Nov 10, 2024

Final Countdown to the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

By Kaleigh Collett - USEA Staff | Press Release
Rachel Jones Media photo

In just one month, USEA members from near and far will converge on Seattle, Washington for the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention at The Westin Seattle on December 12-15. The Convention Schedule is already overflowing with exciting educational sessions and thought-provoking presentations, there is still more to come in the weeks ahead. Don’t miss your chance to register for this can’t-miss end-of-year event!

Accommodations

The holidays can be a high-spending season for most, so who wouldn’t love to save a bit of money? USEA Members have less than two weeks left to reserve a room at The Westin Seattle through the USEA room block. After November 19, the USEA room block rate will expire and rates will increase. Availability is limited, so click here to reserve your room at the discounted $179 rate today. This is over $50 in savings compared to regular booking sites, and prices will continue to increase as the event approaches.

Registration

Click here to register for the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention today. The most cost-effective registration option for this year’s convention, which gives you access to all open meetings Thursday through Saturday and includes one ticket to the Annual Meeting of Members Luncheon on Saturday, is a full convention pass. Full convention passes are $275 per person for Full or Life USEA members or $150 per person for Junior and Collegiate USEA members if purchased during the early-bird window, which closes on December 11. On December 12, prices will increase to $290 for Full or Life members or $175 for Junior and Collegiate members, so don’t wait to submit your registration!

If you can’t make it for the whole event, single day passes are also available for purchase. On Thursday and Friday, single day passes are $150 per day, while a Saturday pass can be purchased for $175. Are you interested in attending Chris Barnard’s Show Jumping Course Design Seminar on Thursday? Individual tickets to this seminar can be purchased separately for $50 per person.

NEW: Hoof Dreams Screening

A new evening activity has been added to the schedule for Saturday, December 14, that is free for all convention attendees enjoy. Emmy-nominated filmmaker, Jessie Deeter, will join us to present her film Hoof Dreams, which was filmed over the three years leading up to and at the Tokyo Olympics, and follows Germany’s gifted Julia Krajewski, America’s relentless Tamie Smith, and Puerto Rico’s resilient Lauren Billys. The movie highlights these three incredible female athletes’ battle for respect and equality in this fiercely competitive sport and celebrates the intrepid women daring to disrupt the status quo. The screening will be hosted in Grand Ballroom III starting at 6:30 p.m. PT.

To view the official schedule for the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, click here. This page includes information on each presentation, speaker biographies, and more. *Please note that some meetings may shift, so we recommend that you continue to check the schedule regularly for updates.

Special Events & Activities

Open to All

  • Thursday, Dec. 12 at 3:00 p.m. – USEA Board of Governors Opening Meeting
  • Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6:00 p.m. – USEA Board of Governors Welcome Reception
  • Friday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. – Area VII Welcome Reception & Poker Tournament
  • Saturday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. – Hoof Dreams Screening with Producer Jessie Deeter
  • Sunday, Dec. 15 at 9:00 a.m. – USEA Board of Governors Closing Meeting

Tickets are available for purchase for the following functions and may be purchased here:

  • Friday, Dec. 13 at 12:00 p.m. – USEA Year End Awards Luncheon - A single awards lunch ticket is $100. For those interested in attending with a group, a table for 8 people is $800 or a table for 10 people is $1,000.
  • Friday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. – Poker Tournament during the Area VII Welcome Reception – Buy-in for the tournament is $125 per person and additional chips can be purchased in $25 increments.
  • Saturday, Dec. 14 at 12:00 p.m. – USEA Annual Meeting of Members Luncheon and Keynote Presentation by Tik Maynard – One ticket is included in each Full Registration. Additional tickets can be purchased for $75 per person.

Awards and Grants

At the Year End Awards Luncheon and the Annual Meeting of Members Luncheon, the USEA will honor the great achievements our members have accomplished this past year. The presentations will include the USEA leaderboard of champions presented by Nunn Finer, the overall leaderboard champions, appreciation awards, and the USEA Foundation grants:

  • Leaderboard Champions presented by Nunn Finer (Starter through Advanced)
  • World Equestrian Brands USEA Rider of the Year
  • Bates USEA Lady Rider of the Year
  • RevitaVet USEA Young Rider of the Year
  • USEA Adult Amateur of the Year
  • Standlee USEA Horse of the Year
  • Bates USEA Mare of the Year
  • SmartPak USEA Stallion of the Year
  • SmartPak USEA Pony of the Year
  • USEA Classic Series Modified Three-Day Winner presented by Bates Saddles
  • USEA Classic Series Training Three-Day Winner presented by D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis
  • USEA Classic Series Novice Three-Day Winner presented by D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis
  • USEA Classic Series Beginner Novice Three-Day Winner presented by Bates Saddles
  • USEA Volunteer of the Year
  • ERAofNA As You Like It Above and Beyond Owners' Award
  • ERAofNA Above & Beyond Event Personnel Award
  • ERAofNA Amateur Impact Award
  • Liz Cochran Memorial Groom's Award
  • USEA Foundation Grants
  • Governor's Cups
  • Wofford Cup
  • Cornerstone Instructors Award
  • Andrew H. Popiel Memorial Trophy
  • Vintage Cup
  • Courtney C. Reeves Memorial Trophy

Is your company interested in being a vendor at this year’s convention? Download the vendor application here, or email Jennifer Hardwick at [email protected] for more information.

Don’t forget to take advantage of your USEA Member Rewards Program by signing up and using TripPlanet for your next travel booking. Login or create your account today at app.tripplanet.com/enrollment/invite/USEA to start saving! Additional travel reward options available through the USEA Member Rewards program can be found here.

If you have any questions about the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in Seattle, WA on December 12-15, 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, Mrs. Pastures Cookies for Horses, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, Parker Equine Insurance, PulseVet Shock Wave, Rebecca Farm, RevitaVet, Ride iQ, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartPak, Standlee, and World Equestrian Brands.

Dec 21, 2024 Education

3 Ways to Help Eventing Thrive in 2025

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.

Dec 20, 2024 Sponsor

“Happy Horse Equals Happy Judge”: Ask An Expert with Dressage Judge Peter Gray, Brought to You by Ride iQ

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.

Dec 19, 2024 Volunteers

The VIP Volunteer: Cathy Hale Has A Thirst for Adventure and a Love for Volunteering

With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.

Dec 18, 2024 Association News

USEA Office Closed for Holidays

The USEA office will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and will reopen again on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The USEA staff will return emails and phone calls when the office re-opens on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 or at their earliest convenience.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA

Official Shockwave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA