United States Eventing Association

Anyone who has ever gone from driving a runaround to taking the wheel of a Ferrari can testify that that there are cars—and then, there are cars. Ben Noonan had a similar epiphany on horseback when he went from riding a trail horse over cross-country fences to riding an eventer. “I didn’t really understand why everyone liked eventing so much,” said Ben, now 18 and on the cusp of a professional career, “until I was riding an event horse.”

Please always remain vigilant when it comes to sending any personal communications via email or text. Every year we receive reports of members and leaders of our sport receiving phishing attempts both online and by phone. These are often communications disguised as being sent from USEA staff or other leaders. As the years go on, the phishing attempts appear to be more directed and tailored.

I've been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. I didn't play sports in high school or college, but at the age of 37, I did finally get the chance to take on some of the best riders in the Rocky Mountain region in the equestrian sport of eventing because of the Arabian racehorse AA Two Face (“Dos”) that I used to announce and now ride. I introduced him in this column last month.

I came into eventing by a circuitous route. Like many young girls, I was “horse mad” as they say back in my home country, England. As a teen in the 1980s, I failed to convince my parents that buying a pony was a good idea. Instead, I had to be content with following the likes of Lucinda Prior Palmer (now Green), Ginny Holgate (now Leng), and Richard Meade, on television, as they braved the elements and the ginormous fences of Badminton and Burghley. In time, I grew up, I emigrated to Northern California and I forgot all about eventing.

Coming back to the tack after an injury is challenging for any rider, but pushing yourself to head back to the start box in a championship setting following a serious concussion and a year out of the saddle definitely adds a whole new level of challenge to the mix. For Grace Montgomery, this is the challenge she had to overcome when loading up her gear and her 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Fernhill Wonder (Farfelu de Muze x Cherokee Bella m2s) in the trailer to represent her college Auburn University at the 2022 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships.

I’m not one for the spotlight. As the voice of the Association, you don’t need to know my personal views, political, eventing, or otherwise. So despite my byline appearing on thousands of articles on the USEA website and magazine, this is probably only the second time I’m writing about myself (the first was about my love for lessons, and reading it now makes me laugh as I am still 100% addicted). But as I am now just a USEA member I thought I would share a bit of my journey to add to our member spotlight series, Now on Course.

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is hiring an Advertising and Marketing Assistant, Coordinator, or Manager. Title dependent on experience. Please read on for details of the job.

Reddick, FL - The organizing committee of the Majestic Oaks Ocala H.T. is sad to report that No Limits, Oops a 16-year-old gelding ridden by Aline Briot in the Training Rider division experienced a fall at fence 17 on the cross-country course. The horse received immediate veterinary attention at the fence and was euthanized onsite. Aline Briot was uninjured in the fall.

"I thought to myself, I have no option but to succeed." The words of one of the most inspirational and hard-working riders in eventing.

In this bonus podcast episode, USEA Podcast host Nicole Brown caught up with the 2021 Bates USEA Lady Rider of the Year Tamie Smith, to talk through the challenges she has faced at the start of her career, how it has shaped her as a person, and her future eventing plans.

The Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event is known for its amazing shopping opportunities almost as much as it is for the spectacular competition taking place! The USEA will be returning on site this year at booth number 318 located on the hill just behind Rolex Stadium. With fan-favorite items and exclusive new gear thanks to our new partnership with Kerrits as the Official USEA Competition and Training Apparel, there will be a little something for every eventing enthusiast.