United States Eventing Association

$500,000 Goal Reached for Frangible Technology Fund!

In less than a year the USEA Foundation, USEA, and a group of passionate stakeholders have managed to raise $500,000 to build frangible fences thanks to donations from USEA members and eventing enthusiasts around the country. This money has gone directly to 116 different USEA recognized events with 151 frangible tables, 53 oxers, and 34 gate/wall fences already out on course – all built with grants distributed by the USEA Foundation.

On March 2, 2020, Jonathan Holling issued a challenge to eventers – raise $500,000 and within three years have only frangible tables on course at the Preliminary level at above. The first part of the challenge has been achieved and the country is well on the way to the second part and with continued fundraising, it can be achieved.

“I am so proud to have been a small part of this fundraising effort,” said Holling. “The resources, effort, and money that have been put forward to increase the safety of jumps on cross-country courses has been unbelievable. When I put this challenge out there, I had no idea how it would be received. The fact that during this year of turmoil, heartache, and uncertainty we have been able to raise these funds, should give us all restored faith in each other. Great job everyone and thanks from the bottom of my heart for helping us make it #frangiblenow.”

The fundraising effort was given a boost in April when it was announced that the Manton Foundation would offer a matching grant for every dollar raised up to $250,000. At the end of 2020 the USEA Foundation was just $12,000 away from the $500,000 challenge goal, so US Equestrian (USEF) decided to step up and donate the funds to make a half a million dollars a reality.

“The team at the USEA has done a tremendous job building up their Frangible Technology Fund over the past year. They have created new educational resources, promoted safety, and provided needed grants to ensure organizers across the country have more readily available access to frangible pin technology on their cross-country courses. They’ve nearly met their goal of raising $500,000 and US Equestrian is pleased to contribute the final amount necessary to help them cross the finish line and complete this fundraising campaign,” said US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara.

The USEA Foundation is home to the Frangible Technology Fund and will continue to accept donations and distribute grants to events to build frangible jumps on all USEA recognized courses.

"The USEA Foundation is very proud to have played a role in reaching the goal of $500,000 for the Frangible Technology Fund,” said USEA Foundation Chair Diane Pitts. "Enhanced safety in our sport is a primary focus of the USEA and the USEA Foundation. We are grateful to the Manton Foundation for their matching grant and to all of the members and supporters who have generously contributed to the Fund. A special thank you goes to the members of the Go Fund Me Group who launched this effort in March and who reached out to the USEA Foundation to partner in this effort. Their continued involvement and guidance has helped develop and administer the grant program. Thank you also to the USEF for believing in the program and putting the fundraising 'over the top.' We are very proud to see the many frangible tables on courses throughout the country that have been built with grants from the Fund."

How to Donate

Donations to the USEA Foundation are fully tax-deductible. Donate today by going to https://useafoundation.org/donate and selecting “Frangible Technology Fund” from the dropdown menu.

All donations will help raise the safety of eventing in the U.S.

Learn more about the frangible technology fundraising efforts here.