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.
With 2025 just days away, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the top moments for the USEA across the 2024 season. Take a trip down memory lane with us and relive these high-performing moments from our online news, the USEA Podcast, and our Instagram account!
Eventers who are new to the sport may feel a little overwhelmed by the often-misunderstood world of saddle fitting. Riders are often bombarded with information from peers online or self-described experts, putting them at risk of following bad advice related to equipment that impacts horse welfare perhaps more than any other piece of tack. Finding a qualified expert to answer these questions is crucial. Who better to turn to than both a qualified Master Saddle Fitter and a fourth-generation saddle designer to answer some of these questions?
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.