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.
Last month, readers met VIP Volunteer Rebecca Proetto, who volunteered at the MARS Maryland 5 Star horse inspection. This month, the focus turns to husband and wife Ed and Leanne Barnett who introduced Proetto to the art of running an efficient horse inspection at Maryland. Ed and Leanne undertake a 12-hour drive from their home in Indiana to Maryland just to volunteer at the event.
The USEA is saddened to share the passing of Sara Kozumplik’s five-star partner As You Like It at the age of 34. The gelding died in his sleep at his retirement home at Kozumplik's parents' residence.
The 2024 USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) National Camp is just a little over a month away and all over the country, young riders are preparing for their trip to Ocala, Florida, to participate in this year's prestigious week-long academy led by U.S. eventing legend David O'Connor. This year's camp takes place Dec. 31, 2024, through Jan. 4, 2025, and will feature classroom sessions, guest lecturers, and in the saddle work as a group to help strengthen the foundation of each rider selected to participate.
Bringing along a young horse is such a special process for everyone involved. The USEA is excited to dedicate an episode to celebrating some of the special young horses in the United States that have risen to the occasion. Joining USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown in this episode are Tommy Greengard, the rider and co-owner of this year's Holekamp/Turner Grant Recipient That's Me Z who represented the U.S. at Le Lion this year, and Kaylawna Smith-Cook, who piloted Bonner Carpenter's Only-Else to the highest national score in the Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse 5-Year-Old Championships.