Login
Jan 31, 2024
In Memoriam: Bendigo
The USEA is heartbroken to share the passing of the 22-year-old Saddlebred/Thoroughbred cross Bendigo (by Refuse to Lose). Bendigo was owned by Jeni Klugman and self-produced by U.S.-based Australian rider Ema Klugman to the five-star level.
Ema and "Ben" first made their USEA debut at the Novice level in 2013. The pair worked their way through the levels and made their FEI debut at the then CCI1*, now two-star, level at The Virginia CCI and H.T. in October of 2014. Ben had 18 FEI starts across his career, which includes his five-star debut in 2021 in Kentucky.
After his retirement from upper-level competition in 2021, Julie Bigham, a student of Ema’s, took on the ride, and Ben gave Bigham two wonderful seasons competing at the Training and Modified level. The pair even competed at the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds (Lexington, Kentucky) and finished in the top 15 in the USEA Training Amateur Championship.
Ema shared on social media that Ben had undergone emergency colic surgery a few days prior to his death but suffered complications during his recovery period. She penned the following tribute online on her social media profiles:
“We lost our beautiful Bendigo to surgery complications. I am not often wordless, but it is hard for me to describe what it's like to have him gone. He took me to the top of the sport and gave so many people joy (although not many dressage judges!). I won't forget the feeling he gave me, especially across the country, and I will do my best to remember the infinite lessons he taught me. More recently, he shared those lessons with so many others, and it made me so happy to watch "Professor Ben" loving his job. He was the most generous creature I have ever met.
Ben, I hope you clink a glass with Packy. With the two of you watching, we have no excuse not to do you proud.”
The USEA wishes to share our deepest condolences to Ema, Bigham, and all of Bendigo’s supporters.
Oct 21, 2024
Education
USEA Podcast #372: Maximizing Your Horse's Downtime
One of the biggest parts of preparing for your 2025 season includes taking a look at what your horse's end-of-season schedule looks like. USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown sat down with five-star rider Meghan O'Donoghue about how you can plan for your horse's downtime, however that might look for them, to make the most of your upcoming goals.
Oct 20, 2024
Competitions
Sharon White Clinches CCI3*-L Win at MARS Maryland 5 Star with Jaguars Duende
In the CCI3*-L competition at the MARS Maryland 5 Star, Sharon White, who was part of the U.S. Team that took home silver in the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, jumped from ninth place to first after a spectacular cross-country round on Saturday, and held firmly onto her lead with a clean show jumping round with her 8-year-old Westphalian mare, Jaguars Duende (Jaguar Mail x Latina) finished with a total score of 29.6.
Oct 20, 2024
Eventing News
Ballaghmor Class Turns Townend's Luck Around at MARS Maryland 5 Star
Oliver Townend had no rails in hand heading into today’s show jumping at the MARS Maryland 5 Star, and while his veteran partner, the 17-year-old Irish Sport Horse Ballaghmor Class (Courage II x Kilderry Place), had already won three five-stars over his career, he’d also had a rail or two down on the final day, so a win wasn’t guaranteed.
Oct 20, 2024
Competitions
The Maryland 5 Star Daily: Show Jumping Day
After a day full of cross-country excitement, it's time to move on to the final day of competition at the 2024 MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill. Before we move on to the final phase, show jumping, all of the three-star and five-star horses must present before the Ground Jury one final time at the last Horse Inspection which starts at 9:30 a.m. with the three-star field. The five-star horse inspection will follow immediately after.
