Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Board of Directors (BOD) has chosen Bill Moroney to serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO oversees the USEF staff and all day-to-day operations, reports to the President, and keeps the Board of Directors and Officers fully informed of the conditions and operations of the Federation and all material concerns. The BOD made this decision during its Mid-Year Meeting held on June 21 at the USET Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, N.J. Moroney has been serving as Interim CEO since the USEF Annual Meeting in January 2016.
The Governance Committee recommended that Moroney be offered the CEO position thereby making an outside search unnecessary. Governance Committee Chair and new President-elect Murray Kessler commented, "I believe that Bill is the perfect person to lead the day-to-day operations of the USEF. Importantly, his deep knowledge of the inner workings of the USEF, its rules, committees, and by-laws complements my strengths in leadership, marketing, governance, and strategy. I think we will make a very strong team."
USEF President Chrystine Tauber commented, "Bill has done a fantastic job during the last six months in his interim CEO role. He has the support of the Board of Directors, staff, and the affiliate organizations." Moroney has been on leave of absence from his role as President of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) while serving in the USEF Interim CEO position. Tauber continued, "The Board of Directors recognizes that the USHJA will be electing a new President later this year, and we support Bill's role in ensuring a smooth transition for our largest affiliate. Bill is a person who honors his commitments, and this is one of the many reasons we chose him to become CEO."
Moroney commented, "I am excited about this opportunity and am committed to providing the continuity and stability needed for both organizations to seamlessly achieve their leadership changes while meeting the needs of their members. The USHJA Officers have been doing an exemplary job of leading the USHJA these past few months and will continue in this role until the election and seating processes for the Officers and Board are completed."
The CCI5*-L field was narrowed by one this afternoon following the first horse inspection on High Hope Inspection Lane at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event. Horse and rider pairs were looking their best, with a few horses demonstrating their readiness for the upcoming competition through their flamboyant behavior (we're looking at you Bronte Beach Z and Dyri).
The man, the myth, the legend himself, Derek di Grazia is back in his typical fashion at this year's Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and he has designed some beautiful tracks for both the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S competitions this year. You can get a first look at these amazing courses as well as some insider interviews with di Grazia himself thanks to our friends at the CrossCountry App!
It's the most wonderful time of the year—and we aren't talking about the holiday season. Welcome to 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) week! This week the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, will be crawling with eventing lovers from all across the globe for the first five-star of the 2025 season and the USEA is excited to once again be onsite for all of the action.
The USEA is saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dr. Timothy “Tim” Holekamp on April 19. He was 79.