Carol Kozlowski presided over her final Board of Governors meeting as USEA President this afternoon at the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in Boston, Massachusetts. After the meeting was called to order, Kozlowski delivered her President’s Report in which she highlighted the accomplishments of the Association as a whole, but also thanked each of the Vice Presidents and Governors for their contributions to the USEA.
“I want to thank each of you here for your willingness to be a part of the very small group that really does do most of the heavy lifting and makes a very genuine and generous effort to nurture our sport into the future,” said Kozlowski. “It’s a tired phrase but I feel apt here. ‘If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.’ Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being willing to speak up, disagree, discuss, and produce a hybrid vigor that represents the best we all bring to the table.”
Rob Burk gave a brief CEO report which he will expand upon on Saturday at the Annual Meeting of Members, and then the Board got down to business. They approved two incoming Area Chairs:
Morley Thompson Jr. gave his Treasurers/Vice President of Admin & Finance report which had a much more positive outlook than 2018. The USEA came in within 99% of budget and revenue and while starters revenue was down a bit, several other areas were up including merchandise sales having a large impact. The 12-month net ordinary income was right on track. A few key indicators that Thompson touched on included:
Most of the committees will meet during the week and report back to the Board on Sunday, but a few action items were brought forward.
Diane Pitts, Chair of the USEA Foundation, gave their report to the Board. Pitts and the Foundation are excited to be focusing on raising money for the Poggio Horsemanship Fund, and over $25,000 has already been raised. The Foundation is looking forward to hearing from the past grant winners at their meeting tomorrow as well as awarding a new group of grants on Saturday night. The Foundation is going to be working on a strategic plan as well as rolling out a Kyra King Stuart Planned Giving Initiative. Tink Eichell gave the Foundation’s financial update which reported that financials are just under $2.8 million and they did 12 percent in asset performance last year.
Jeff Newman and Mary Coldren from the Maryland Five-Star at Fair Hill then gave a presentation about next year’s new event. Newman reported that the construction progress is meeting all the deadlines with the arenas completed and all permanent cross-country complexes and paths finished in time for winter. A full presentation about the event will be given tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.
Jenni Autry, the USEF Managing Director of Eventing, gave a brief introduction of her staff to the Board and said that she is looking forward to continuing to work with the USEA to have strong bonds as we work towards mutual goals.
The USEA Board of Governors will reconvene on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. for the final meeting of the weekend.
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The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention takes place each December and brings together a large group of dedicated USEA members and supporters to discuss, learn, and enjoy being surrounded by other eventing enthusiasts. The USEA organizes multiple seminars in addition to committee meetings, open forums, and tons of fun! The 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention is taking place at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, December 12-15, 2019. Click here to learn more about the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention.
The USEA would like to thank Adequan, Bates, Nutrena, Charles Owen, Standlee Premium Western Forage, SmartPak, Mountain Horse, Parker Equine Insurance, Rebecca Farm, Auburn Laboratories, Stackhouse & Ellis Saddles, Nunn Finer, World Equestrian Brands, Gallops Saddlery, Revitavet, Hylofit, and Tryon International Equestrian Center for sponsoring the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention.
The Millbrook Horse Trials kicked off on July 25 with lower level dressage at Riga Meadow Equestrian Center at Coole Park in Millbrook, New York. There are more than 400 total entries competing at Millbrook, from Beginner Novice to Advanced level. Today the upper level horses cantered down the centerline, while the lower levels headed out on cross-country.
The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is thrilled to announce Adams Horse Supply as the new title sponsor of the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the American Eventing Championships (AEC). The ATC will now be titled “The Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships at the AEC.”
The world’s best eventing horses and riders will be first out of the starting blocks when the equestrian action gets underway at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles, France, tomorrow morning with the opening dressage test.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation has announced a change to the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team prior to the start of competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Traveling reserve combination Liz Halliday and Nutcracker will move into the three-member team, replacing Will Coleman and Diabolo.