The United States Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors voted last week to postpone the 2020 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention that was scheduled to take place at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 10-13, 2020. The intention is to hold the 2021 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico instead.
“The USEA Board of Governors decided, after much deliberation and a survey of the membership, that it would be in our members’ best interest to postpone the 2020 Annual Meeting & Convention,” said Jennifer Hardwick, Senior Director of Membership Services & Meeting Planner. “This decision was not made lightly, but based on all that is happening in our world and with the safety of our members a top priority, it was the best decision for us to postpone this year’s convention.”
The USEA staff and Board of Governors are exploring all possible options for hosting the 2020 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention. The USEA By-Laws state that the Annual Meeting of Members must be held each year at the conclusion of the competition season, either at the USEA office or elsewhere in the country. The Board will be examining a number of possible solutions and select a course of action that will suit the greatest possible number of our members.
One of the most anticipated parts of the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention each year is the Year End Awards Ceremony, where the eventing community comes together to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of its members. While the Year End Awards Ceremony will not take place in its traditional format this year, the USEA still intends to devise a special way to honor the year end award winners at the conclusion of the 2020 competition season. At this time, the USEA has not made any decisions to adjust the way in which leaderboard points are tabulated for 2020.
“Our members' safety is of the utmost importance, and I could not wholeheartedly say, ‘Come to Albuquerque and enjoy the sights!’ while this is looming over all our heads,” Hardwick stated. “However wonderful it would be to see each of you, we do not want to put anyone in harm’s way.”
The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention takes place each December and brings together a large group of dedicated USEA members and supporters to discuss, learn, and enjoy being surrounded by other eventing enthusiasts. The USEA organizes multiple seminars in addition to committee meetings, open forums, and tons of fun! Click here to learn more about the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention.
The horses in trainer Joe Davis’ barn at Horseshoe Indianapolis don’t just get standard hay in their nets each day. Throughout the afternoon, Davis or one of his employees opens the HayGain machine that sits at the end of his shed row and pulls out a warm, beautiful-smelling bale of freshly-steamed hay to fill their nets.
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
Last month, readers met VIP Volunteer Rebecca Proetto, who volunteered at the MARS Maryland 5 Star horse inspection. This month, the focus turns to husband and wife Ed and Leanne Barnett who introduced Proetto to the art of running an efficient horse inspection at Maryland. Ed and Leanne undertake a 12-hour drive from their home in Indiana to Maryland just to volunteer at the event.
The USEA is saddened to share the passing of Sara Kozumplik’s five-star partner As You Like It at the age of 34. The gelding died in his sleep at his retirement home at Kozumplik's parents' residence.