University of Florida to complete her Master of Science degree where her project focused on sport horse gait quality primarily in three-day eventers. Outside of academia Madelyn enjoys her volunteer opportunities for both USEA and FEI recognized events in the southeast region. She also trains and competes young horses as well as her OTTB Murray. Murray and Madelyn have been a competitive team since 2011 tackling dressage, jumpers, eventing, and foxhunting through the mid-levels.

Leslie Threlkeld is the chair of the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Committee and has been the Team Coordinator for the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship since its start in 2016. Leslie also serves on the USEA Licensed Officials Committee, Interscholastic Committee, and Classic Three-Day Task Force, and she is a USEF "r" Eventing Technical Delegate. As an equestrian journalist and photographer this last decade, her work was published in top national and international magazines and websites. In 2021, she returned to school to pursue a nursing career and will graduate December 2022.

Cindy Deporter has been a member of the USEA since 1977. She is a FEI Level 3 Technical Delegate and a FEI Level 2 Judge. She is an amateur rider and this year has been grooming for her horse that Holly Hudspeth is competing. D. She retired from the e State of North Carolina as the State Agency Director in 2021. . Cindy has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a member of the Competitions Scheduling Committee, and Chairperson for the Licensed Officials Committee.

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 has been fortunate to have been able to make his hobby and passion for horses into a full time career for many years. He was advised and mentored by some top outstanding horsemen in several disciplines. Quarles is a licensed as: FEI level 3 Evening Judge & TD and level 2 Steward, USEF ‘S’ Eventing Judge & TD, ‘R’ Dressage Judge, ‘R’ Connemara Judge and ‘r’ Western Dressage Judge. He has chaired and been a member of several USEF and USEA Committees and is currently a Board Member of the USEA Board of Governors. Quarles is still competing in Dressage and Eventing with his fifth generation homebred.

Coach Tony Sandoval is an Equestrian Strength and Conditioning Coach that has been in the industry for over 15 years. He has been strictly working with equestrians from every discipline and level for over 5 years. His system focuses on developing riders from a holistic approach, which involves improving health and wellness and then progresses to improving riding performance. Coach Sando contributes to the USEA website and magazine, Eventing Nation website, and has been on various podcasts.

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 FEI Level 3 Technical Delegate and a FEI Level 2 Judge. She is an amateur rider and this year has been grooming for her horse that Holly Hudspeth is competing. D. She retired from the e State of North Carolina as the State Agency Director in 2021. . Cindy has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a member of the Competitions Scheduling Committee, and Chairperson for the Licensed Officials Committee.

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 has been fortunate to have been able to make his hobby and passion for horses into a full time career for many years. He was advised and mentored by some top outstanding horsemen in several disciplines. Quarles is a licensed as: FEI level 3 Evening Judge & TD and level 2 Steward, USEF ‘S’ Eventing Judge & TD, ‘R’ Dressage Judge, ‘R’ Connemara Judge and ‘r’ Western Dressage Judge. He has chaired and been a member of several USEF and USEA Committees and is currently a Board Member of the USEA Board of Governors. Quarles is still competing in Dressage and Eventing with his fifth generation homebred.

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.

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.

Marc grew up in Long Island, NY, and started riding at the age of eight. Early in his riding career, he showed Pony Hunters and later in the Equitation divisions. He was a member of Meadow Brook Hounds Pony Club and received his A rating in 1986.

After studying for two years at Rochester Institute of Technology, Marc continued his education at Emerson College and graduated with a degree in communications. Throughout college he rode horses and competed in Eventing across the East Coast. In the 1990s, he rode his horse Middlemarch to the CCI** level.

In the past several years Marc has designed show jumping courses for many competitions including the Carolina International, US Pony Finals, Galway International, Plantation Field, Richland Park, Bromont, Pinoak Charity Horse Show and the American Eventing Championships. Marc assisted Richard Jeffery at the 2011 National Horse show and assisted Richard and Conrad Homfeld at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. He is a USEF ‘R’ licensed show jump course designer and the Program Director at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC where he started the War Horse Event Series schooling Horse Trials. Marc is the organizer of the Southern Pines Horse Trials, Carolina International CCI and Horse Trial, Longleaf Pine Horse Trials and the Five Points Horse Trials.

Dr. Kim Keeton is the owner of Coyote Creek Equine Veterinary Services where she practices integrated sport horse medicine in Watkinsville, Ga. An avid competitor, and the owner of a small breeding program, Dr. Keeton has produced many young horses up the levels through the YEH program to both the Advanced level of eventing and the Grand Prix level of dressage. Having lived and worked both in the US and abroad in the UK, Dr. Keeton has a unique perspective, through the lens of both a veterinarian and an active international participant, on the demands placed on the equine athlete.

Austin Wood is a 2005 graduate from Clemson University where he received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agricultural Mechanization and Business. He is skilled in water management and is CEPSCI certified (Certified Erosion Prevention & Sediment Control Inspector). Austin has a deep understanding of soil erosion and water runoff; therefore, he works with his clients to make sure all best practices are put into place.

Over the years, Austin has learned the importance of proper arena surfaces through traveling and researching many different types of foundations and surfaces for a wide range of conditions and riding styles. Austin works with the client to build a customized arena that meets the needs of their horses and riders. Through the engineering of his own custom equipment, Austin can provide a superior level of service to his clients.

