Dec 21, 2024

3 Ways to Help Eventing Thrive in 2025

USEA/Lindsay Berreth photo

The following is provided through a partnership between STRIDER and the USEA. As part of our commitment to diversity, enabling access, and building capacity throughout the industry we are pleased to provide this content to benefit the sport of eventing.

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. The team at STRIDER has outlined some ideas for involvement that you may even find align with the 2025 goals you set for yourself and your horse.

Participate in Educational Opportunities

One of the best ways eventers can support the growth of the sport is by engaging in educational opportunities. Whether it’s attending clinics, workshops, or online seminars, expanding knowledge about training techniques, horse care, and competition strategy helps raise the standard of the sport. Encourage others to participate in these educational activities, especially newcomers and young riders. Whether it’s by volunteering as jump crew at a clinic or purchasing an auditor ticket, fostering a culture of continuous learning helps elevate the collective skill level and create a more cohesive community.

You can find opportunities to participate in educational opportunities through the USEA, and of course on STRIDER’s calendar of competitions, schooling opportunities, and clinics.

Support Grassroots Initiatives

Grassroots initiatives are critical to build a strong foundation for the sport, and eventing enthusiasts can help by supporting and participating in local competitions and educational opportunities. Contributing to fundraising efforts that help keep the sport going, volunteering at local competitions or even mentoring up-and-coming riders are all ways to help sustain the sport.

Many of the top venues and competitions nationwide have active fundraising campaigns in the off-season to help make course improvements or generally support their initiatives. Be sure to also explore how you might be able to volunteer your time either before, during, or after a competition at your favorite venue. Check out your local venue’s website for more information, or simply ask around for how you might be able to help!

Advocate for Horse Welfare and Sustainable Practices

Eventers have a unique platform to promote both horse welfare and sustainable practices within the sport. By adopting and advocating for responsible training methods, injury prevention, and proper care, eventers help ensure the long-term health of the horses that make the sport possible. Additionally, supporting sustainable practices—such as minimizing waste at events, encouraging eco-friendly facility practices, and promoting conservation efforts—helps ensure that eventing remains a sport that can continue to thrive for generations.

However you choose to participate, there are countless ways to make a positive impact on the sport. By getting involved at all levels, sharing knowledge, and promoting responsible practices, we can help ensure that eventing not only thrives, but continues to inspire future generations of riders, horses, and fans. Together, we can make 2025 a year of growth, collaboration, and lasting positive change for the eventing community.

STRIDER is the leading entry platform across disciplines for the equestrian industry.

From enabling riders to discover and book the perfect opportunity to helping equestrians across the industry grow and run their businesses, STRIDER fosters connections to top-tier experiences. Please visit www.striderpro.com to learn more about the suite of software products and services available.

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Jan 20, 2025 News

Echoing the Dream: Small Acts of Kindness in Eventing

Today, we pause to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on the powerful moment in 1963 when he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared his vision for a better future. Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech was more than just words; it was a call to action that transcended time, culture, and boundaries—a beacon of hope that continues to inspire.

Jan 19, 2025

That “Forward” State of Mind

We’ve all been there—on the horse who pokes his way around the warm-up ring, needs leg, leg, leg coming into the combination, or brings up the rear on every trail ride. None of us wants each and every ride to be a lower-body squeezefest, nor do we wish to do anything with our crop except maybe wave it at that annoying deerfly. In this excerpt from his book The Sport Horse Problem Solver, former international eventer Eric Smiley explains the essential quality of forwardness and how to prepare the horse to expect you to look for it in all that you do together.

Jan 18, 2025 Interscholastic

Stars of the Interscholastic Eventing League Shot to the Top of the 2024 Leaderboards

The inaugural USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Championships may have been the pinnacle for program members of the IEL last year, but that’s not the only exciting achievement that occurred in 2024. A total of 41 events offered IEL Team Challenges for over 360 program members, and in the end, a year-end leaderboard champion was named at every level from Starter through Intermediate. The following IEL members worked tirelessly with their clubs and on their own competitive journeys in 2024 to earn the title of Interscholastic Rider of the Year at their respective level. Join us in congratulating these up-and-coming eventers on their success!

Jan 17, 2025 Volunteers

2024 USEA Volunteer of the Year Susan Hart Makes USEA History with Gold Medal Achievement

Veterinary pathologist Susan Hart has been trapped in an “always the bridesmaid, never the bride” loop on the USEA Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) Volunteer Leaderboard since 2022. After two years of chipping away at the leaderboard, 2024 was finally her year to proverbially walk down the aisle. With a total of 691 and a half hours, Hart topped the leaderboard to become the 2024 USEA Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Mrs. Pastures, and win the first gold medal in USEA VIP history, which is awarded for achieving over 2,000 lifetime volunteer hours.

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