The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) gladly welcomes back longtime partner D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis as an “Official Bronze Sponsor of the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships” and an “Official Bronze Sponsor of the USEA Classic Series Training Level Three-Day.” As part of their partnership, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis will provide two saddles for the winners of the 2023 Novice and Training Level Three-Day Program drawings at the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention and gift certificates for custom belts as prizes for the AEC. The 2023 USEA AEC, presented by Nutrena Feeds, will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, on Aug. 29 through Sept. 3.
Master craftsmen David Stackhouse and Lesley Ellis individually create each D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis saddle to fit both horse and rider. All of the leather in Stackhouse saddles are cut by hand, allowing the flaps to be tailored to the individual rider. The team uses the finest vegetable tanned, full grain leather, along with top quality Buffalo, French calf, and English hides, to create saddles that will withstand the test of time. Quality, comfort and fit are just a few of the many things to take into consideration when purchasing a saddle. Stackhouse saddles are truly custom made, as the company does not carry any saddles in stock. Cosmetic choices, color, style, thickness of knee pads, type of keepers, and more do not alter the cost of the saddle.
“The USEA is proud to continue our partnership with D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis in 2023,” said USEA CEO, Rob Burk. “Stackhouse saddles are unmatched in quality and range of customizations, allowing every rider to create their dream saddle with the help of David and Lesley. If you’re in the market for a new saddle, consider contacting the team at D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis today.”
For more information, please visit chronofhorse.com.
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.
Eventers who are new to the sport may feel a little overwhelmed by the often-misunderstood world of saddle fitting. Riders are often bombarded with information from peers online or self-described experts, putting them at risk of following bad advice related to equipment that impacts horse welfare perhaps more than any other piece of tack. Finding a qualified expert to answer these questions is crucial. Who better to turn to than both a qualified Master Saddle Fitter and a fourth-generation saddle designer to answer some of these questions?
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
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.