Rob Burk has served as the CEO of the United States Eventing Association (USEA) since 2015. Prior to his hiring he held roles as an Executive Director and Senior Adviser within the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and as the first Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board. Despite the sport facing some of its most difficult years due to human and equine disease and other challenges during his tenure the Association has achieved remarkable success. Those successes are largely due to the work of the USEA staff and include: notable advancements in the areas of competition safety, growth of all of the USEA Championships, the successful introduction of the Intercollegiate and Interscholastic programs, growth of the USEA Foundation Endowment and grant offerings, a return to prominence of all USEA media and communication products including EventingUSA magazine once again being recognized the leading Association publication by American Horse Publications, a revamp of the educational programming of the Association, and continued the position of the USEA as the leading voice for the sport in America. Rob evented throughout his life with notable success as a Young Rider in California. He graduated from Otterbein University with a Bachelor of Science and earned a Master of Science from Virginia Tech. A graduate ‘H-A’ Pony Clubber, Rob attributes his accomplishments to his upbringing through Pony Club and his trainers and mentors based in California, Ohio, Maryland, and Ireland as well as his family.

Cindy Deporter has been a member of the USEA since 1977. She is a FEI Level 3 Technical Delegate and a FEI Level 2 Judge. She is an amateur rider and this year has been grooming for her horse that Holly Hudspeth is competing. D. She retired from the e State of North Carolina as the State Agency Director in 2021. . Cindy has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a member of the Competitions Scheduling Committee, and Chairperson for the Licensed Officials Committee.

Sarah Broussard lives at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana and is the organizer of The Event at Rebecca Farm. She also serves as show manager for numerous local hunter/jumper shows held at Rebecca Farm throughout the summer. Sarah’s mother, Becky Broussard, introduced her to eventing on the island of Jamaica when she was a small child. When the family moved to Montana, Sarah continued to compete under the guidance of Area VII’s Cindy Burge. Sarah competed through the Intermediate level and represented Area VII at the North American Young Rider Championships. As a busy mother of two children, Sarah now enjoys competing mostly at the Novice and Training levels. She is the Chair of the USEA Safety and Equine Welfare Committee and a member of the USEA Classic Three-Day Task Force.

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.

Dr. Kim Keeton is the owner of Coyote Creek Equine Veterinary Services where she practices integrated sport horse medicine in Watkinsville, Ga. An avid competitor, and the owner of a small breeding program, Dr. Keeton has produced many young horses up the levels through the YEH program to both the Advanced level of eventing and the Grand Prix level of dressage. Having lived and worked both in the US and abroad in the UK, Dr. Keeton has a unique perspective, through the lens of both a veterinarian and an active international participant, on the demands placed on the equine athlete.

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.

Co-Founder of Ride iQ

Co-founder of Ride iQ

Kyle is a Canadian Olympian and co-founder of Ride iQ. Kyle owns and operates Five Ring Stables out of Citra, Florida with his wife Jen Carter.

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.

Dr. Hatfield offers over 20 years of experience in companion animal veterinary medicine. Prior to entering veterinary college, Dr. Hatfield worked as a Marine Biologist and holds both a BSc and MSc from the University of New Brunswick. Dr. Hatfield earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island in 1997 and completed an internship and residency in Anesthesiology and Pain Management of all species at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Following her residency, Dr. Hatfield served as a staff anesthesiologist at the Atlantic Veterinary College. In 2002 Dr. Hatfield accepted a position as Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine where she taught anesthesia and pain management to veterinary students, interns and residents, provided clinical support to the teaching hospital and conducted research. In 2012, Dr. Hatfield transitioned to corporate technical services, where, over the next several years, she participated in several pioneer medical device and pharmaceutical product launches for companion animals. In 2016 Dr. Hatfield served as a locum anesthesiologist to several veterinary colleges in the southeastern US prior to joining American Regent Inc. in 2018. Since joining American Regent she supports Adequan i.m., Adequan Canine the only FDA-approved PSGAG’s, and BetaVet, an intra-articular corticosteroid.

Dr. Hatfield has served as invited program speaker at international, national, and regional veterinary conferences as well as authoring numerous peer-reviewed papers. She has provided hundreds of educational seminars and webcasts on canine and equine medical topics. She resides in Blacksburg, VA.

James C. (Jim) Wofford,77, was born and raised on a horse farm in Milford, Kansas. He is a graduate of Culver Military Academy, and the School of Business at the University of Colorado (B.S. Bus. Admin. ’69). Wofford, a three-time Olympian, has spent his life with horses, and is one of the best-known Eventing trainers in the world today. In 2000, Wofford was listed by the Chronicle of the Horse as one of the “50 Most Influential Horseman” of the 20th century, and in January of 2012, he was awarded the UNITED STATES EQUESTRIAN Trophy for Lifetime Achievement, horse sports’ highest honor. A Hall of Fame member of both the United States Eventing Association and Culver Military Academy, Wofford trains at his farm in Upperville, Va., and travels extensively, teaching and giving clinics.

