United States Eventing Association

Meet the 2018 USEA's Eventing Hall of Fame Inductees

Over the past two months, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) has announced the six inductees who will join the existing 40 icons of the eventing world in the USEA’s Eventing Hall of Fame this year. These members of the eventing community will be honored for their accomplishments, contributions, and lifelong dedication to the sport of eventing with a formal induction ceremony at the Hall of Fame Gala at the 2018 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, taking place this year in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 6-9.

This year's USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will be jam-packed with educational seminars and presentations from experts across the eventing community including riders, trainers, sports psychologists, equine health professionals, and more. The USEA Convention is a great opportunity to gather with your fellow eventers and enjoy a week of education and fun! More details about this year's Convention can be found by clicking here.

Without further ado, please meet the six inductees into the 2018 USEA's Eventing Hall of Fame.

Nina and Tim Gardner

Nina and Tim Gardner have been active supporters of the sport of eventing and its future for decades as owners, breeders, and volunteers of the Association. They have been instrumental in the development of young talent, both horses and riders, and have contributed to the USEA Young Event Horse program and event horse breeding in the United States. Click here to read Nina and Tim Gardner’s biography.

Karen O'Connor

Karen Lende O’Connor represented the United States in international competition for more than 25 years, competing in five Olympic Games, three World Equestrian Games, and two Pan American Games. She was the number one ranked lady rider in the world in 1993 and has been named the U.S. Female Equestrian Athlete of the Year 10 times. Click here to read Karen O’Connor’s biography.

Out and About

Out and About was one of the greatest eventing Thoroughbreds in history. He earned individual bronze for the United States at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and team bronze as a part of the U.S. team at the 1998 World Equestrian Games. He also earned top finishes at Blenheim, Badminton, Kentucky, and in the European Championships. He was skillfully piloted by Kerry Millikin through all of these accomplishments. Click to read Out and About’s biography.

Captain Mark Phillips

Captain Mark Phillips represented Great Britain in eventing and show jumping internationally in the 1970s and 1980s, winning team gold medals at the 1970 World Championships, 1971 European Championships, and 1972 Munich Olympics and team silver at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. After retiring from international competition, Phillips turned his attention to course designing and is now one of the most highly respected course designers in the world. He served as the Chef d’Equipe of the U.S. team for nearly 20 years, a time during which the U.S. won numerous team and individual medals in international competition. Click here to read Captain Mark Phillips’ biography.

Marty Simensen

Dr. A. Martin “Marty” Simensen served as the U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Veterinarian for over 22 years and was widely known and loved for his commitment to his patients and the owners behind them. Dr. Simensen’s work touched the lives of countless equestrians, veterinarians, and horses, and he has become world famous through his dedication and support of the equine athlete. Click here to read Marty Simensen’s biography.

Howard Simpson

Howard Simpson, along with his wife, Martha Smith Simpson, and her sister, Linda Buonanno, hosted the first American Continental Young Riders Championship, the event that would grow to become the North American Youth Championships (NAYC), at their Temple Farms in Wadsworth, Illinois, in 1984. Simpson has remained dedicated to the sport of eventing throughout his life, holding many leadership roles, and has received numerous awards recognizing his contribution to the sport. Click here to read Howard Simpson’s biography.