United States Eventing Association

Nominations For ERAofNA Special Awards Due November 16

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) would like to request nominations for the Eventing Riders Association of North America (ERAofNA) awards to be presented at the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in Savannah, Georgia December 7-11, 2023.

The ERAofNA, now as a USEA Committee have carried forward four awards to be presented at this year’s USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, and nominations are open until November 16. The USEA Foundation and USEA, Inc. adopted these awards to be presented by the ERAofNA:

• As You Like It Owner’s Award – The award is to be presented to an outstanding owner who has had a large influence on a rider’s career. Additionally, nominees will also be recognized for having made an exceptional contribution to the sport of eventing.
• Above & Beyond Event Personnel Award – This award is to be presented to an individual employed in a supporting career such as an event organizer, official, secretary, or other staff members who throughout the year went “above and beyond” their duties.
• Amateur Impact Award – This award is to be presented to an Adult Amateur that embodies a dedication to the sport of eventing, outstanding sportsmanship, and has made a direct impact on eventing in North America.

Additionally, the USEA Foundation and USEA, Inc. adopted the following award to be presented by the USEA Grooms Program Committee:

• Liz Cochran Memorial Grooms Award – This award recognizes an outstanding groom who has had a large influence on their rider’s career and the health and well-being of the horses under their care.

To make a nomination for any of the awards below, please fill out the nomination form here, before the deadline of November 16, 2022. The winning recipients will be asked to attend the awards ceremony at the 2022 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention in Savannah, Georgia, to receive their award.

For questions regarding the ERAofNA awards or the Grooms Award, please contact Kate Lokey at [email protected]

For more information about the 2022 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, click here or contact [email protected].

About the ERAofNA

In the Fall of 2020, the USEA was notified that the Eventing Riders Association of North America (ERAofNA) would be dissolving as a standalone entity as it was no longer viable. USEA President Max Corcoran and CEO Rob Burk met and discussed with ERAofNA President Shannon Lilley, Executive Director Helen Murray, and other members of their board the concept of absorbing many of the functions of ERAofNA into the USEA and its programs. It was universally agreed that this was a strong option. During the December 2020 meeting of the USEA Board of Governors, the Board determined that it was in the best interest of the Association to absorb many of the functions of the ERAofNA and to combine those activities as programs under the USEA Professional Horseman’s Council (PHC) and adopt the name of ERAofNA.

The mission of the ERAofNA is to assimilate and leverage the collective voice of North America’s riders, equine professionals and amateurs alike, and owners, in pursuit of enhancing and growing the sport of eventing in North America. Under the USEA umbrella, the purpose of the group is to develop and provide educational information for the membership, to facilitate communications between riders and the broader eventing community, including officials, course designers, organizers, and all competitors, and to assist in the further development, growth, visibility, welfare, and safety of the sport.

About the USEA Grooms Program

The USEA launched a Grooms Program and Committee in 2022. The Committee hosted educational seminars and other opportunities and will continue to provide educational opportunities moving forward. The aim of this committee is to drive educational opportunities for grooms, sustainability for groom careers, and promote equine management and welfare.