Wofford has had at least one student on every U.S. Olympic, World Championship, and Pan-American team since 1978. All four members of the U.S. Bronze medal team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, including David O’Connor, the Individual Gold medal winner, were graduates of Wofford’s program. In addition, 3 out of the 4 members of the 2002 Gold Medal team at the World Equestrian Games were his former students. Kim Severson, the Individual Silver Medal winner at the Athens Olympics, and Gina Miles, the Individual Silver Medal winner at the Beijing Olympics, are both graduates of Wofford’s program.

He was named USOC Developmental Coach of the Year in both 1998 and 1999. Widely sought after as a clinician and coach, Wofford is equally well known as an author and television commentator. His column appears monthly in Practical Horseman.

Wofford has maintained a lifelong involvement in the administration of his sport, both nationally and internationally. This continues a family tradition; his father was a founding member and the first President of the U.S. Equestrian team. He has served as president of the United States Equestrian Federation, 1st vice-president of the United States Equestrian Team, and Secretary of the U.S. Eventing Association. He served two terms as a member of the International Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Committee, including 4 years as Vice Chairman. In addition, he has served on numerous other committees during his career.

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.

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.

Dr. Kawcak is an equine surgeon and sports medicine specialist at the Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University. His clinical and research efforts focus on the identification of factors that lead to performance limitations in equine athletes, especially those that lead to joint disease. Dr. Kawcak has been a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and many of his clinically-relevant studies have been funded by the Foundation.

John Marshall was born in Los Angeles and grew up in Phoenix. He graduated in 1974 from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Business. John started selling houses in Modesto, California, in 1976 and moved into Commercial Real Estate in 1979. He worked for Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate (later known as CB Richard Ellis) in Fresno from 1982 until 2001, when he started John Marshall Commercial Real Estate, which he operated until 2013. John has always been interested in horses. In the 1950s, John’s parents took him and his brother to ride the ponies at Kiddieland by the L.A. airport, and then in the 1960s, they took him to Weldon’s Stables in Phoenix’s Papago Park. He was 54 when he started taking English riding lessons. Later, he talked about volunteering time show jumping at Ram Tap, his first introduction to three-day eventing. He rode in his first horse trial there in 2007. Ram Tap (now known as Fresno County Horse Park) is the second oldest continuously operating eventing facility in the U.S., having opened in 1957. However, in 2012 Bill Burton, the longtime organizer, announced that he would close it. Many people started a “Save Ram Tap” movement, and John took it over to keep it open. John is on the USEA Membership Committee and is the Organizer’s Representative for Area VI. In 2017, John was presented the Andrew H. Popiel Memorial Trophy as USEA Organizer of the Year.

Liz Hoskinson of Bronxville, New York, is a lifelong horseperson, starting out as a youngster in the U.S. Pony Club and showing in the hunter world. When time allowed a return to active riding, she immediately turned to eventing and competing several horses at the lower levels in Area I as well as spent time competing over the winter months in Aiken, South Carolina. She has also coached students to success in their own eventing. Prior to re-starting her riding career, Liz was employed at USEF (then the AHSA), beginning in the Marketing and Communications department and finishing her decade of service as an Assistant Executive Director. Currently, she is the co-chair with Janet Gunn of the USEA's Membership Development committee; is a member of the USEA's Intercollegiate Eventing Committee; serves as co-Chief Dressage Steward at the Millbrook Horse Trials, and volunteers at additional horse trials throughout the season. She manages and teaches at a medium-sized facility in Connecticut and also works as a freelance writer and editor.

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.

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.

Wayne Quarles has been fortunate to have been able to make his hobby and passion for horses into a full time career for many years. He was advised and mentored by some top outstanding horsemen in several disciplines. Quarles is a licensed as: FEI level 3 Evening Judge & TD and level 2 Steward, USEF ‘S’ Eventing Judge & TD, ‘R’ Dressage Judge, ‘R’ Connemara Judge and ‘r’ Western Dressage Judge. He has chaired and been a member of several USEF and USEA Committees and is currently a Board Member of the USEA Board of Governors. Quarles is still competing in Dressage and Eventing with his fifth generation homebred.

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.

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 also co-chair of the Membership Committee. A licensed “r” Eventing TD, Janet keeps her horses at home.

Cindy Deporter has been a member of the USEA since 1977. She is a FEI Level 3 Technical Delegate and a FEI Level 2 Judge. She is an amateur rider and this year has been grooming for her horse that Holly Hudspeth is competing. D. She retired from the e State of North Carolina as the State Agency Director in 2021. . Cindy has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a member of the Competitions Scheduling Committee, and Chairperson for the Licensed Officials Committee.

Malcolm Hook is a licensed FEI Technical Delegate, member of the USEF Eventing Technical Committee, and a past member of the USEA Board of Governors. This year, as in years past, he will moderate the Rules Change Forum, during which time he will attempt to clarify the hopelessly complex rules under which you compete. Malcolm announces and controls at 24 events each year. He also serves on or chairs several USEF and USEA Committees.

Sue Dyson qualified as a veterinarian from the University of Cambridge in 1980. After an internship at the University of Pennsylvania and a year in private equine practice in Pennsylvania, Sue returned to Great Britain to the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket. Sue ran a clinical referral service for lameness and poor performance, attracting clients from all over the United Kingdom, Ireland and continental Europe for 37 years. From 2019 she has worked as an independent consultant.

