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Feb 26, 2024
In Memoriam: More Inspiration
The USEA is saddened to report that Canadian eventer Holly Jacks-Smither's five-star horse More Inspiration died on Feb. 19. He was 18.
Bred in Canada by Display Farm, the Thoroughbred gelding (Inspired Prospect x Gentle Buck) started 28 times at the track and had four wins.
Jacks-Smither bought "Morris" when he was 4 as a resale project, but after he completed his first CCI2*-L in 2012, she decided to keep him.
While Morris was tricky, Jacks-Smither never gave up on him. They completed their first CCI4*-L at Jersey Fresh (Allentown, New Jersey) in 2015, then were selected to represent Canada at the Aachen CCIO4*-S in Germany that summer.
They completed the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2017 and the Pau CCI5*-L (France) in 2019. Their last competition was the Stable View CCI4*-S (Aiken, South Carolina) in March 2021.
"My $2,000 sales investment who I couldn’t sell stuck around to change my life," said Jacks-Smither in a Facebook post. "If it wasn’t for you, Morris, I would have been on a totally different career path. You taught me that hard work truly pays off; that thinking outside the box is a must to be successful with the tricky ones; that a big heart matters more than confirmation; and that hard work and perseverance get results. From a gallop girl at Woodbine Race track where we met, to my first Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany, my first five-star at Kentucky, and my first European five-star in Pau, France… we did it all together. I’ll never have another horse like you.
"Thank you for challenging me, teaching me and giving me so much joy," she continued. "But most importantly, thank you for being my soul mate and making me believe that life can be changed because of one special OTTB and a dream."
The USEA sends our condolences to Jacks-Smither and all of those who shared connections with Morris.
Oct 25, 2024
Young Event Horse
A Small But Mighty Field of Youngsters Kicks Off The Dutta Corp. USEA YEH West Coast Championships
The sun was shining, and the young horses came to impress on day 1 of The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) West Coast Championships at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California. Five 4-year-olds and 13 5-year-olds were presented to judges Sally Ike in the dressage ring and Christian Schact in conformation to cap off a short but sweet start to the week.
Oct 25, 2024
Classic Series
Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event Sees Two New Winners Crowned
The Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event hosted two USEA Classic Series divisions from Oct. 16-20 in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-nine horse and rider pairs contested the Training Three-Day, while 32 were in the Novice Three-Day. Read on to learn more about the winners!
Oct 25, 2024
AEC
James Baxter Proves Success Doesn’t Require a Fancy Pedigree
2020 was a year of extreme change for the world as the COVID-19 pandemic spread. After enduring lockdowns and restrictions, people’s priorities changed. For some, it was a year of transformation. Adult amateur Susan Hamblen was one of those people, ready to quit riding until she met a young pinto crossbred of unknown breeding in rural eastern Pennsylvania who would change her life.
Oct 24, 2024
Young Event Horse
Fast Facts: 2024 Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse West Coast Championships
The second event in the two-leg Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Championships starts tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 18 at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California and continues through Saturday, Oct. 19. Today, competitors have one more chance to earn their spot in the Dutta. Corp YEH West Coast Championships this week during Twin Rivers’ Last Chance Qualifier, which will see one 4-year-old and five 5-year-olds attempt to secure a 70% of higher to finalize their qualification.
