United States Eventing Association

Horse trials, from local grassroots competitions to FEI-level events, are the heartbeat of the eventing world. These trials are more than just a test of skill for riders and horses; they are essential to the growth and sustainability of the entire equestrian community.

As spring and summer competitions approach, competitors, secretaries, course designers, volunteers, and so many more are preparing for the busy season ahead. Eventers can help to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved through a few simple steps.

Spring and summer are on the horizon. As rider’s calendars begin to fill with horse trial, clinic, and schooling outing dates, organizing teams are busy with preparations to ensure smooth operations and a great experience for participants, horses, and spectators.

Somehow we are a quarter of the way through the 21st century. Finally, more and more eventing organizers and professionals are embracing digital tools to improve efficiency while increasing access to the sport. Equestrian sports have historically relied heavily on paper forms and manual payment methods for entries.

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.

As eventing competitors, you know how demanding the sport can be. Three phases (often in one day!) means there’s quite a lot to think about, tons to prepare for, and there are a lot of people involved in making everything run smoothly. A key player in making any USEA-recognized event a success is the Technical Delegate (TD).

Horse trials are so much more than a competition; they are community events where riders, trainers, organizers, spectators, and volunteers come together to celebrate the sport we all love. Competitors invest countless hours training, preparing, and strategizing, and each event provides invaluable experiences.

It’s back-to-school season, but it’s not just school students who need to be thinking about schedules. Whether you’re gearing up for fall eventing competitions or winding down from a summer season peak, now is a great time to incorporate more schooling outings into your horse’s program.

In eventing, as across equestrian disciplines, every rider entry holds significant importance, extending far beyond the individual competitor. For the eventing community specifically, each entry plays a vital role in promoting inclusivity, ensuring financial viability, and maintaining the high standards set by USEA-recognized events.

Eventing brings people together. Both in the barn aisle and out at schooling or recognized competitions, the eventing community is a large, enthusiastic, and cohesive group. From the grassroots to the very top levels of the sport, events across USEA regions need support. Whether or not you intend to compete this season, check out team STRIDER’s top 5 ways to support events near you.