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Feb 19, 2021
In Memoriam: Sue Hershey
The USEA is very sad to share the news that Susanne W. Hershey passed away at her home in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on February 18, 2021, following a long illness. Sue was instrumental in starting the USEA Instructors’ Certification Program (ICP) and contributed greatly to the Association.
Sue was born in 1946 in Rochester, New York, and began riding at the age of 10. She fox hunted as a teenager with the Genesee Valley Hunt in New York, and was a member of the Genesee Valley Hunt Pony Club, competing in rallies and event competitions and finishing as an “A."
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from Radcliffe College, Harvard University, and M.Ed. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, she worked for many years as a high school teacher and the school/college counselor at The Winchester Thurston School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After she convinced her husband that their two small children could not learn to really ride unless their ponies were close to them, horses have lived with them ever since on their suburban property just outside of Pittsburgh. Having evented with success through the Preliminary level, Sue switched to focus on dressage.
Karen O’Connor and Sue started the USEA Instructors’ Certification Program in 2000, together with the equally committed event competitors/instructors who serve on the USEA's ICP Committee, which includes all of ICP's faculty/assessors. Sue facilitated the ICP program until 2018 when she retired from the position. During her tenure, she wrote countless educational articles and worked tirelessly to promote ICP. In 2003 Sue was awarded a USEA Governor’s Cup for her service to the sport. In addition to her work with the USEA, Sue was involved with the Western Pa. Eventing Assoc. Board of Directors for many years as well as organized and managed the Harrison Hills Event.
Sue is survived by her husband of 54 years Dale Hershey, children Lauren Dixon (Michael Rossiter) of Toronto, Canada, and Alex Hershey (Tina) of Pittsburgh, by her brother Stewart W. Wilson (Renate) of Concord, Massachusetts, four grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren. The USEA sends its sincerest condolences to Sue’s family, friends, and connections.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders.
Jun 06, 2023
Profile
“And again, and again, and again”: Knowing When to Come Again and When to Switch Up an Exercise
The great football coach Vince Lombardi said, “We win our games in practice.” With the goal of having the most effective practices possible for horses, their riders, and their coaches, Cathy Wieschhoff explains some signs that can indicate when horse and rider should repeat an exercise, switch it up, or be done with that activity. Wieschhoff brings perspective as a five-star rider that has competed at the Kentucky Three-Day Event and Burghley Horse Trials, a USEF “R” Course Designer for eventing cross-country and show jumping, a former Area VIII chair and member of the USEA Board of Governors, and a Level V USEA ECP Certified Coach based out of Carriage Station Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
Jun 05, 2023
Eventing News
USEF Announces Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for FEI Eventing Nations Cup Poland CCIO4*-NC-S
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Poland CCIO4*-NC-S at the Strzegom Horse Trials (Poland) from June 21-25, 2023. The team will be under the direction of USEF Eventing Emerging and Development Coach Leslie Law.
Jun 05, 2023
Young Event Horse
Become a YEH Judge: USEA Launches YEH New Judge Education Program
The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to announce the launch of the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) New Judge Education Program. Qualifying candidates, who are no longer required to hold a USEF judge’s license, will be encouraged to sign up to participate in the YEH New Judge Education Program to receive certification to judge the Jumping and Galloping phases of Young Event Horse competitions.
Jun 05, 2023
Safety
USEA Podcast #336: Helmet Safety
USEA podcast host Nicole Brown is joined by Dr. Barry Miller of the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab and Catherine Winter of Ride EquiSafe for an important, informative, and engaging discussion about helmet safety. For more than a decade, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has investigated helmets in football, cycling, equestrian sports, and more, collecting more than 2 million data points related to injury and biomechanics research.
