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Apr 01, 2018
A Letter From PHC Chair Matt Brown
As the incoming chair of the Professional Horseman’s Council, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and the Council and talk about what some of our goals are for the upcoming season.
Equestrian sport has served to inspire my life and career since I was able to say the word "horse." Eventing in particular captured my imagination with the bravery, athleticism, and horsemanship that I saw in the horses and riders galloping cross-country. I truly believe that eventing represents the best in equestrian sports; partnership, teamwork, comradery, toughness, boldness, freedom, grit.
It is with this passion for our sport and a belief that we can evolve into a safer modern sport, while still maintaining our foundational principles, that the PHC will work to help ensure the sport of eventing will continue to thrive well into the future.
Our Mission
The Professional Horseman’s Council is composed of active members of the USEA who are professionals in all aspects of the sport of eventing. The purpose of the council is to facilitate communication between professionals and the eventing community, including the governing body, officials, organizers, and competitors and to assist in the further development, growth, and safety of our sport.
Who We Are
- Matt Brown, Chair
- Angela Bowles
- Max Corcoran
- Robert Kellerhouse
- Lauren Kieffer
- Heather Morris
- Karen O'Connor
- Tamra Smith
- Travers Schick
What We Are Working On
- Continuing to discuss safety including; fence construction, course design, footing, flagging, etc.
- Footing. Experimenting with ways to objectivity evaluate and grade footing at eventing venues so riders can know what to expect for the competition.
- Facilitating communication between competitors and stewards to maintain calm and well-run warmup areas.
- Outreach. We will be working on reaching out to competitors, organizers, and Area Coucil members to see where the PHC could be helpful in fulfilling their needs.
As professionals within the sport of eventing we understand that our sport depends on the participation of amateurs, young riders and professionals in order to have a healthy, vibrant and growing sport. We will be working on outreach in order to lend support to causes that are important to the sport as a whole and which effect riders at all levels.
Unlike other mainstream sports which are spectator based, our sport is participant driven. It is truly OUR sport, so it is important to grow the number of participants and for participants of all types from lower level amateurs and young riders to high performance riders, course designers, organizers, and other professionals to be invested in the sport and in each other and together continue developing and enjoying the sport we all love.
I encourage anyone with ideas, thoughts, or comments to reach out to any of the PHC members. I can personally be reached at [email protected].
See you all on cross-country!
Matt Brown, PHC Chair
Jun 07, 2023
Eventing News
Fast Facts: MARS Bromont CCI
After not running in 2020 and 2021, the MARS Bromont CCI Three-Day Event returned to the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Center in Quebec, Canada, in 2022. America's Jennie Saville (née Brannigan) and Twilightslastgleam won the CCI4*-L, as the chestnut Thoroughbred gelding (National Anthem x Royal Child) bred and owned by Nina Gardner moved up from eighth after dressage into the lead after cross-country with the fastest round on wet ground over the tracks designed by Derek di Grazia. Canada's Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge, a bay Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago x Lelia) owned by Patricia Pearce, finished second, and they are among four from the top-10 in the CCI4*-L in 2022 that return in 2023.
Jun 06, 2023
Eventing News
Hollberg Takes Top Honors in Open Intermediate and Preliminary Divisions at 2023 Essex Horse Trials
Hannah Sue Hollberg of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, was on a winning streak at the Essex Horse Trials on Sunday, claiming victory in both the $10,000 Open Intermediate and Open Preliminary divisions with two horses that are fairly new to her. Some difficulty on cross-country did not stop her mount Hachi from claiming victory in the Open Intermediate with a score of 101.6, while Open Preliminary partner Rockster finished on his dressage score of 27.3.
Jun 06, 2023
Profile
“And again, and again, and again”: Knowing When to Come Again and When to Switch Up an Exercise
The great football coach Vince Lombardi said, “We win our games in practice.” With the goal of having the most effective practices possible for horses, their riders, and their coaches, Cathy Wieschhoff explains some signs that can indicate when horse and rider should repeat an exercise, switch it up, or be done with that activity. Wieschhoff brings perspective as a five-star rider that has competed at the Kentucky Three-Day Event and Burghley Horse Trials, a USEF “R” Course Designer for eventing cross-country and show jumping, a former Area VIII chair and member of the USEA Board of Governors, and a Level V USEA ECP Certified Coach based out of Carriage Station Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
Jun 05, 2023
Eventing News
USEF Announces Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for FEI Eventing Nations Cup Poland CCIO4*-NC-S
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Poland CCIO4*-NC-S at the Strzegom Horse Trials (Poland) from June 21-25, 2023. The team will be under the direction of USEF Eventing Emerging and Development Coach Leslie Law.
