Area VI and its sponsors have not been immune to the economic impacts of 2020. In order to continue providing amazing programs and events we need your help.
As we get ready to close the books on this year, we, like so many other businesses across the country (and around the globe) are assessing the impact 2020 has had on our bottom line. With our eventing calendar cut to a fraction of normal this year we are looking at heavy losses from reduced event fees, an absence of fundraisers, as well as camps, clinics, and a myriad of other revenue-generating opportunities which were halted due to the global Coronavirus pandemic.
Normally, we as an Area each year put together an auction event to raise much-needed funds for our Young Riders, Adult Riders, and the Area Administration. This year, after serious consideration, the Area VI Council deemed it to be inappropriate to reach out to our wonderful sponsors asking for contributions (merchandise, travel accommodations, services, etc.) at a time when many are just trying to keep their doors open. Yet, we must raise income to springboard us towards gaining some financial recovery in 2021.
So often, in times of hardship, we must look within and find a solution. This year we are asking our membership - each and every member - to take part in our year-end Appeal by making a $50 tax-deductible contribution to Area VI.
While it is understood that some may need to give less, and others may be in a position to give above the $50 ask, the importance lies with 100 percent participation from our community. The responsibility to rebound from the setbacks faced this year rests with each and every one of us here in Area VI and together we can set the foundation for a strong comeback in 2021.
As the Area VI Council, we ask for your support in sharing this campaign with your students, friends, and all Area VI members. We have created a flyer you can download here to share via text and email.
Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
Thank you for your participation and support,
The Area VI Council
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.
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.
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.