For Immediate Release: After dressage, it was Tommy Greengard who led the pack of talented horses and riders in the USEA Intermediate Championship at the 2022 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds on a score of 25.3 aboard his own 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Joshuay MBF (Foreign Affair x Fernacchy MBF). Heading into day two the duo, who both moved up to the level this year took to Ian Stark’s cross-country course and laid down a solid trip, but ultimately settled into second place behind Travis Atkinson and his own 13-year-old Zweibrucker gelding Don Darco (Damarco x Gong Lee) after accruing 7.4-time penalties.
Within striking distance of the title, Greengard knew he and Joshuay MBF has a chance at taking home the ultimate victory. Noting that “Josh” has a strong jump, Greengard reflected that they have had a green rail at every event this season. Honing in on their show jumping training at home, the pair walked into the arena at Rebecca Farm this afternoon hot and ready to roll. “He has won a lot,” the rider commented, “but it has not always been finishing on his dressage score this year. To have a double clear round was all that I was going for today. He is so amazing and he tried his guts out. We have been working really hard on the show jumping to get this moment. To have it come together today was huge.”
Adding to the thrill of the win was the fact that Greengard and Josh were surrounded by their entire team and family. “You always hope that these moments happen when everyone is there, the whole team. It is definitely a team. We brought everybody to this event. My parents and cousins flew in, and my coach and her entire family are here. They were actually here last year as well when he won the two-star in the summer, so we couldn't be happier. We are thrilled. It is so nice to have everyone here with us.”
Greengard’s crew of supporters cheered as he and Josh took to the edge of the ring for their victory gallop where Josh decided it would be fun to add a little spice to the tradition. Completing the first half of the lap at a nice pace, Josh picked up the pace for the last half as the crowd roared and Greengard gathered his reins with a giant smile on his face. The horse’s bubbly and silly personality is part of what makes him such a favorite in the barn.
“He is the best, he will lick you from top to bottom,” said Greengard with a laugh. “He is ridiculous, but he is also super sensitive and loves his people. He has his main people and you cannot walk through the crossties without acknowledging him, because he comes absolutely unglued. And then if he doesn’t know somebody, he stands in the back corner of the crossties and he just waits. He is very funny in some of those regards.”
Looking back at the entire weekend, it was the cross-country phase that stands out to Greengard. “I think the biggest highlight for me was how well he handled the cross-country. This was both of our first season at the level and he came here last summer and ran around the two-star long and skipped around and was amazing. So to come here and walk the Intermediate and feel it was very possible, then to ride it and know it was very possible, it was awesome. We put a lot into preparing him for here, so for him to meet those expectations and more was great.”
James Alliston laid claim to not only the second place finish in the USEA Intermediate Championship, but also to the third place spot as well. Second-place honors went to Golly Martin’s 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding Monkey (Escudo II x Fasten Your Seatbelt R) with Alliston in the saddle.
Wearing the yellow ribbon was Karma (Escudo II x Travita), the 8-year-old Oldenburg mare owned by Alliston Equestrian LLC.
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About the USEA American Eventing Championships
The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is the pinnacle of the sport at the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Beginner Novice to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of horses and riders from around the country to compete for fabulous prizes, a piece of the substantial prize money, and the chance to be named the National Champion at their respective levels. In fact, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2022 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held August 31 – September 4 at the beautiful Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.
The USEA would like to thank Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles Gold Level Sponsors: Parker Equine Insurance, Smartpak, Capital Square, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Mountain Horse, The Jockey Club, Kerrits; Bronze Level Sponsors: Athletux, The Chronicle of the Horse, Dubarry of Ireland, FITS Riding, Equilume, Devoucoux, Fifth Third Bank, Gallops Saddlery, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Clark Nissan; Contributing Level Sponsors: CrossCountry App, WeRideTogether, Haygain, First Interstate Bank, Schellinger Construction, Glacier Bank, Animal Health Solutions Inc., Discover Kalispell; Prize Level Sponsors: Vet Blue, Practical Horseman, Hound & Hare, Strides of Equality Equestrians, Horse & Country TV, Bemer Independent Distributors, Freelance Design, Achieve Equine/FLAIR, Flexible Fit Equestrian USA, and more! ATC Sponsors: The Chronicle of the Horse, FITS Riding, Nutrena Feeds, SmartPak, Achieve Equine/FLAIR, Kerrits, and Horse & Country TV
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.
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.
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.
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.