Get to know each United States Eventing Association (USEA) Area a little better in this new series, Meet the Areas! This month’s feature is USEA Area III which is made up of Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Area III is home to many local and USEA celebrities such as the current USEA President Max Corcoran! Doug Payne’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic mount Vandiver was also bred and born in Area III in the state of Alabama. Learn more about Area III below.
Area III Fun Facts
Did you know that Area III was the birthplace of eventing in the United States? The first-ever non-military event, the Southeast's Initial One Day Event, was held in Nashville, Tennessee in June 1952 at the Percy Warner Park and was put on by USEA Eventing Hall of Fame members General Jonathan R. Burton and Margaret Lindsley Warden.
The oldest continuously running recognized horse trials in the country also calls Area III its home. The Middle Tennessee Pony Club Horse Trials will reach its 70th year of competition in October of 2022.
Because of the warm climate in most regions of Area III, it is a snowbirding eventers paradise! Hundreds of eventers from all over flock to Aiken, South Carolina, or Ocala, Florida from December through March to escape the winter season and enjoy some sunshine. Because of this climate, events truly do run year-round in Area III, giving competitors an opportunity to get their show miles in all year long. Area III has had a competitor from every state in the contiguous United States, as well as international competitors as well. Area III members like to think it’s because they offer warm weather and eventing with a dash of southern hospitality.
Area III Championships:
Open Intermediate (OI-CH), Preliminary (OP-CH), Modified (OM-CH), Training (TR-CH & TH-CH), Novice (NR-CH & NH-CH) and Beginner Novice (BNR & BNH)
STABLE VIEW SUMMER H.T., JUNE 24-26, 2022
Placing to Qualify: BN thru Preliminary: 1st thru 5th at one event with no cross-country jump penalties. Intermediate: Completion of a minimum of 2 events, intermediate HT or 3*, with no cross- country penalties.
Qualifying Period: 6/9/2021 – 6/7/2022 in any Area.
In Any Area: BN, N, T, M, P, I
Open to members of other Areas but non-residents must qualify within Area III.
For a detailed account of Area III Championship policies and specifications go to www.usea3.org
Area III ICP Certified Eventing Instructors:
Graham, Jim (Level IV) Certified in 2005
Address:7901 County Rd. 61 | Florence, Alabama 35634
Phone: (256)436-1747 (Day) | (256)436-1747 (Cell)
Gray, Peter (Level IV) Certified in 2009
Address:7765 NW 118 Ct. | Ocala, Florida 34482
Phone: (352)425-6302 (Day) | (352)425-6302 (Cell)
Holling, Jonathan (Level IV) Certified in 2008
Address:13104 W. Highway 328 | Ocala, Florida 34482
Phone: (352)875-8622 (Day) | (352)875-8622 (Cell)
Hoos, William (Level IV) Certified in 2007
Address:1678 Old Hillsboro Rd | Franklin, Tennessee 37069
Phone: (615)945-8303 (Day) | (615)945-8303 (Cell)
Law, Leslie (Level IV) Certified in 2012
Address:9570 NW 63rd Street | Ocala, Florida 34482
Phone: (352)216-8464 (Day)
Meyer, Joe (Level IV) Certified in 2012
Address:1580 NE 120th Street | Anthony, Florida 32617
Phone: (352)615-5907 (Day) | (352)615-5907 (Cell)
Richards, Julie (Level IV) Certified in 2009
Address:16 Dogwood Rd | Newnan, Georgia 30263
Phone: (404)401-5600 (Day)
Johnson , Ashley (Level III) Certified in 2009
Address:7744 NW 90th Ave University of Florida Team Coach | Ocala, Florida 34482
Phone: (610)212-0294 (Day) | (610)212-0294 (Cell)
Online: www.ashlandeventing.com
Jones Forsberg, Cathy (Level III) Certified in 2006
Address: PO Box 115 | Alachua, Florida 32616-0155
Phone: (630)308-6114 (Day) | (630)308-6114 (Cell)
Lamb, Richard (Level III) Certified in 2008
Address:937 Oleander Drive, SE | Aiken, South Carolina 29801
Phone: (828)817-1163 (Day) | (828)817-1163 (Cell)
Online: www.ridinginbalance.com
