The 2016 Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships are just around the corner! This year the competition moves to a new location at the beautiful Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina. From the most state of the art cross-country course eventing has ever seen to the endless entertainment provided for competitors and spectators alike, this is going to be one AEC that you don’t want to miss.
So how do you ensure yourself a front row seat to all the action? By signing up as a volunteer!
This year volunteers will receive complimentary meals, a ticket to the Welcome Party on Thursday evening and goodie bags including Tryon and USEA swag as well as various assorted other items from sponsors.
Being a volunteer means you’ll get to be up close and personal with some of the top athletes in our sport. You never know who you may meet volunteering. Top riders like Buck Davidson, Lainey Ashker and Tamra Smith are frequent AEC competitors and with the new location we’re excited to invite even more professionals!
As it’s been said many times before, volunteers are truly the backbone of Eventing. Without our volunteers it would be impossible to keep horse trials running smoothly.
No previous experience with eventing is required. Horse lovers of all skill levels and backgrounds are welcome. There’s a job for everyone, even if you’re competing at the AEC, we encourage you to take some time and give back to the sport, so inquire about being a volunteer today!
You can sign up using the USEA’s AEC Volunteer sign up page or contact Volunteer Coordinator Jerri Lance at [email protected]
Eventers who are new to the sport may feel a little overwhelmed by the often-misunderstood world of saddle fitting. Riders are often bombarded with information from peers online or self-described experts, putting them at risk of following bad advice related to equipment that impacts horse welfare perhaps more than any other piece of tack. Finding a qualified expert to answer these questions is crucial. Who better to turn to than both a qualified Master Saddle Fitter and a fourth-generation saddle designer to answer some of these questions?
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
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.
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.