United States Eventing Association

Another fantastic week at the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention has come to a close in Seattle, Washington! Several days of celebration and education, highlighted by the year-end awards luncheon and the Annual Meeting of Members with special keynote address from Tik Maynard, were bookended by two important governance meetings of the USEA's Board. This event would not have been possible without the support of the many loyal partners of the USEA and the Convention.

The USEA Board of Governors met twice during the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, once on Wednesday afternoon and once on Sunday morning. We’ve recapped some of the biggest discussion points for you below.

When Advanced level eventer Tik Maynard first watched the Road to the Horse in 2012, he was immediately drawn in by the concept of the three-day competition. Each year, four invited trainers work with a previously unhandled 3-year-old Quarter Horse gelding in 1.5-hour sessions with the ultimate goal of being able to bond with, saddle train, and complete an obstacle course on said horse by the end of the competition.

With longtime Rule Change Open Forum moderator Malcolm Hook unable to attend this year’s USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, Alison Lloyd with the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) took over the forum on Saturday.

As riders, we spend a lot of time focusing on the strengthening and fitness programs of our horses, but as Amy Gibbs, MPT, pointed out on Thursday afternoon at the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, setting aside time to focus on our own balance and strength is imperative, not only in helping us meet our goals as riders but also in ensuring we are riding in a safe and secure manner.

Say hello to Seattle, USEA members! The 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention gets underway tomorrow and features four full days of educational seminars, committee meetings, and social gatherings all surrounding the sport of eventing! This year’s Convention takes place in Seattle, Washington, at The Westin Seattle from Dec. 12-15. Check out all of the items on this year's agenda that you won't want to miss!

This time next Friday, the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will be well underway in Seattle, Washington, at The Westin Seattle, and we want to make sure you make the most out of your trip. The Convention schedule for Dec. 12-15 is brimming with opportunities for education and socializing with your fellow eventing enthusiasts, and there are several seminars you won’t want to miss.

High-performance sport, gender-equality, and female empowerment take center stage in the exciting film, "Hoof Dreams," which follows the journeys of top international eventers Tamie Smith, Lauren Billys, and Julia Krajewski on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. At this year's USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in Seattle, Washington, meet Emmy-nominated filmmaker and director of "Hoof Dreams," Jessie Deeter, and one of the movie's stars, Smith, in-person during an exclusive screening for USEA Members on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 14. Purchase your ticket here.

The USEA is honored to carry forward the legacy of the traditional long-format, three-day event through the USEA Classic Series. These events celebrate the roots of our sport, offering riders a chance to step back in time and experience the original format that shaped the sport we enjoy today. From the excitement of steeplechase to the strategic demands of roads and tracks, endurance day serves as a true test of the preparation and partnership between horse and rider. In addition, horse inspections and educational opportunities add to the depth of these competitions, making them an unforgettable milestone, particularly for those experiencing the long-format for the first time.

The final USEA Classic Series event took place at Ram Tap Horse Park Horse Trials from Nov. 15-17 in Fresno, California. Read on to learn more about the winners!