Apr 16, 2022

Get to know the USEA Foundation Grants: The Le Samurai Fund

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff
Photo courtesy of Area VII Adult Riders.

Did you know that the USEA Foundation currently administers 15 grants and scholarships designed to help event riders reach their goals? From funds used to assist juniors have access to additional training to aiding up-and-coming riders fund international competition to helping adult amateurs gain education, the current grant opportunities offered by the USEA Foundation has something for almost everyone.

The Le Samurai Grant was established in 2008 by Amy Tryon and Rebecca Broussard in honor of the great five-star horse Le Samurai. Each year the USEA Foundation manages the allocation of $10,000 annually to the Adult Rider Programs (ARP) around the nation to be utilized for educational programs, clinics, camps, and seminars.

The ARP involves more than 1,400 adults age 22 or over, including both amateurs and professionals throughout the country. The ARP also serves as the 'voice' of the nation's amateur eventers, via the newly formed Amateur Forum, a group of USEA committee members representing show organizers, area affairs, competitions, and other committees and reporting back to the adult riders. As one of the largest member groups within the USEA, Adult Riders are also represented on the Board of Governors and thus have an important influence on the direction of the sport. Over the years many areas have made good use of the funding available, increasing their Adult Rider Program activities and membership significantly since that time.

What You Need to Know

Each grant is distributed throughout the USEA’s fiscal year which ends on November 30. The Area Chair should fill out one application form per year and have the principal organizer sign it and send it to the USEA. Grants will be allocated on a “first come” basis. Upon approval, the funds will be forwarded to the Area Treasurer. The maximum grant request is $1,000 per annum. The final report for this education program must be forwarded to the USEA. Funds from one fiscal year cannot be rolled over to another year.

Access the application for the Le Samurai Fund here.

How Areas Have Recently Used Funding from the Le Samurai Fund

Area IV Chair Jill Wagenknecht and her horse "Merlin" participating in the clinic put on with monies received from the Le Samurai Fund. Photo courtesy of Julie Sharits-Simmons


Area IV: “In 2021, Area IV used the Le Samurai grant to help offset the expenses of holding an adult rider clinic and camp on July 10-11,” said Area IV Adult Rider Coordinator Julie Sharits-Simmons. “The clinic was held at Longview Horse Park in Grandview, Missouri, and taught by USEA ICP Certified instructor Brad Hall. It was a great weekend! Day one of the clinic focused on show jumping and gymnastics in the arena. Day one was cross-country. The clinic had about 20 participants, mostly adult riders! We also plan to apply for the Le Samurai Grant for our 2022 clinic with Lillian Heard which will be held July 30-31 at Sundance Farm in Plymouth, Wisconsin. We are so grateful for the generosity of Amy Tryon and the Broussard family.”

Area VII participants in the Adult Rider annual camp. Photo courtesy of Maggie Rikard.

Area VII: “The grant has been a huge benefit to the Area VII Adult Rider program,” said Area VIII Adult Rider Coordinator Maggie Rikard. “We use it every year to offset some of the expenses of educational activities, usually our annual camp. This enables us to keep the cost of entries very reasonable. We strive to break even at the most. The camps are educational and fun. Many new to the sport folks have made great connections, friendships as well as positive riding experiences.”

Dec 06, 2023 Convention

Fast Facts: 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

Welcome to the Show Me state and to Area IV USEA members! The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention kicks of tomorrow and features four full days of educational seminars, committee meetings, and social gatherings all with one aim—to bring the eventing community together to continue to improve upon and celebrate the sport that we all love. This year’s Convention takes place in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in downtown St. Louis from Dec. 7-10, and we have rounded up everything you need to know to make the most of your time in the heartland.

Dec 05, 2023 Education

Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community

To accompany the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, USEA Educational Partner STRIDER has prepared Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community. In keeping with the USEA’s mission to expand the sport of eventing, this webinar outlines ways in which digital tools can be leveraged to increase access and education across equestrian opportunities. As part of STRIDER’s popular Professional Development Webinar Series, this presentation aims to provide a quick overview of best practices and digital tools used across the equestrian industry to boost growth.

Dec 05, 2023 Young Event Horse

Young Event Horse Arden Augustus Exceeds All Expectations for Antenucci and White

Every horse who participated this year in the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program has a story—a background that involves a breeder who labored over bloodlines, veterinary care, initial training, and so much more. This year’s highest-placing U.S.-bred horse in the 5-year-old division at the Dutta Corp./USEA Young Event Horse Championships, Arden Augustus, is no exception. His breeder and owner, Anita Antenucci of Arden Farms in Upperville, Virginia, started her program nine years ago and said that the Warmblood gelding was a more emotionally driven breeding for her than others due to his connections with Antenucci’s long-time friend Sharon White.

Dec 04, 2023 Young Event Horse

USEA Podcast #349: All About the USEA Young Event Horse Program

Have you ever wondered why professional riders love bringing their horses through the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program? USEA Podcast host Nicole Brown chats with two of this year's YEH Champions, Caroline Pamukcu who won the USEA YEH 4-year-old East Coast Championship aboard HSH Afterglow, and Andrea Baxter who won the USEA YEH 5-year-old Championship with Camelot PJ, to discuss this year's Championships and all of the great things that the program has to offer.

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