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Aug 17, 2022
In Memoriam: Richard Picken
Richard Mark Picken, 53, lost a courageous battle with cancer on August 13, 2022, dying peacefully at home. Born in the UK, he emigrated to Kentucky in 2013 and became an instant fixture on the US Equestrian Federation’s eventing and show jumping circuits. A top coach and trainer, he traveled throughout the U.S. and overseas with his students to competitions. He enjoyed coaching young riders and training inexperienced horses as much as he thrived under the pressure of an international championship.
With his wife Joanie (Morris), he built a successful training business at Four Schools Farm in Paris, KY. The impact of his knowledge will remain very profound as he traveled around the country teaching clinics. The highlights of his coaching career included Phillip Dutton’s Bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games and Alexandra Baugh’s Individual Gold medal at the North American Young Riders Championships. But he loved the day-to-day of training of horses as much as the big stage. He befriended so many people along the way, and his kindness, profound understanding of horses, and sense of humor resonated with everyone he met around the world.
Along with his wife Joanie, he’s survived by his father David Picken (late mother Suzanne), sister Alexandra Tempest (Andy), aunt Joyce Mitchell (Ed), in-laws Beth, Steve, and Amy Morris, and his beloved dogs. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the USEA Foundation as a grant is being established in his name to educate the next generation of American equestrian athletes or the Rick Herrema Foundation which supports military families.
A celebration of his life will be held in Kentucky for friends and family in the autumn.
May 18, 2025
Education
How to Ride the Horse You Thought You Bought
In this excerpt, trainer and educator Anne Buchannan explains bit contact connection and why it matters for true collection and healthy movement.
May 17, 2025
Education
Eventing 101: The Show Secretary is Your New Best Friend. Here’s How to Keep Them Happy
Familiarizing yourself with the key players at each horse trial is an important step to your success at your next competition. One of those important figures is the show secretary. Think of the show secretary as the mastermind behind most of the organizational efforts related to each horse trial. They manage entries, the show schedule, ride times, stabling, and so much more. Without the hard work of the show secretary and their office staff, a horse trial simply would not be able to operate.
May 16, 2025
Officials
USEA Foundation Announces the Janet Briggs Fund for the Continuing Education of Licensed Officials
The USEA Foundation is pleased to announce a new initiative, the Janet Briggs Fund for the Continuing Education of Licensed Officials. Established in memory of Janet Briggs, this fund honors her lifelong dedication to the sport of eventing by supporting the ongoing education and development of eventing licensed officials.
May 16, 2025
Eventing News
USEA Events A-Z: Hunter’s Run Farm Horse Trials
In the rolling countryside of Metamora, Michigan, there’s a place where eventers gather not just to compete, but to celebrate the spirit of the sport. Area VIII’s Hunter’s Run Farm—home to the Hunter’s Run Farm Horse Trials—has long been a beloved destination for riders across the Midwest, and this year, it’s gearing up for one of its most exciting seasons yet.
