This statement is posted on the behalf of Spring Bay Horse Trials and Organizer Mary Fike.
Lexington, Ky - We are sad to report that National du Pas died today while competing in the Training division at Spring Bay Horse Trials in Lexington, Kentucky. The cause of death is unknown at this point pending necropsy. The horse collapsed between obstacles (i.e. not related to a fence or jump) while on the cross-country course today. Rider Blake Park was not injured in the fall, but was transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for observation.
National du Pas, a 15-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by Elizabeth Stewart, passed away between fences 11 and 12. According to USEF and USEA policies, the horse was transported to the Kentucky Diagnostic Lab for necropsy, which will be utilized to help further the USEA Equine Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research Study.
The USEA sends our heartfelt condolences to Blake, Elizabeth and all of National du Pas’ connections on this difficult day.
The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is proud to announce the first class of USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Judges have completed their certifications through the YEH New Judge Education Program, which was led by YEH faculty member, Marilyn Payne.
Nazila Hejazi and her 20-year-old Missouri Fox Trotter mare, Tessa, may have made for an unconventional pair at the USEA Area VI Championships, held in October at Galway Downs (Temecula, California) but they didn’t let that hold them back. It’s uncommon to see a horse in their twenties still competing in eventing, and even more rare for a gaited horse to compete in a jumping sport.
Today, we pause to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on the powerful moment in 1963 when he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared his vision for a better future. Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech was more than just words; it was a call to action that transcended time, culture, and boundaries—a beacon of hope that continues to inspire.
We’ve all been there—on the horse who pokes his way around the warm-up ring, needs leg, leg, leg coming into the combination, or brings up the rear on every trail ride. None of us wants each and every ride to be a lower-body squeezefest, nor do we wish to do anything with our crop except maybe wave it at that annoying deerfly. In this excerpt from his book The Sport Horse Problem Solver, former international eventer Eric Smiley explains the essential quality of forwardness and how to prepare the horse to expect you to look for it in all that you do together.