Sue’s key interests are improving the diagnosis of lameness and poor performance and maximising the opportunity for horses to fulfil their athletic potential at whatever level, taking a holistic approach to the horse, rider and tack combination, and improving approaches to diagnosis and management. She has been involved not only in providing clinical services, but also clinically relevant research and education. Sue is co-editor, with Mike Ross, of Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse and co-author of Clinical Radiology of the Horse and Equine Scintigraphy. She has published more than 370 papers in peer reviewed journals concerning lameness and diagnostic imaging and has lectured worldwide.

Sue is a former President of the British Equine Veterinary Association and is currently scientific advisor to the Saddle Research Trust and Moorcroft Rehabilitation Centre. Sue is also a rider, and has produced horses from novice to top national level in both eventing and show jumping. Sue holds the Instructors and Stable Managers Certificates of the British Horse Society (BHSI).

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.

Coach Tony Sandoval is an Equestrian Strength and Conditioning Coach that has been in the industry for over 15 years. He has been strictly working with equestrians from every discipline and level for over 5 years. His system focuses on developing riders from a holistic approach, which involves improving health and wellness and then progresses to improving riding performance. Coach Sando contributes to the USEA website and magazine, Eventing Nation website, and has been on various podcasts.

Jonathan Holling is a wearer of many hast in this world of three-day eventing. He is an accomplished upper level three-day event competitor having first competed at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 1998. Since this first experience at the top level of his sport, Jonathan has competed at numerous four- and five-star events throughout the United States and Europe. He has competed regularly at the Kentucky Three-Day Event and at Burghley, and was the top placed American on the U.S. Nations Cup team at Boekelo in 2013.

For many years Jo teamed up with Peter Gray, forming Equiventures. In this role Jon was the organizer of four horse trials a year including a CCI* and CCI2* held at the Florida Horse Park. Jon sold Equiventures so that he could focus more on his competitive goals but he is still passionate about maintaining a leadership role in the sport.

Jon is a Level IV ICP Certified Instructor. He has served on the USEA Board of Governors, the Nominating Committee, the Executive Committee, and is currently a co-chair of the Cross-Country Design and Fence Construction Safety Task Force for the USEA. He is also the USEF National Safety Officer for eventing to the FEI, a member of the USEF safety committee, a member of the USEF Competitions Committee, and sits on the Active Athlete Committee. This list goes on and on.

With all of his other responsibilities Jon still prioritizes time with his son, Caiden. He is a veteran of marriage to Jennifer. Jonathan is a huge Green Bay Packers fan, a lover of teenage girl dance music, and a glutton for punishment at his crossfit classes.

Sarah Broussard lives at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana and is the organizer of The Event at Rebecca Farm. She also serves as show manager for numerous local hunter/jumper shows held at Rebecca Farm throughout the summer. Sarah’s mother, Becky Broussard, introduced her to eventing on the island of Jamaica when she was a small child. When the family moved to Montana, Sarah continued to compete under the guidance of Area VII’s Cindy Burge. Sarah competed through the Intermediate level and represented Area VII at the North American Young Rider Championships. As a busy mother of two children, Sarah now enjoys competing mostly at the Novice and Training levels. She is the Chair of the USEA Safety and Equine Welfare Committee and a member of the USEA Classic Three-Day Task Force.

Jennifer is an equine veterinarian from Arizona. She has bred, trained, and evented her own horses and is an active competitor at the Training/ Preliminary level. She officiates as an Eventing FEI Veterinarian and annually volunteers as a veterinarian at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. She has been Canada’s Team Veterinarian for eventing and dressage at Olympic Games and Pan American Games. Jennifer now works as Team Veterinarian for Para Dressage Canada.

Max Corcoran grew up in Manchester, Massachusetts. She started foxhunting with Myopia Hunt out of Pine Grove Stables in South Hamilton, MA. While attending Proctor Academy and Northeastern University, she competed at the Novice and training levels. She went on to work for the O’Connor Event Team from 2001-2012. Max was head groom for Karen and was lucky enough to travel to many championships worldwide. Max gives back to the sport by serving on many committees for USEF and USEA and volunteers around the country at various events. She continues to freelance groom and also organizes horse trials up and down the east coast. She has been most recently named as the USEF Eventing High Performance Program and Team Facilitator.

Phyllis competed at the international levels of eventing for over 30 years, and has had success on many different horses, most of whom she trained herself. In 1988 Phyllis represented the U.S. at the Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, riding Albany II, finishing in 10th place overall. She also represented the U.S. at the Open European Championships at Burghley in 1997, riding Snowy River. She now serves on the USEF Selection Committee. Phyllis owns and operates Windchase, an eventing stable in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where she breeds and trains event horse prospects and offers training and instruction for both horses and riders. She is a Faculty Member of the USEA Instructors’ Certification Program and is a Level IV Certified Instructor.

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 ICP and currently resides as both an ICP Faculty member and an ICP Assessor. Robin was certified as a Level V ICP Certified Instructor 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.

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 D’Arcy has been a Level V Certified Instructor since 2011. She is a member of the ECP Committee (formerly ICP Committee) and lives and teaches in Area V and throughout the U.S.. Mary was the head coach for the Irish Eventing team for the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and coached individuals at the 1996 Olympics. She also coached the Irish Young Rider Three-Day Event Team to a gold meedal at the European Championships - Achelswang, Germany in 1995.

