With great regret, the Board of Millbrook Horse Trials (“MHT”) announces the cancellation of this year’s event, which was scheduled to be held August 4-7 in Millbrook, N.Y. This will be a disappointment to many, especially in our own community of Millbrook. As the only Area I eventing competition that offers all levels, from local beginners to the very top international competitors, MHT is an important summer fixture for competitors and spectators.
Despite the effects of the pandemic, last year’s event was particularly vibrant and well attended and we were expecting to expand on that this year. Unfortunately, however, we have not been able to come to a mutually acceptable agreement with one of the landowners on whom we rely to host the competition.
“The USEA has committed to assist Millbrook to make sure that this incredibly important event continues into the future,” said United States Eventing Association President Max Corcoran who grew up in USEA Area I. “We will work with the organizers of Millbrook to solve this and make sure that the event is viable.”
“We know this is a disappointing development for the Area I eventing community, as Millbrook H.T. is a longstanding and treasured event on the eventing calendar,” said Bill Moroney, Chief Executive Officer of US Equestrian. “We are committed to continuing our work with organizers to provide viable ways for competitions to recover following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and we hope to see Millbrook H.T. back on the calendar in 2023 and in the years to come.”
The Board of the Millbrook Horse Trials is grateful for the support we receive from sponsors, volunteers, officials, and many others each year. We are committed and hopeful that the Horse Trials will return to the eventing calendar for 2023.
Eventers who are new to the sport may feel a little overwhelmed by the often-misunderstood world of saddle fitting. Riders are often bombarded with information from peers online or self-described experts, putting them at risk of following bad advice related to equipment that impacts horse welfare perhaps more than any other piece of tack. Finding a qualified expert to answer these questions is crucial. Who better to turn to than both a qualified Master Saddle Fitter and a fourth-generation saddle designer to answer some of these questions?
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.