Payne, Doug (Level III) Certified in 2008
Address:1050 Clear Creek Court | Aiken, South Carolina 29803
Phone: (908)399-9112 (Day)
Online: www.pe3s.com
Ward, Lellie (Level III) Certified in 2009
Address:4069 Wagener Rd | Aiken, South Carolina 29805
Phone: (803)640-4918 (Day) | (803)640-4918 (Cell)
Buffington, Sally (Level II) Certified in 2005
Address:1700 Plantation Road | Madison, Georgia 30650
Phone: (210)421-1534 (Day) | (210)421-1534 (Cell)
Online: http://[email protected]
Clarke, Jeanie (Level II) Certified in 2009
Address:4850 NE 97th Street Rd. | Anthony, Florida 32617
Phone: (508)314-5161 (Day)
Ezzard, Brittany (Level II) Certified in 2018
Address:5881 Madison Hwy | Greensboro, Georgia 30642
Phone: (229)938-1854 (Day) | (229)938-1854 (Cell)
Kaufman, Anne (Level II) Certified in 2011
Address:1879 SW 107th Place | Ocala, Florida 34476
Phone: (304)215-2406 (Day) | (304)215-2406 (Cell)
Nichols, Amy (Level II) Certified in 2008
Address:1116 Southern Acres | Anderson, South Carolina 29625
Phone: (864)933-3529 (Day) | (864)933-3529 (Cell)
Simmons, Joan (Level II) Certified in 2003
Address:10685 W Hwy 326 Kingsfield Farm | Ocala, Florida 34482
Phone: (412)860-9287 (Day) | (412)860-9287 (Cell)
Summerlin, Fran (Level II) Certified in 2009
Address:550 Lakeview Street | Steele, Alabama 35987
Phone: (850)485-1546 (Day)
Theisen, Kelly (Level II) Certified in 2009
Address:260 Still Field Lane | Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324
Anthony, Sharon (Level I - Training) Certified in 2010
Address:10601 S. Lick Creek Rd. | Primm Springs, Tennessee 38476
Phone: (931)670-0794 (Day) | (615)943-1444 (Cell)
Gilson, Lee Ann (Level I - Training) Certified in 2017
Address:880 Cedar Creek Rd NW | Adairsville, Georgia 30103
Phone: (678)873-8785 (Day)
Harris, Elizabeth (Level I - Training) Certified in 2005
Address:4340 Double Springs Road | Monroe, Georgia 30656
Phone: (678)871-9838 (Day) | (678)871-9838 (Cell)
Murfey, Janet (Level I - Training) Certified in 2009
Address:904 Dasher Circle | Aiken, South Carolina 29803\
Phone: (603)986-2494 (Day) | (603)986-2494 (Cell)
Bell, Candace Elizabeth (Level I - Novice) Certified in 2009
Address:80 Newnan Lakes Blvd, Apt 102 | Newnan, Georgia 30263
Phone: (256)436-4032 (Day) | (256)436-4032 (Cell)
Fair, Jennifer (Level I - Novice) Certified in 2009
Address:820 E Grumline Road | Hodges, South Carolina 29653
Phone: (435)659-6510 (Day) | (435)659-6510 (Cell)
Online: Jfairequestrian.com
Upcoming Competitions:
March 17-20 | Ocala Winter II H.T. | BN, N, T, M, P, I, AI, A | Florida
March 18-20 | Pine Top Sprint H.T. | BN, N, TN, T, M, P, I | Georgia
March 25-27 | March Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks | Starter, BN, N, T, P | Florida
March 27 | Full Gallop Farm March II H.T. | Starter, BN, N, TN, T, PT, P | South Carolina
April 1-3 | Rocking Horse Spring H.T. | BN, N, T, PT, P, IP, I | Florida
April 1-3 | Stable View Spring 2/3/4* | T, M, P, I, A, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI4*-S | South Carolina
April 8-10 | Chattahoochee Hills International | BN, N, T, M, P, I A, CCI1*-S, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI4*-S | Georgia
April 14-17 | Ocala International Festival of Eventing | N, T, M, P, I, CT-A, CCI1*-L, CCI2*-L, CCI3*-L | Florida
April 16-17 | FENCE H.T. | Starter, BN, N, T, P | South Carolina
April 22-24 | River Glen Spring H.T. | Starter, BN, N, TN, T, M, P, IP, I | Tennessee
April 23 | Sporting Days Farm April H.T. III | Starter, BN, N, T, PT, P | South Carolina
April 30-May 1 | Stable View Spring H.T. - Pending USEF Approval | Starter, BN, N, T, M, P | South Carolina
May 7-8 | Poplar Place May H.T. | Intro, Starter, BN, N, TN, T, PT, M, P, IP, I | Georgia
May 14-15 | Majestic Oaks Ocala H.T. | Starter, BN, N, T, P | Florida
May 21-22 | Chattahoochee Hills H.T. | BN, N, T, M, P, I, A | Georgia
June 4-5 | Ocala Summer H.T. I | BN, N, T, M, P, IP | Florida
