There is nothing like competing in a USEA Classic Series Event and interim USEA Podcast Host Rosie Russell sat down to chat with the three champions from the Coconino USEA Classic Series. Hear what motivated these talented eventers to participate in the long-format this year, how each competitor prepared for the event, what they learned from the experience, and so much more!
With an Olympic Games on U.S. soil in Los Angeles, California, in just four years time, all eyes are on talented U.S. pairs as they continue to produce their horses and improve their own skills in the saddle in hopes of getting the chance to represent Team USA on the Olympic stage. Producing up-and-coming horse and rider pairs is big focus of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, which is why the USEF Development Program was born.
We are still riding on a bit of a high after the success of the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Eventing Championships, so we loved taking the opportunity to chat about this year's event with Stable View's Barry Oliff, member of the winning Intercollegiate team Hayden Wathen, and member of the winning Interscholastic team Collins Zgutowicz. Let the countdown to the 2025 championships begin...
On this week's edition of the USEA Podcast, interim podcast host Rosie Russell touches base with this year's Defender/USEF CCI5*-L National Champion Lauren Nicholson who was the highest-placed U.S. rider in the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Rosie talks with Lauren about her history with her longtime partner Vermiculus, their preparations for Kentucky, their outstanding performance at the five-star event, and so much more!
The USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship has always been a fan-favorite amongst USEA staff and members alike, but this year the year-end showdown which was dubbed the "happiest horse trial on earth" by a USEA staff member is getting bigger and better with the addition of the inaugural USEA Interscholastic Eventing League Championship.
In this week's episode, Russell chats with New Zealand riders Matthew Grayling and Monica Spencer, both of whom have spent the start of the year competing in the U.S. in preparations for Kentucky. Hear all about how Grayling balances a dairy operation and his eventing goals at the age of 60, why Spencer is now calling the U.S. her home base, and so much more in our Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event preview episode!