A career equestrian, Jennifer began riding at age 5 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 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, serve as a veterinarian’s assistant at the 1976 Olympic Games and continue to compete through the upper levels of dressage and eventing. 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 10 years there developing a private breeding/training program and starting a family of her own. In the early 2000s 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 Certified Level III instructor, serves as an Advisor to the ICP program, is on the USEA ICP committee, and is a Certified Trainer with USHJA. Recently awarded the Broussard Grant for licensed officials, 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 CCI2* (now CCI3*) competition. L’Esprit Equestrian continues to flourish as a top Eventing training program, producing riders and horses through all levels of competition, including fielding 15 riders for the 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds.

Karen O’Connor was certified at Level V in 2005. She sits on the ECP Committee (formerly ICP Committee), is an ECP Faculty member, and an ECP Assessor. Karen began competing internationally in 1979, when she was just 21 years old. In 1993. She has competed in five Olympic Games, three World Equestrian Games, and two Pan American Games. In 1993, Karen was the number one ranked lady rider in the world and she has been named U.S. Female Equestrian Athlete 10 times.

David O’Connor grew up spending most of his life on horseback. In 1996 he and wife, Karen, became the first couple to compete on the same Olympic team and win a medal when they helped the U.S. to win the team silver at the Atlanta Games. The next year David won the Badminton CCI4*, becoming only the second American to win the coveted title. In 2000, with an Olympic record-breaking score, he won the individual gold medal and was a member of the bronze medal winning team. He has since followed that up with a win at the Rolex CCI4* in 2001, wins at the Radnor CCI2*, and Foxhall Cup CCI3*, team gold from the 2002 World Equestrian Games, a win at the Jersey Fresh CCI2* in 2003, and in 2004 a win at the Foxhall Cup CCI3*. In 2004, he officially retired from international competition to focus on the training of riders and horses. He has always been involved in the administrative side of the sport and now held the position of President of the United States Equestrian Federation from 2004 to 2012. For the past several years David has been the coach of the Canadian Eventing Team and starting in 2013 he will be the Technical Advisor for the U.S. Eventing Team. In addition, David is a much sought after course designer for many venues across the country. Together with his wife he operates a successful teaching and training business at their facilities in The Plains, Virginia and Ocala, Florida. The US Equestrian (USEF) recently announced David O’Connor’s appointment to the newly created position of Chief of Sport.

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.

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.

Heather Gillette is a lifelong eventer, teacher, and trainer who owns and runs Heron's Landing Eventing in Tewksbury, NJ. She has been a USEF Licensed Eventing Dressage Judge & Technical Delegate since 2019 and very much enjoys it. A graduate 'A' Pony Clubber from Spring Valley Hounds PC in NJ, Heather has competed primarily OTTBs from Beginner Novice to five-star level. She had a successful 2021 season with her current partner Vincent Chase, capping it off by completing the Maryland CCI 3*-L.

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, ICP Level IV Certified Instructor, USEF Licensed Course Designer for Eventing and Show Jumping, and a Level Two Parelli. She manages Carriage Station Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, home of the CW Event Team. Cathy also teaches clinics here in the U.S. and is a journeyman clinician for the O’Connor Camps. 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.

Gale Fox presently operates, Coerte Farm, the upstate NY farm that has been in her family for six generations. She has spent too many years to count as a Competitor/Coach/Clinician/ Official.

Gale was a Reserve Member of the 1984 USA Olympic Gold Medal Team; Member of USA Bronze Medal Team 1983 in Boekelo, Holland; represented USA at Breda, Holland 1986; Long listed for 2 World Championship Teams, 1 Olympic Team, 2 Pan American Teams; competed strings of horses from BN thru Advanced and at FEI competitions until retiring from Eventing in 2020 and now competes her 2 PSG horses in Dressage.

Gale trained in her early years with Jimmy Wofford, Denny Emerson, Major Bela Buttykay as well as being a resident rider at the USET under Jack Le Goff in 1985. She has continued her education with lessons and clinics from some very notable instructors. She has passed on her knowledge to many students through the years.

She is a 'S' National Eventing Judge and TD as well as a Level 3 FEI TD and can be seen at many Events throughout the year.

Gale is the proud wife of Jeff and mother of triplet boys, John, Ryan and Griffen. She graduated cum laude with a BS in Child Psychology and in her spare time has run 15 marathons including 4 Boston Marathons.

Dr. Marty Adams is a technical services equine nutritionist for Cargill Animal Nutrition. He was formerly the equine nutritionist and horse feed manager for Southern States Cooperative. Dr. Adams also served as an assistant/associate professor at Louisiana Tech University after graduate school, and then was the equine nutritionist for Seminole Feed before taking the position at Southern States. Dr. Adams has two B.S. degrees from Missouri State University, M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Missouri (Animal Science/Equine Specialty) and an ARPAS Equine (American Registry of Professional Animal Science) certification

Malcolm Hook is a licensed FEI Technical Delegate, member of the USEF Eventing Technical Committee, and a past member of the USEA Board of Governors. This year, as in years past, he will moderate the Rules Change Forum, during which time he will attempt to clarify the hopelessly complex rules under which you compete. Malcolm announces and controls at 24 events each year. He also serves on or chairs several USEF and USEA Committees.

