When Monbeg Zebedee came to Allison Springer’s barn nearly three years ago, she wasn’t sure where he might end up or how far his talent would take him. The Irish Sport Horse gelding (Dignifed van’t Zorgvliet x Bolacreane Dolly) had been purchased out of the Monart sale in Ireland by British five-star rider Kitty King as a sales prospect when he was 3, and King had started him but never competed him.
When asked if he could go back in time and give the younger version of himself one piece of advice, eight-time World Equestrian Brands USEA Rider of the Year Boyd Martin says he wouldn’t change a thing.
Last year was a big one for USEA Young Event Horse program graduate Arden Augustus. He made a successful move-up to Modified with Sharon White in the tack, followed by a smooth transition to Preliminary, then went on to win two CCI2*-S divisions and ended the year with a CCI2*-L win.
For more than 50 years, Jane Cory has been an unsung hero of the sport. The Area II trainer, judge, and event organizer welcomed generations of riders of all levels to her family’s beloved Pleasant Hollow Farm in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, ensured the success of multitudes of shows and horse trials each year, and shared her love of horsemanship to all her students. Because of her deep dedication to her role, and contribution to the sport of eventing, she was recently honored by the USEA with the Andrew H. Popiel Trophy, given annually to organizers for their tireless commitment.
Colorado-based upper-level eventer Dani Sussman has been sourcing horses from Argentina since 2019 thanks to the help of her show jumping coach, Mariano Bedoya. When Bedoya called her up about a then 8-year-old Hanoverian stallion who was showing on the show jumping circuit, Sussman hopped on a plane to check him out for herself.
Adult amateur Arden Wildasin’s 39-page long competition report with the USEA began in 2005 when she completed her first Beginner Novice with Mr. Fox. If you would have asked her then if she ever imagined she would be prepping for what she hopes to be her first five-star outing 20 years later, she wouldn’t have believed it was real.
When the MARS Maryland 5 Star announced that in 2024, it would be introducing sports betting to the sport of eventing in the United States, the idea was met with mixed emotions. But Jeff Newman, President and CEO of the event, believes that the addition of sports betting at the upper levels of the sport can make a huge difference.
Are you a member of the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program or USEA Interscholastic Eventing League? Considering joining one of these exciting programs in 2025? Then you won't want to miss these important recaps and updates presented during the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, which was held Dec. 12-14 in Seattle, Washington.
USEA CEO Rob Burk sits down with Podcast Host Nicole Brown to talk about some of the key moments from this year's USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, which was held Dec. 12-15 in Seattle, Washington, including keynote speaker Tik Maynard's presentation, rule changes, accessibility and inclusivity, and more!
In addition to educational seminars, open forums, awards ceremonies, and committee meetings, the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention is host to the Annual Meeting of Members each year where members can receive important updates on the Association and play a vital role in its future.
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.