As we honor and recognize the federal Juneteenth holiday, it is an important time to reflect on diversity, equity, and inclusion: where we have been and where the eventing community can continue to grow. One organization that has been leading the way was established in 2020 by a passionate group of eventers, Strides for Equality Equestrians (SEE). Focusing on the fact that the United States is becoming increasingly more diverse but seeing a lack of equivalent representation or recognition of Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) within equestrian sport, the group endeavored to not only push for growth and change, but to also work towards making sure that BIPOC equestrians were able to see allies within eventing and other equestrian sports. The leaders of SEE have made tremendous strides in the past two years. As they look to the future, there is an incredible amount of work still to be done.
Have you always wanted to compete at the beautiful Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana? Here is your chance! Thanks to the generosity of the team at Ocala Horse Properties, two lucky riders will receive funding to assist with their trip to and from Rebecca Farm. Don't delay, the application period for this grant closes on April 20!
This #GivingTuesday the USEA Foundation is placing the focus on horsemanship and the care of our equine partners. USEA President Max Corcoran has made improving horsemanship the centerpiece of her administration. To enable this to happen Corcoran teamed up with Dr. Mark Revenaugh and the USEA Foundation to create the Poggio Horsemanship Fund in 2019.
A celebration of life will be held for the late Patrick “Packy” G. McGaughan on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 4 pm EST. The celebration will be held in the jump field of Banbury Cross Farm, 26315 Haines Rd, Clarksburg, MD 20871. All who wish to honor Packy's life are invited to attend to tell their stories, pat Bandit, and toast a well-lived life. There will be signs posted to direct vehicles to park. RSVPs can be sent to Judy Mcgaughan on Facebook messenger or at 301-526-4241.
On March 1, 2021 the USEA Board of Governors submitted a rule change proposal to US Equestrian (USEF) modifying Appendix 3 of the USEF Rules for Eventing. That proposal was outlined at the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, shared in May 2020 by the Chair of the USEA Cross-Country Safety Subcommittee Jon Holling, later discussed in Eventing USA and through various other communication platforms including a live webinar hosted by the USEA. This was one of four different safety related rule proposals submitted by the Board to the USEF and previously considered with the membership.
Having this historic competition close isn't the right result for the sport, and the United States Eventing Association (USEA) is working hard to find a solution. The organizer and landowners operate exceptional events on a beautiful piece of land. We are deeply sensitive to the history of the word "plantation" and its connection to slavery; however, this property has no known connections to slavery and was instead named after 'plantings' on the property.
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.
Our country and our world are facing a pandemic the likes of which haven’t been seen in over a century. This is creating a monumental barrier to our ability to enjoy our sport in a normal fashion. We recognize the tremendous burden this is placing on our competition organizers, venues and professionals
Dr. A. Martin “Marty” Simensen served as the U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Veterinarian for over 22 years and was widely known and loved for his commitment to his patients and the owners behind them. Dr. Simensen’s work touched the lives of countless equestrians, veterinarians, and horses; and he has become world famous through his dedication and support of the equine athlete.
The USEA is accepting expressions of interest from potential host sites of the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) for three years, beginning in 2019.
It was all sunshine and blue skies on the final day of competition at the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event (JFI), presented by B.W. Furlong & Associates.