Sue Dyson qualified as a veterinarian from the University of Cambridge in 1980. After an internship at the University of Pennsylvania and a year in private equine practice in Pennsylvania, Sue returned to Great Britain to the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket. Sue ran a clinical referral service for lameness and poor performance, attracting clients from all over the United Kingdom, Ireland and continental Europe for 37 years. From 2019 she has worked as an independent consultant.

Sue’s key interests are improving the diagnosis of lameness and poor performance and maximising the opportunity for horses to fulfil their athletic potential at whatever level, taking a holistic approach to the horse, rider and tack combination, and improving approaches to diagnosis and management. She has been involved not only in providing clinical services, but also clinically relevant research and education. Sue is co-editor, with Mike Ross, of Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse and co-author of Clinical Radiology of the Horse and Equine Scintigraphy. She has published more than 370 papers in peer reviewed journals concerning lameness and diagnostic imaging and has lectured worldwide.

Sue is a former President of the British Equine Veterinary Association and is currently scientific advisor to the Saddle Research Trust and Moorcroft Rehabilitation Centre. Sue is also a rider, and has produced horses from novice to top national level in both eventing and show jumping. Sue holds the Instructors and Stable Managers Certificates of the British Horse Society (BHSI).

Ariel Grald launched her international eventing career as part of the Area I team at the North American Youth Championships in 2004. In 2014, she was named to the USEF Under 25 Developing Riders List. That same year, she earned her first win at the FEI level, riding LBF Oleagh’s Image to first place in the CCI3*-S at Carolina International.

In 2014, Grald began her partnership with Leamore Master Plan, a then-five-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Annie Eldridge. The pair made their five-star debut together in 2019 at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L, where they finished in 12th place. They went on to compete at the 2019 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, finishing 10th overall and as the highest-placed Burghley first timer. In 2021, Grald and “Simon” placed third at the Lumühlen CCI5*. In 2022, the pair represented the U.S. as individuals at the FEI World Championship in Pratoni del Vivaro, ITA.

Grald was a 2019 recipient of the Jaqueline B. Mars International Grant and was named to the USEF Development Training List in 2019 and 2020.

Will Coleman began his riding career when he was just six years old, learning to ride in the hunt fields and in the show jumping ring under the tutelage of his father, who was also an avid horseman. Coleman’s interest in eventing was cultivated through an apprenticeship with famed eventing greats Karen and David O’Connor. In 2001, Coleman was the gold medalist at the North American Youth Championships. In 2003, Coleman became the first, and to date only, U.S. athlete to win the Bramham CCI4*-L Under-25 with Fox in Flight in the United Kingdom.

Coleman has added numerous accolades to his record, highlighted by representing the U.S. team at the London 2012 Olympic Games with Twizzel and at the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018 with Tight Lines. He was the 2017 The Dutta Corp./USEF CCI4*-L Eventing National Champion with Tight Lines and the 2015 USEF CCI5*-L Eventing Reserve National Champion with OBOS O’Reilly.

In recent years, Coleman has tallied top results with Off The Record. The pair won the 2018 Great Meadow International CCIO4*-S, 2019 Jersey Fresh International CCI4*-S, 2021 Carolina International CCI4*-S and 2021 CIO4*-S at CHIO Aachen. At the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, ITA, the pair finished as the highest placed U.S. combination, taking seventh place overall, and contributed to a team silver medal.

Boyd Martin, the son of Olympic speed skater Toy (Dorgan) Martin and Olympic cross-country skier Ross Martin, began riding at a young age in his native Australia. He won his first CCI4* (now known as CCI5*, the highest level of eventing) at the 2003 Australian International Three-Day Event riding True Blue Toozac.

He moved to the U.S. in 2007 to further his career as an eventing professional, serving as the assistant trainer to Olympian Phillip Dutton for two years before starting his own business. Martin began riding for the U.S. in 2009.

Martin is a three-time Olympian, representing the U.S. in London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016, and Tokyo 2020. He is a three-time U.S. Eventing Team member for the FEI World Equestrian Games. With Pancho Villa, he was a member of the U.S. team that won gold at the 2015 Pan American Games. In 2019, he won team and individual gold at the Pan American Games with Tsetserleg TSF.

In 2021, Martin won the inaugural Maryland 5 Star with Christine, Thomas, and Tommie Turner’s Anglo European mare, On Cue, becoming the first American to win a CCI5* since 2008. Martin has twice been the USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Champion at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, in 2019 with Tsetserleg TSF and in 2021 with On Cue.

In 2022, Martin finished fourth overall at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, becoming the USEF CCI5* Eventing Reserve National Champion with Tsetserleg TSF. In September, the pair represented the U.S. at the FEI World Championship in Pratoni del Vivaro, ITA and helped secure a team silver medal.

Lauren Nicholson (née Kieffer) began riding at the age of six and competed in her first horse trials at the age of 12. As a high school graduation present, Kieffer participated in a week-long eventing summer camp with Olympians David and Karen O’Connor, which led to a six-year working student position. Her talent and work ethic helped her reach the top levels of the sport and represent her country in international championships.

