The USEA is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Steve Blauner, a valued USET Foundation trustee and longtime owner for U.S. Eventing Team High Performance Athletes Boyd Martin and Doug Payne.
A dedicated proponent of the syndicate ownership model, he owned six horses through syndicates that represented the U.S. at the Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games, and Pan American Games. An amateur rider himself, Steve also supported up-and-coming eventing athletes both as an owner and through launching the MARS Bromont Rising Program, which provides training and educational opportunities for under-25 athletes.
Steve was a motivated and engaged member of the equestrian community, continuously working to enhance visibility and exposure for the discipline of eventing, as well as ensuring other owners and supporters of the sport were involved with the USET Foundation and its mission. He was also a cornerstone of the equestrian community in Millbrook, New York, and instrumental in running the Millbrook Horse Trials.
A true servant of equestrianism, Steve was a member of the USET Foundation Benefit Committee, the USEF Event Owners Task Force, and greatly contributed to the success of U.S. High Performance Teams. The USEA sends its deepest condolences to Ken Shelley, Steve’s partner, and his family and friends. He will be deeply missed.
Thirty-five five-star horses presented today under sunny skies at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.
If all goes according to plan in the first part of the extended weekend, we will see 36 horses galloping across Derek di Grazia's CCI5*-L cross-country course at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (DK3DE). We partnered up with the team at CrossCountry App to bring you a preview of both the five-star and CCI4*-s tracks this year.
Lights, cameras, action! The first formal horse inspection (which some might informally refer to as "the jog") at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) takes place this afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. While this part of the event is a fan-favorite historically based on the impeccable turnout of the horses and the stylish and forward fashion choices of the riders (we are looking at you Boyd Martin in hopes that you bring back the American flag suit circa 2022), it serves a very important purpose: ensuring that each horse is fit, sound, and ready to compete at the five-star level.
There are so many things to love about the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and the opportunity to peruse the booths of so many amazing vendors is definitely one of them! Don’t forget to stop by the USEA booth, located just behind the Rolex Stadium next to the large Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event booth, to stock up on all of your favorite USEA apparel.