Will Faudree shared the news yesterday that his legendary event horse, Antigua, passed away at the age of 32. In a Facebook post he said:
“I always thought I would have something profound to write. A eulogy that would encapsulate the impact you had on my life. And maybe those words will come. You taught me what a work ethic is, how to think in slow motion and how to just keep going. You laid the foundation for a career I dreamed of as a kid. Thank you will never be enough. I will miss you every day- rest easy my friend.”
Antigua was a Thoroughbred bred in Australia by Match Winner and out of Great Mistake. He was found in Australia by Phillip Dutton who Will Faudree worked for as a young rider and “Brad” was imported and began a partnership with Faudree. Together with Faudree he earned 957 lifetime points and currently sits in 13th on the all-time USEA historical leaderboard. In their many years of partnership, their cross-country record was spotless and had over 25 top-five places.
Highlights of Faudree and Antigua’s career include a fourth place at the 2002 Fair Hill CCI3* (now CCI4*-L), 12th place at the 2003 Kentucky Three-Day Event, 10th at the 2004 Kentucky Three-Day Event (Modified), 22nd at the 2005 Badminton Horse Trials, second at the 2005 Fair Hill CCI3* (now CCI4*-L), and 21st at the 2007 Burghley Horse Trials.
They represented the U.S. at both the Pan American Games in 2003 where they finished individually in sixth place and were members of the gold-medal-winning U.S. Team and at the 2006 World Equestrian Games where they earned a top-20 spot.
“I got Brad in my last year as a young rider; he took me to my first three-star, my first four-star, my first team, my first Worlds, and my first European trip,” said Faudree in an article in 2009. “Brad is that horse that made me. His work ethic, his passion for his career, is incomparable to any horse I’ve sat on since. I’ll have horses in my career who are better than him in some ways, but Antigua can never be replaced.”
Antigua officially retired at the age of 20 during a ceremony at the 2009 Southern Pines Horse Trials.
The USEA sends its sincerest condolences to Faudree and all of Antigua’s connections.
The USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) has initiated a renewed focus on the diverse challenges coaches in various regions of the country may be facing. To this end, the program is in the process of enlisting representatives in each of the 10 USEA areas to help guide the program as warranted for the unique needs of each specific area.
The United States Eventing Association (USEA) has opened nominations for the annual appreciation awards through Oct. 29. This is an opportunity for the sport to recognize those horses and riders who excelled in eventing throughout the year. It is also an opportunity to recognize and honor the very important people who have served the sport tirelessly both in a non-riding capacity and riding capacity during their golden years.
Anticipation for the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship and inaugural USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Championship is growing, and the host venue, Stable View, is up for the task of making both events an unforgettable experience for all involved. For the first time, the Intercollegiate and IEL program championships will be hosted on the same weekend at the Stable View H.T. in Aiken, South Carolina, on May 4-5, 2024, creating greater unity between the programs and demonstrating a clear pipeline of participation in the sport from grade school through college and beyond.
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has made five rule changes which will go into effect October 1, 2023. Familiarize yourself with these rule changes below to make sure you are in compliance before heading out for your next event.