This #GivingTuesday the USEA Foundation is placing the focus on horsemanship and the care of our equine partners. USEA President Max Corcoran has made improving horsemanship the centerpiece of her administration. To enable this to happen Corcoran teamed up with Dr. Mark Revenaugh and the USEA Foundation to create the Poggio Horsemanship Fund in 2019.
“The Poggio Horsemanship Fund is an exciting start to helping us to educate riders, owners, grooms, and eventing enthusiasts to give their horses every benefit when it comes to improving their lives,” said Corcoran. “It will allow the USEA Foundation to provide funding for research, speakers, and anything else we may need to make the lives of all horses better.”
A common statement heard during horse activities is that good horsemanship has been declining in recent years. To reverse this trend better education is needed at all levels of the sport. Thanks in part to the USEA Foundation and the horsemanship fund, leading experts are being brought in for in-person, virtual, and live-streamed educational opportunities for all eventers. As an example, Dr. Revenaugh himself will serve as the keynote speaker during the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention. Corcoran is also bringing forward new initiatives to grow horsemanship education and better involve professional experts such as grooms, veterinarians, researchers, and coaches in those educational offerings. Many of these topics are slated to be discussed or approved during the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention December 9-12.
Since the creation of the Poggio Horsemanship Fund the community has raised over $30,000 in donations and we are committed to seeing this fund grow to the point that it can self-sustain in the years to come. The USEA Foundation is thankful to you, our donors, for your generous support over the years. We are also asking you, our friends, on this Giving Tuesday, to show your love of the sport and commitment to its long-term success by donating to the USEA Foundation. All donations are fully tax-deductible and will be gratefully received and recognized as we work to improve the well-being of our horses in the years ahead.
Please visit USEAFoundation.org and donate today to benefit eventing's future. We wish you a safe and happy holiday season!
About the USEA Foundation
The fundamental mission of the USEA Foundation is to protect and preserve the sport of eventing for future generations and to provide support for the core educational, safety, and equine welfare programs of the USEA. In addition, the Foundation administers educational grants for riders with the intent of preparing them to reach their goals. Learn more about the USEA Foundation at www.useafoundation.org.
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
Last month, readers met VIP Volunteer Rebecca Proetto, who volunteered at the MARS Maryland 5 Star horse inspection. This month, the focus turns to husband and wife Ed and Leanne Barnett who introduced Proetto to the art of running an efficient horse inspection at Maryland. Ed and Leanne undertake a 12-hour drive from their home in Indiana to Maryland just to volunteer at the event.
The USEA is saddened to share the passing of Sara Kozumplik’s five-star partner As You Like It at the age of 34. The gelding died in his sleep at his retirement home at Kozumplik's parents' residence.
The 2024 USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) National Camp is just a little over a month away and all over the country, young riders are preparing for their trip to Ocala, Florida, to participate in this year's prestigious week-long academy led by U.S. eventing legend David O'Connor. This year's camp takes place Dec. 31, 2024, through Jan. 4, 2025, and will feature classroom sessions, guest lecturers, and in the saddle work as a group to help strengthen the foundation of each rider selected to participate.