The USEA is sad to share the news that Daniel Starck passed away on December 13, 2020 at the age of 69 due to a rare form of liver cancer (Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma).
Dan had been a cross-country course builder since 1985, when he helped build the courses at the Kentucky Three-Day Event. Since then, he built courses all over the East and Midwest, including North Georgia, Foxhall, Virginia Horse Center, Poplar Place, Chattahoochee Hills, Maui Jim, Wayne, and the 2007-2010 USEA American Eventing Championships.
Dan was the co-chair of the USEA Designers and Builders Committee. He was the 2005 recipient of the USEA’s “Posthole Digger” award and was the author of the Frangible Pin Handbook. Dan was very generous with his time and held course building seminars at the AEC as well as donating fences to the event site.
Originally from Aurora, Illinois, Dan settled in Carbondale, Illinois where he attended Southern Illinois University in the early 1970s. He was also known for his fine wood craftsmanship, stained glass, historic restoration, and home building/renovations.
Dan is survived by his fiancé Jan Zwak, daughter Ellie Burkey, granddaughters Zeppelynn Burkey and Josselynn Burkey, and step-daughters and step-granddaughters Alyss, Camilla, Sophia, and Kiera Zwak.
The USEA sends sincere condolences to Dan's family, friends, and connections.
A field of top veteran riders is entered in this year’s Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, a US Equestrian Open Eventing Series Qualifier, at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, which returns to the Kentucky Horse Park, April 24-27.
Trainers are some of the most important people in our lives. They develop our skills, ensure that our horses receive quality care, and look out for our best interests as equestrians.
The USEA is saddened to hear of the passing of Margaret Joyce Good of Leesburg, Virginia. Margaret passed away peacefully Thursday, February 27, 2025. Born October 8, 1929, in Clay Township, Iowa, she was the daughter of the late Clark and Jane Pfiefer.
At The Event at TerraNova last November, Canadian Jessica Phoenix narrowly missed winning the CCI4*-L with Fluorescent Adolescent, finishing second overall with two rails down. Today, the Olympic veteran found redemption and not only won the B&D Builders CCI4*-S with Freedom GS, but finished second once again with Fluorescent Adolescent.