Nicholson was a member of the U.S. Eventing Team at the 2016 Olympic Games with the Dutch Warmblood mare, Veronica, and the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games with her Anglo Arabian gelding, Vermiculus. In 2015, she won team gold at the Pan American Games in Toronto riding Meadowbrook’s Scarlett.

Nicholson won team bronze in 2005 and team silver in 2007 at the North American Youth Championship with her Anglo-Arabian gelding, Snooze Alarm, a full brother to her future WEG partner, Vermiculus. She made her debut at the CCI5*-L level in 2010, when she and Snooze Alarm completed the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

Since then, Nicholson has had numerous top finishes at the five-star level, including finishing in second place overall and as the highest-placed U.S. athlete at the Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2014 and 2016 with Veronica, where she won the title of USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Champion. The pair also had top-ten finishes at the CCI5*-L level at Pau in 2014 and Badminton in 2018. With Vermiculus, Nicholson finished in the top ten in the CCI5* events at Kentucky in 2018 and 2019, Burghley in 2019, and at Lumühlen in 2022. She finished in the top ten with Landmark’s Monte Carlo at the inaugural Maryland 5 Star CCI5* in 2021. In 2022, the Nicholson and Vermiculus represented the U.S. at the FEI World Championship in Pratoni del Vivaro, ITA and helped secure a team silver medal.

Tamra “Tamie” Smith was a member of the U.S. Eventing Team that won gold at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, with Ellen and Alexandra Ahearn and Eric Markell’s German Sport Horse, Mai Baum. In 2021, Smith took Mai Baum to a top-ten finish in his CCI5*-L debut at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event. That year, they were named as the reserve for the U.S. Eventing Team for the Tokyo Olympics.

Smith has represented the U.S. in in FEI Nations Cup competitions, including the CCIO4*-S at CHIO Aachen with Mai Baum and the CCIO4*-L at Boekelo, both in 2021.

Smith was the 2020 USEF CCI3*-L Eventing National Champion with Elliot-V at the Galway Downs International Event, and at the same event finished second in the CCI4*-L with Passepartout. In 2021, she and Mai Baum won the Grand Prix Eventing Showcase at Bruce’s Field. Smith went on to finish second in the CCI4*-S at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and third at the Jersey Fresh CCI4*-L with Envogue. With Solaguayre California, Smith won the CCI3*-S at Red Hills International and the CCI3*-L at Jersey Fresh. She closed out the 2021 season with a win in the CCI3*-L at Galway Downs International with Maitanzer.

In May of 2022, Smith and Mai Baum competed in the Badminton Horse Trials CCI5* where they finished in ninth place. In September, the pair finished in the top ten at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, ITA, contributing to a team silver medal.

Costello first became involved in the discipline of Eventing in the 1970s and has enjoyed a successful career as a competitor and coach for over 30 years. Costello and Chevalier competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, earning an individual eighth place. On the sport governance front, Costello has held numerous positions, including chairing the USEF Active Athletes Committee (2001-2008) and the USEF Eventing High Performance Committee (2009-2012). He chaired the USEF Eventing Selection Committee for the Olympic, World, and Pan-American Games from 2013 through the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Most recently, Costello has been serving as the interim USEF Eventing Chef d’Equipe and Team Manager, helping to lead the USEF Land Rover Eventing Team to a Team Silver at the FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni, Italy.

Max Corcoran grew up in Manchester, Massachusetts. She started foxhunting with Myopia Hunt out of Pine Grove Stables in South Hamilton, MA. While attending Proctor Academy and Northeastern University, she competed at the Novice and training levels. She went on to work for the O’Connor Event Team from 2001-2012. Max was head groom for Karen and was lucky enough to travel to many championships worldwide. Max gives back to the sport by serving on many committees for USEF and USEA and volunteers around the country at various events. She continues to freelance groom and also organizes horse trials up and down the east coast. She has been most recently named as the USEF Eventing High Performance Program and Team Facilitator.

Dr. Amy Burk is a Professor, State Horse Extension Specialist, and Coordinator of the Equine Studies Program in the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences at the University of Maryland. She completed her graduate work in equine nutrition as a Pratt Fellow at Virginia Tech earning an MS in 1998 and a PhD in 2001. Dr. Burk teaches courses in equine science, management, and reproduction as well as advising the equestrian club and eventing team. Her educational and research programs aim to reduce equine obesity in the horse population and to increase adoption of best management practices by horse farm operators to reduce non-point source pollution from horse farms. Her novel rotational grazing demonstration site has been used to educate ~ 2,000 individuals and has been replicated by three other universities. Burk has authored 32 peer-reviewed scientific and extension publications and given 95 invited presentations to regional and national audiences. Dr. Burk is a governor-appointed member of the Maryland Horse Industry Board and is the past Chairman of the National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics. Her research and teaching efforts have been recognized by the Equine Science Society. Dr. Burk is married to Rob Burk, CEO of the US Eventing, and together they have two daughters.

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.

Currently living in Redmond, Washington with husband, Neil, and two wonderful sons, Alexander and Broderick, and the backyard barn of competition horses; Souvenir a 14-year-old, Irish Sport Horse, and Cnick Cnack JJM, a 5-year-old, Hanoverian, Lou looks forward to serving US Eventing to its best potential and keep on, kicking on!

