United States Eventing Association

Meet the USEA Staff: Membership

The United States Eventing Association (USEA), which was founded in September 1959, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization committed to providing eventing enthusiasts with a competitive level suited to their individual skills. By assisting and educating competitors, event organizers, and officials; maintaining responsible safety standards; and registering qualified competitions and clinics, the USEA offers strong and continuous training opportunities for an ever-expanding field of world-class competitors. Just as importantly, the USEA provides a means for all riders, regardless of age or ability, to experience the thrill of eventing.

While the USEA’s home office is based in Leesburg, Virginia, some of the small staff of 17 professionals that work to fulfill the duties and mission of the Association work semi- or fully remotely to accomplish their individual responsibilities. To better help the USEA members communicate with and get to know the team behind the USEA, the USEA will be featuring a "Meet the Staff" article once a month to help you identify which members of the team might best assist with your individual needs. This month, the USEA is proud to introduce you to the small, but mighty staff behind our Membership department.

The dynamic duo behind the Membership department at the USEA is made up of Jennifer Hardwick, Senior Director of Membership Services/Meeting Planner, and Cindy Clingman, Membership Services Manager. These two ladies divide and conquer when it comes to the various needs surrounding USEA membership, horse registration, online services, donations, clinics, camps, schooling shows, the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, affiliates, and so much more.

Hardwick has been at the USEA for over 26 years and was one of the original four staff members who relocated with the USCTA/USEA when they moved from Boston, Massachusetts. Her many years at the USEA have made her an invaluable resource to the team. From the membership perspective, Hardwick specializes in working alongside the USEA’s IT department to develop new products and programs that enhance the experience of USEA members. Documents that come from the USEA’s Membership department have been directly influenced by Hardwick, and she sees to the updating of these vital documents each year.

That's not all; Hardwick also serves as the Staff liaison to the USEA Membership Committee and the USEA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Committee. She writes proposals, handles insurance, manages all mailing and shipping requirements for the USEA office, and single-handedly coordinates every last detail in relation to the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention each year.

When asked about her favorite thing about her career at the USEA, Hardwick shared: “The family I have acquired while working here, every staff member is like family to me in and outside of the office. I also enjoy providing amazing membership experiences for our members, from developing new incentives and thinking outside the box to enhance our membership experience, to talking with our members and listening to all the stories that members have to share. Meeting our members is like seeing old friends.”

Outside of the USEA, Hardwick enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and their two dogs. Fitness is a large part of Hardwick’s daily life and as a certified trainer and group fitness instructor, she teaches a variety of classes such as Pilates, strength and basic training, self-defense, and Tai Chi for the county where she resides. She also enjoys volunteering her services as a trainer by providing fitness classes through Zoom on Health Strides and to children who are a part of the foster care system.

Clingman has been a vital part of the USEA’s Membership department for three and a half years. If you have called the USEA office regarding your membership needs, her cheerful voice is most likely the one you've heard on the other end of the phone. Her daily roles and responsibilities include interacting with members and show secretaries, processing horse registrations and transfers, assisting with the processing of educational activities and USEA memberships, as well as responding to all inquiries submitted to [email protected]

If you've been the recipient of a USEA Award, you can thank Clingman for her dutiful service in keeping track of and updating these records year-round. She states, “It is a joy to acknowledge the accomplishments of our members by mailing Certificates for our Blue Ribbon, Rider Achievement, and Eventing Medal programs.” Clingman also assists with the processing of teams and formatting results for both the USEA Intercollegiate Program and USEA Interscholastic Eventing Leagues. You can occasionally see Clingman out of the office and in her element interacting with members as one of the friendly faces who assists with the USEA merchandise booth at events such as the USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by Nutrena Feeds, or the two five-star competitions that take place in the U.S.

“I love interacting with our members and especially enjoy watching our youngest members discover the sport, love their horses, and grow into accomplished riders,” Clingman shared when asked what she loves most about her job.

When she's not providing top-notch service to the USEA membership, Clingman can be found spending quality time with her husband of over 29 years fulfilling her favorite role: mother/stepmother/grandmother to their three children and two grandchildren. Clingman loves participating in fitness classes at her local gym, playing tennis, and following her youngest son around the country as he competes for Penn State’s men’s gymnastics team.

The USEA is proud to employ some of the best of the best in the country to support the needs of our members. Be on the lookout for more staff profiles to better help put faces to the names of the team behind the USEA and to help point you in the right direction of which staff member can best assist you in the future.