I can honestly say I have never looked forward to the start of a new year more than I have now. For Equestrian Events (EEI), our 2020 was filled by the sadness caused by the cancellation of the Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Kentucky Invitational Grand Prix, and finally the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds. The challenges caused by 2020 will linger for many years, but we are resilient.
And while EEI had challenges, we know you did too. In the last year you may have lost a job, seen friends get sick, or sadly lost a loved one. We are sorry for any hardships of 2020 you experienced. For you too, the challenges caused by 2020 will linger for many years. But we also know that you are resilient.
For months the single most asked question we’ve heard is, “What will the 2021 Kentucky Three-Day Event look like?” Our typical responses ranged from, “Great question,” to, “It changes every day.” These answers are still applicable.
To our normal response, I would add that our goal is to run the Kentucky Three-Day Event and the Kentucky Invitational Grand Prix in April 2021 . . . with a carefully managed level of spectators. We know there are challenges ahead and we know things must be different in 2021, but we are working towards accomplishing this goal. We are resilient.
We cannot achieve our goal alone. We have been and continue to be in constant contact with US Equestrian, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Horse Park. The approval for spectators from each of these organizations is key to achieving our goal. These partners also recognize the challenges ahead and the work that must be done. They too are resilient.
You too are a key partner in our ability to achieve our goal. Since 1978 you’ve been with us every step of the way. Plans for April continue to evolve and, as we’ve said before, plans change daily. As details are finalized, we will excitedly share them with you. For now, we ask that you be resilient with us.
The definition of resilient is, “to return to the original form or position after being bent, compressed, or stretched.” For each of us there is no question that 2020 has bent us, compressed us, and stretched us (just look at my waistline!)
We were bent, but we did not buckle. We were compressed, but we were not squashed. We were stretched, but we did not break.
We can’t wait to return to our original form as soon as safely possible, with you there next to us.
We are resilient!
Lee
Since the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program was founded in 2014, it has grown in popularity and participation each year. The USEA is excited to have 23 intercollegiate team challenges on the calendar in 2021 in addition to the 2021 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships, which will be held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia on May 27-30.
In 2000 and with the support of Joan Iversen Goswell, the Worth the Trust Educational Scholarships were established to provide financial assistance to amateurs to pursue their education in eventing. The funds from the Worth the Trust Educational Scholarships may be used for training opportunities such as clinics, working student positions, and private or group instruction, or to learn from an official, course designer, technical delegate, judge, veterinarian, or organizer.
The Linda Moore Trophy was introduced in 1979 and awarded to the leading Young Rider in the country. After a strong showing during the 2020 season, 16-year-old Benjamin Noonan of Ballwin, Missouri was named the 2020 RevitaVet Young Rider of the Year.
The USEA is sorry to announce that there will be no USEA Educational Symposium held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The USEA Educational Symposium is hosted annually each February as a week of learning for participants and auditors.