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

I am grateful that I have been a part of "Timmy's" career for almost three years. The amount of pure heart, grit, and talent he displayed at the World Championship was inspiring. As amazing as he was, the group of people behind him are just as noteworthy. Every bit of his success is credited to the captain of the ship, Will Coleman, but also the group of people that believe in him and are incredibly invested in the success of his horses and program.

Getting these athletes to this point takes years of preparation through each of their own individual programs. At this level the programs that support every rider and horse combination vary, however they strive for the same goal, ultimately attempting to produce three of the best phases possible. I’m proud to state that we did that. Regardless of the standings he will always be a champion in my eyes!

I’ve worked for Tamie at events all over the West and East Coasts (Galway Downs, Twin Rivers, Rebecca Farm, Fair Hill, Tryon, Carolina, Red Hills and more.) I’ve groomed in Europe at Aachen for PEQ ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, Arville, Badminton where Tamie and “Lexus” finished ninth, and at the CSIO4* at Aachen in 2022 where the team won silver.

I’ve worked for Tamie on a part-time basis at shows for over 10 years. I have loved being a part of the development of her program and watching all the young horses grow into top-class athletes. I feel very fortunate to have an incredible relationship with Tamie, not only as her groom but as a friend. I strive to have my horses turned out and taken care of immaculately so they can look, feel and be their best. My love for the horses and the sport keeps bringing me back. The opportunity, the travel and community of friends all over the world are what make it so special.

I began grooming for Ariel in 2018 when “Simon” moved up to the Advanced/CCI4* level. The following year, they competed at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* and then we took our first trip overseas to compete at big bad Burghley. Although COVID-19 slowed travel and competition down for a season, 2021 proved to be an exciting year with two trips to Germany for the Luhmuhlen CCI5*-L and then Aachen CCIO4*-S (where I discovered my love for German pastries and spargel!). This past spring, we finally got the chance to compete at Badminton, which was absolutely incredible!

Our most recent adventure was the travel to the World Championships at Pratoni. It was an incredible venue and I really enjoyed being a part of Team USA.

I have so many things to say about the experience of the World Championship. It’s definitely my career highlight so far. The feeling I had when following our horses and riders into the prize giving is a feeling I will never forget. So many years of hard work from everyone to get there, as we all know most of the work to get there is done on a daily basis and it’s never over till it’s over and you have given it all you got. The team camaraderie was amazing. What an incredible group of horses, riders, grooms, owners and support staff we had to share this experience with. How lucky are we?! I’m so proud of team USA.

But I have to say apart from team silver, the best part for me was on Monday morning, loading 5 happy sound and healthy horses who gave 100% the whole trip. That in itself is no easy feat and doesn’t happen by chance.”

I’ve been very lucky over the years to be involved in quite a few championships, and this one was particularly exciting, not only for the individual riders, but for U.S. Eventing as a whole. For me, having the same horse represent the U.S. in four championships is a testament to all aspects of Thomas’ management, including his vets, farriers, physio, and nutritionists. As a groom it’s always rewarding to achieve success and it’s even better when it’s a horse that means so much to his entire team.

James C. (Jim) Wofford,77, was born and raised on a horse farm in Milford, Kansas. He is a graduate of Culver Military Academy, and the School of Business at the University of Colorado (B.S. Bus. Admin. ’69). Wofford, a three-time Olympian, has spent his life with horses, and is one of the best-known Eventing trainers in the world today. In 2000, Wofford was listed by the Chronicle of the Horse as one of the “50 Most Influential Horseman” of the 20th century, and in January of 2012, he was awarded the UNITED STATES EQUESTRIAN Trophy for Lifetime Achievement, horse sports’ highest honor. A Hall of Fame member of both the United States Eventing Association and Culver Military Academy, Wofford trains at his farm in Upperville, Va., and travels extensively, teaching and giving clinics.

Wofford has had at least one student on every U.S. Olympic, World Championship, and Pan-American team since 1978. All four members of the U.S. Bronze medal team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, including David O’Connor, the Individual Gold medal winner, were graduates of Wofford’s program. In addition, 3 out of the 4 members of the 2002 Gold Medal team at the World Equestrian Games were his former students. Kim Severson, the Individual Silver Medal winner at the Athens Olympics, and Gina Miles, the Individual Silver Medal winner at the Beijing Olympics, are both graduates of Wofford’s program.

He was named USOC Developmental Coach of the Year in both 1998 and 1999. Widely sought after as a clinician and coach, Wofford is equally well known as an author and television commentator. His column appears monthly in Practical Horseman.

Wofford has maintained a lifelong involvement in the administration of his sport, both nationally and internationally. This continues a family tradition; his father was a founding member and the first President of the U.S. Equestrian team. He has served as president of the United States Equestrian Federation, 1st vice-president of the United States Equestrian Team, and Secretary of the U.S. Eventing Association. He served two terms as a member of the International Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Committee, including 4 years as Vice Chairman. In addition, he has served on numerous other committees during his career.

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.

Coach Tony Sandoval is an Equestrian Strength and Conditioning Coach that has been in the industry for over 15 years. He has been strictly working with equestrians from every discipline and level for over 5 years. His system focuses on developing riders from a holistic approach, which involves improving health and wellness and then progresses to improving riding performance. Coach Sando contributes to the USEA website and magazine, Eventing Nation website, and has been on various podcasts.