This year a new class will be joining the 47 eventing legends currently in the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Eventing Hall of Fame. Induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor awarded within the sport of eventing in the United States. Those invited to join the USEA's Eventing Hall of Fame have truly made a difference in the sport of eventing. Hall of Fame members have included past Association presidents, volunteers, riders, founders, course designers, officials, organizers, horses, horse owners, and coaches.
Typically, a new group is inducted into the Hall of Fame every four years. The USEA is delighted to be welcoming a new Hall of Fame class this year. These members of the eventing community will be honored for their accomplishments, contributions, and lifelong dedication to the sport of eventing with a formal induction ceremony at the Hall of Fame Gala at the 2022 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention taking place this year in Savannah, Georgia from December 7-11.
The fifth and final inductee of 2022 was extended to the late Colonel Harry D. Chamberlin. Jim Wofford compares the work of Chamberlin in the equestrian community to that of Mozart and was quoted saying, “We are the beneficiaries of Col. Chamberlin’s genius, and horses around the world live far more comfortable and productive lives because of his work.”
Chamberlin, who competed in both eventing and show jumping, was a graduate of American, French, and Italian cavalry schools for advanced equitation. He competed in the Olympic Games of 1920, 1928, and 1932, in addition to countless national and international competitions. Highlights of his career include earning a Team Gold medal for the Military, which are the roots from which the current-day form of eventing originated from, and an Individual Silver Medal for the Prix des Nations in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.
In addition to his accomplishments in the saddle, Chamberlin is remembered for his talents as an author. His books “Riding and Schooling Horses” (1932) and “Training Hunters, Jumpers and Hacks” (1937) are still influential in the education of equestrians across disciplines today. Chamberlin spearheaded the movement to revolutionize the sport of eventing and that of equestrian sport in the U.S. through his horsemanship foundations which were based upon French and Italian principles.
Want to learn more about the USEA’s Eventing Hall of Fame and read about the current members? Click here.
The USEA Area VI Championships took place at Galway Downs in Temecula, California, from Oct. 30-Nov. 3. We caught up with some of the winners!
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
Bec Braitling is passionate about continuing education in the sport of eventing— not just for riders, but for coaches as well.
Over the course of the last few weeks, we’ve been inundated by horrific images of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Horse people all share a common bond, and that sense of community extends beyond Area 2. In light of this, Eileen Pritchard-Bryan has generously offered to partner with us on a USEF/USEA & FEI Eventing rules refresher webinar as a fundraiser for those affected by the recent hurricanes.