Dear USEA Members and Supporters,
By this time I am sure that you have received the news that the 2020 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds (AEC) has been canceled. I sincerely apologize for the difficulty this has caused everyone involved. I want to commend the USEA Board of Governors for making an extremely hard decision.
We also would like to thank our partners at Equestrian Events Inc. (EEI), as well as Mary Fike, all the contractors, our sponsors, officials, and volunteers of the AEC. This is heartbreaking for all of us.
I also want to give a special thank you to the Kentucky Horse Park for their support. I want the public to know that we have been assured by the leadership of the Park that it remains open for business. The geographic pull and large starter numbers of the AEC were the major factors in the decision to cancel. We urge those who are able to please continue to support the Kentucky Horse Park and all of our amazing eventing competitions across the country. They need your support now more than ever!
As our President Max Corcoran stated last night “not hosting the AEC will be a financial hit for both the USEA and EEI, but in the end, it is the right decision ethically for the staff, volunteers, officials, and competitors.” Refunds to entrants who have paid for their entries and are due those refunds will be made shortly by the organizers (EEI). Once those refunds are made, our Association, and all other businesses, will continue to be faced with some incredibly hard decisions to ensure that our sport remains viable through the impact of this pandemic on our global economy.
Thank you for being a USEA member or eventing fan. Your support during these trying times means a lot. I look forward to seeing all of you back at the Kentucky Horse Park for the 2021 AEC!
Sincerely,
Rob Burk, USEA CEO
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
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.
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.
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.