June 4-5 | Poplar Place June H.T. | Intro, Starter, BN, N, TN, T, PT, M, P, IP, I | Georgia
June 11-12 | River Glen June H.T. | Starter, BN, N, TN, T, M, P, IP, I | Tennessee
June 19 | Full Gallop Farm June H.T. | Starter, BN, N, TN, T, PT, P | South Carolina
June 24-26 | Stable View Summer H.T. | BN, N, T, M, P, I, A | South Carolina
July 1-3 | Chattahoochee Hills H.T. | YEH-4, YEH-5, BN, N, T, M, P, I | Georgia
August 5-7 | River Glen Summer H.T. | Starter, BN, N, TN, T, M, P, IP, I, CCI2*-S, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S | Tennessee
August 20-21 | Ocala Summer H.T. II | BN, N, T, M, P, IP, I, AI | Florida
August 20-21 | Full Gallop Farm August HT | Starter, BN, N, TN, T, PT, P | South Carolina
September 3-4 | Chattahoochee Hills H.T. | BN, N, T, M, P, I, A, CCI1*-L, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S | Georgia
September 23-24 | Stable View Oktoberfest 2/3/4* and H.T. | BN, N, T, M, P, I, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI4*-S | South Carolina
October 1 | Barnstaple South Fall H.T. - Pending USEF Approval | Starter, BN, N, T, M, P | Florida
October 8 | Middle Tennesee Pony Club H.T. | Starter, BN, N, T | Tennessee
October 8-9 | Ocala Fall Horse Trials - Pending USEF Approval | BN, N, T, M, P, I CT-A, A | Florida
October 15-16 | Poplar Place Farm October H.T. | Intro, Starter, BN, N, TN, T, PT, M, P, IP, I | Georgia
October 21-23 | The Event at TerraNova | Starter, BN, N, T, P, I CCI1*-S, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI4*-S | Florida
October 22-23 | Tryon Riding & Hunt Club “Morris the Horse” Trials | Starter, BN, N, T, PT | South Carolina
October 29-30 | Chattahoochee Hills H.T. | BN, N, T, M, P, I, A | Georgia
November 5-6 | Rocking Horse Fall H.T. | BN, N, T, PT, P, I | Florida
November 6 | Full Gallop Farm November H.T. | Starter, BN, N, TN, T, PT, P | South Carolina
November 11-13 | River Glen Fall H.T. | BN, N, TN, T, PT, M, P, IP, I | Tennessee
November 12-13 | Horse Trials at Majestic Oaks | BN, N, T, P | Florida
November 26-27 | Pine Top Thanksgiving H.T. | BN, N, TN, T, PT, M, P | Georgia
Area Representatives:
Area Chair
Rick Dunkerton
(601) 498-3330
Board of Governors Area Representatives
Sharon Anthony
(615) 943-1444
Rusty Lowe
(205) 965-1162
Yvonne Ocrant
(847) 420-1613
Area Treasurer
Diana Lewis
(678) 372-6370
Adult Rider Coordinators
Cindy Phillips
(770) 307-7240
Adult Rider Representative
Kristen Ayers
(303) 304-7021
Young Rider Coordinator
Lee Ann Gilson
(678) 873-8785
Active Rider Representative
Sara Kozumplik Murphy
(703) 930-3409
Organizer Representative
Emily Holmes
(352) 307-6699
After not running in 2020 and 2021, the MARS Bromont CCI Three-Day Event returned to the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Center in Quebec, Canada, in 2022. America's Jennie Saville (née Brannigan) and Twilightslastgleam won the CCI4*-L, as the chestnut Thoroughbred gelding (National Anthem x Royal Child) bred and owned by Nina Gardner moved up from eighth after dressage into the lead after cross-country with the fastest round on wet ground over the tracks designed by Derek di Grazia. Canada's Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge, a bay Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago x Lelia) owned by Patricia Pearce, finished second, and they are among four from the top-10 in the CCI4*-L in 2022 that return in 2023.
Hannah Sue Hollberg of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, was on a winning streak at the Essex Horse Trials on Sunday, claiming victory in both the $10,000 Open Intermediate and Open Preliminary divisions with two horses that are fairly new to her. Some difficulty on cross-country did not stop her mount Hachi from claiming victory in the Open Intermediate with a score of 101.6, while Open Preliminary partner Rockster finished on his dressage score of 27.3.
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.
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.