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Jun 12, 2012
9th Annual Surefire Horse Trials Still Open for Entries
The ninth annual Surefire Horse Trials will take place June 22-24 at Jan Byyny’s Surefire Farm in Purcellville, Virginia. Organizers are excited to announce that this year, SmartPak is sponsoring the $10,000 John C. Chester 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. This year’s competitors can expect a large number of new jumping efforts and a re-routed cross-country track. Over 400 horses competed in 2011 and organizers expect a similar turnout in June.
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, footing guru Tom Finnen and incomparable event secretary Mary Coldren handing entries and scheduling among others.
Help with the horse trials is needed for all three days; please contact Christy Stauffer to find out more. 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, by contacting Organizers Jan Byyny (540-338-0797) or Christy Stauffer (540-295-1024), or by e-mailing [email protected].
Dec 21, 2024
Education
3 Ways to Help Eventing Thrive in 2025
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.
Dec 20, 2024
Sponsor
“Happy Horse Equals Happy Judge”: Ask An Expert with Dressage Judge Peter Gray, Brought to You by Ride iQ
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.
Dec 19, 2024
Volunteers
The VIP Volunteer: Cathy Hale Has A Thirst for Adventure and a Love for Volunteering
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.
Dec 18, 2024
Association News
USEA Office Closed for Holidays
The USEA office will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and will reopen again on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The USEA staff will return emails and phone calls when the office re-opens on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 or at their earliest convenience.
