The ninth annual Surefire Horse Trials, to be held June 22-24 at Jan Byyny’s Surefire Farm in Purcellville, Virginia, will once again feature the $10,000 John C. Chester/SmartPak Intermediate Challenge on Friday, with Beginner Novice through Preliminary divisions running over Saturday and Sunday.
Popular with professionals as well as amateurs, the Surefire Horse Trials are set on Byyny’s spectacular Virginia property which features rolling terrain, beautifully presented cross-country jumps, and grass dressage and stadium arenas. Over 400 horses competed in 2011 and organizers expect a similar turn-out this year. Surefire has also been designated a Professional Riders Organization (PRO) Junior Young Rider Training Level Scholarship observation competition. Young riders who wish to be considered for PRO’s Eastern U.S. Training Scholarship will be vying to win a free week’s training with either Jan Byyny or Marcia Kulak. For more information about PRO’s Training Level Scholarship, go to: http://www.professionalriders.org/jr_scholarship.htm.
Horse Trials organizers Jan Byyny and Christy Stauffer have assembled an experienced team of officials to ensure the best competition yet, including course designer Tremaine Cooper, jump builders Trav Schick, Joe Stylos and Josh Sylce, and masterful event secretary Mary Coldren handing entries and scheduling.
Help with the horse trials is needed for all three days; please contact Christy Stauffer to find out more [email protected] Surefire has become legendary for their excellent treatment of volunteers—sign up today!
More information about the Surefire Horse Trials can be found at www.surefireeventing.com or by contacting Organizers Jan Byyny (540-338-0797) or Christy Stauffer (540-295-1024). Entries close June 5th.
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.
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.
With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.