High-performance sport, gender-equality, and female empowerment take center stage in the exciting film, "Hoof Dreams," which follows the journeys of top international eventers Tamie Smith, Lauren Billys, and Julia Krajewski on the road to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. At this year's USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in Seattle, Washington, meet Emmy-nominated filmmaker and director of "Hoof Dreams," Jessie Deeter, and one of the movie's stars, Smith, in-person during an exclusive screening for USEA Members on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 14. Purchase your ticket here.
As equestrians, we take great pride in participating in a sport that allows men and women to compete on an even playing field with one another, but did you know that there had never been a female individual gold medalist in eventing prior to 2020? The sport debuted at the Olympic level during the 1912 Stockholm Games and was originally only open to male military personnel. Then, in 1964 at the Tokyo Olympic Games, women were afforded the opportunity to compete against their male counterparts. In today's day and age, it can be hard to image a time when women weren't dominating at the top of the sport, and it seems only fitting that our first female champion, another one of the movie's stars, Krajewski, broke this record in Tokyo again during the 2020 Games.
Filmed over the five years leading up to and at the Tokyo Olympics, viewers will watch Germany’s Krajewski, America’s Smith, and Puerto Rico’s Billys navigate the highs and lows of chasing their dreams to Olympic glory. "Hoof Dreams" highlights the battle for respect and equality in this fiercely competitive sport and celebrates the intrepid women daring to disrupt the status quo.
At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, attendees are invited to join us in Grand Ballroom III for a screening of the film, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with Deeter and Smith, who will be in attendance, and Krajewski and Billys, who will participate virtually. Admission to the screening comes complimentary with all Full and Collegiate/Junior registrations for the Annual Meeting & Convention. Additional tickets for family members, friends, or single-day attendees can be purchased here for $15 per person. Movie snacks will be provided for attendees!
If you have any questions about the "Hoof Dreams" screening or the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, please contact Jennifer Hardwick by email at [email protected] or by phone (703) 779-0440, ext. 3003.
About the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention
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 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will take place in Seattle, Washington, on Dec. 12—15. Click here to learn more about the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention.
The USEA would like to thank the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention Sponsors: Adequan, ARMA, Bates Saddles, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Gallops Saddlery, Horse & Country, Kerrits, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, Parker Equine Insurance, PulseVet Shock Wave, Rebecca Farm, RevitaVet, Ride iQ, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartPak, Standlee, and World Equestrian Brands.
The Southern Arizona Eventing Association (SAzEA) Fall Horse Trials in Tucson, Arizona, was the host to the final USEA Area Championship of the 2024 season. The Area X Championship offered four divisions at the Training, Novice, Beginner Novice, and Starter levels. Get to know each of the horse and rider pairs who rose to the challenge in Arizona this year below!
With the end of the year just a few weeks away, the dream team of USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown, USEA CEO Rob Burk, USEA President Lou Leslie, and Equiratings' Diarm Byrne, all got together to look back on the ups and the downs of the 2024 U.S. eventing season. This is an episode you won't want to miss as we gear up for what is to come in 2025!
The 2025 ECP Symposium, Hosted by Galway Downs is just over a month away, which means it is time to submit your registration for this must-attend educational event. On Jan. 14-16, interested attendees will converge on Temecula, California, for an important, impactful, and interactive experience focusing on honing the evaluation skills of coaches at all levels by identifying the correct, incremental steps of progression needed for each individual horse and rider combination.
The Godshall Accessibility Report, created by the United States Eventing Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, aims to honor Christopher Godshall’s legacy by addressing accessibility challenges within the sport of eventing. Inspired by Godshall’s own struggles with mobility due to Myasthenia Gravis, the report underscores the importance of creating inclusive environments for riders, spectators, volunteers, and others involved in the sport.