The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is thrilled to announce Bates Saddles has returned as the “Official Saddle of the USEA,” as well as a “Platinum Sponsor of the USEA American Eventing Championships” (and Preliminary division sponsor), “Silver Sponsor of the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention,” “Contributing Sponsor of the Young Event Horse Series,” “Contributing Sponsor of the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Team Championships,” “Contributing Sponsor of the USEA Classic Series,” “Title Sponsor of the USEA Lady Rider of the Year,” and “Title Sponsor of USEA Mare of the Year Leaderboard.”
"As we celebrate our 90th year, Bates Saddles is thrilled to continue our partnership with the USEA American Eventing Championships. We're honored to support riders at every level, from Starter to Advanced as they showcase their skills at this prestigious event. Our team looks forward to cheering on competitors and meeting eventing enthusiasts at our booth. We're proud to equip many riders with our high-performance saddles and to contribute over 150 prize packs to the event annually. The AEC truly embodies the spirit of eventing, and we're excited to play a part in recognizing the achievements of these dedicated athletes and their horses,” said Erin Kenworthy, Bates Head of Marketing and Technology.
Bates Saddles, a long-standing Australian saddle and tack manufacturer, was founded in 1934 in Perth, Western Australia. They have since grown into a global brand and can be found in 36 countries worldwide. Specializing in innovative saddles for both the horse and rider, Bates saddles are known for their adjustability, durability, and comfort.
“We at the USEA are very pleased Bates has returned for another five years as our Official Saddle,” said USEA CEO Rob Burk. “Bates has been a popular brand in eventing for many years, and that is a testament to their quality and innovation. Many of our members ride in Bates saddles, and I encourage anyone to try riding in a Bates. We have been fortunate to work with them for the last five years and are thankful for their continued support for these next five years!”
Bates makes both dressage, jump, and all-purpose saddles, as well as Australian stock saddles. They also have an extensive collection of tack and accessories for the horse and rider. Endorsed by many top event riders, Bates saddles are the essence of cutting-edge technology with classic style. Visit their website to learn more: http://batessaddles.us
About the United States Eventing Association
The USEA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization committed to providing eventing enthusiasts with a competitive level suited to their individual skills. By assisting and educating competitors, event organizers, and officials; maintaining responsible safety standards; and registering qualified competitions and clinics, the USEA offers a strong and continuous training opportunity for an ever-expanding field of world-class competitors. Just as importantly, the USEA provides a means for all riders, regardless of age or ability, to experience the thrill of eventing. To learn more, visit www.useventing.com.
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.
The USEA office will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and will reopen again on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The USEA staff will return emails and phone calls when the office re-opens on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 or at their earliest convenience.