Mar 24, 2022

Enriching the Sport of Eventing: How Jeanie Clarke Utilized 2021 Going Forward USEA Members Grant Funding

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff
Photo courtesy of Jeanie Clarke

The year 2020 was filled with challenges and obstacles in the sport of eventing. It also allowed for individual reflection, assessment, and evaluation. From this progressive thinking came the evolution of the Going Forward USEA Members Grant. This educational opportunity provided the possibility to transform members’ lives, careers, and horsemanship, along with enriching the sport of eventing.

The Broussard Charitable Foundation Trust generously donated a one-time gift of $25,000 to the USEA Foundation. These monies were awarded to eligible and qualified USEA Members through an application, interview, and review process associated with three essential educational areas. The USEA catches up with each of the recipients of the Broussard Charitable Foundation Going Forward Grants to see what this funding was able to help them accomplish.

Jeanie Clarke describes herself as a life-long horsewoman and an educator. An accredited instructor with the USEA Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) and Advanced level eventer, Clarke’s program has produced five-star riders, “A” level pony clubbers, top grooms and barn managers, and so much more. While Clarke’s focus has been on educating others, she has also pursued continuous education for herself, an effort that the funds from the Broussard Charitable Foundation Going Forward Grant helped make possible.

“It feels meaningful to have received the Going Forward Grant because, like the best of the sport of eventing, this is a team effort,” Clarke shared with the USEA. “I want to contribute to the future of the sport in a meaningful way. Earlier in my career, I did this through teaching, developing good riders and good horses, fostering a sense of responsibility to the sport amongst my students and owners, and volunteering as much as possible. Now, with more experience and expertise to offer, I also want to design courses that will support the future and the quality of eventing. Good courses should give horses and riders positive educational experiences at the lower levels. At the upper levels they should foster great competition.”

Utilizing her grant funding, Clarke has been able to continue her own education in the realm of course design with the ultimate goal of becoming a licensed course designer. One way funding assisted her in making this possible was by allowing her to take on volunteer jobs to gain invaluable experience without having a negative impact on the financial aspect of her business.

“The grant has made it possible for me to learn more about course designing in pursuit of licensing, and to take on some volunteer course design jobs at schooling shows and Pony Club rallies, without having to stress about how the time and associated expenses might undercut my business. Basically, it's a load off my shoulders, financially and mentally. I can say yes without guilt.”

One of the things Clarke loves so much about eventing is that those involved are rarely just involved in one capacity. It is not uncommon to find riders and trainers also stepping into other roles to help the growth of the sport and continue to develop themselves further professionally, which is exactly what Clarke was able to accomplish thanks to this grant funding.

“Eventing's professional community is a complex group of people with many-layered interests in the sport,” commented Clarke. “Eventing is our profession and the source of our income. It's also the place our money gets spent and where our personal dreams and goals are pinned. Where our friends are found. Where our customers, our colleagues, and our competitors are found. It has taken me decades to find my place in the sport, a place that is compelling both professionally and personally. Having this grant took some financial pressure off the goal of adding a show jumping course designer license to my resume, and that freedom let me make some decisions that have advanced my education and have helped me reframe my career goals.”

Dec 06, 2023 Convention

Fast Facts: 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

Welcome to the Show Me state and to Area IV USEA members! The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention kicks of tomorrow and features four full days of educational seminars, committee meetings, and social gatherings all with one aim—to bring the eventing community together to continue to improve upon and celebrate the sport that we all love. This year’s Convention takes place in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in downtown St. Louis from Dec. 7-10, and we have rounded up everything you need to know to make the most of your time in the heartland.

Dec 05, 2023 Education

Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community

To accompany the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, USEA Educational Partner STRIDER has prepared Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community. In keeping with the USEA’s mission to expand the sport of eventing, this webinar outlines ways in which digital tools can be leveraged to increase access and education across equestrian opportunities. As part of STRIDER’s popular Professional Development Webinar Series, this presentation aims to provide a quick overview of best practices and digital tools used across the equestrian industry to boost growth.

Dec 05, 2023 Young Event Horse

Young Event Horse Arden Augustus Exceeds All Expectations for Antenucci and White

Every horse who participated this year in the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program has a story—a background that involves a breeder who labored over bloodlines, veterinary care, initial training, and so much more. This year’s highest-placing U.S.-bred horse in the 5-year-old division at the Dutta Corp./USEA Young Event Horse Championships, Arden Augustus, is no exception. His breeder and owner, Anita Antenucci of Arden Farms in Upperville, Virginia, started her program nine years ago and said that the Warmblood gelding was a more emotionally driven breeding for her than others due to his connections with Antenucci’s long-time friend Sharon White.

Dec 04, 2023 Young Event Horse

USEA Podcast #349: All About the USEA Young Event Horse Program

Have you ever wondered why professional riders love bringing their horses through the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program? USEA Podcast host Nicole Brown chats with two of this year's YEH Champions, Caroline Pamukcu who won the USEA YEH 4-year-old East Coast Championship aboard HSH Afterglow, and Andrea Baxter who won the USEA YEH 5-year-old Championship with Camelot PJ, to discuss this year's Championships and all of the great things that the program has to offer.

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