Feb 11, 2020

Rescue Recognition Program Rewards Rescue Horses

By Jessica Duffy - USEA Staff
Photo courtesy of the Rescue Recognition Program.

In 2018, the Equis Save Foundation introduced the Rescue Recognition Program (R.R.P.) as a pilot program to destigmatize rescue horses and reward them for their accomplishments in the competition ring. The program was a roaring success, and in 2019 went nationwide to support and recognize rescue horses competing at sanctioned United States Eventing Association (USEA) and United States Dressage Federation (USDF) competitions. The program awarded over 50 ribbons this past year to deserving rescue horses and their riders. In 2020, the program looks to expand to offer awards at rated hunter/jumper shows and major breed shows.

“The Equis Save Foundation was formed by a group of Montana-based eventers and dressage riders that desired to give back to the horses they love so much, said Michelle Donaldson, president of the Equis Save Foundation. “Our organization sprouted out of a desire to save a group of yearlings and young horses that had been dumped in a kill pen and were being loaded to send to slaughter. We intervened and saved 50 horses that day.”

“Those horses were quarantined, loved, and trained and were successfully placed in forever homes,” she shared. “Many of these horses ended up in sport horse homes, and some have even gone on to compete successfully, winning awards and recognition at horse trials and dressage shows.”

Photo courtesy of the Rescue Recognition Program.

“During our work with these initial batch of horses we realized how stigmatized rescue horses are,” Donaldson continued. “Many people consider kill pen and rescue horses as damaged horses. Most are not, they have simply been let down by humans.”

“The Rescue Recognition Program sprouted out of our desire to show the world that rescue horses can accomplish great things in the sport horse world and should not be considered damaged or problem animals. By destigmatizing rescues, we hope to encourage adoption and help horses in need.”

“The USEA Board of Governors carefully reviewed the Rescue Recognition Program,” said USEA CEO Rob Burk. “They did not want to arbitrarily endorse any program, especially one representing such an important area as equine rescue. At the end of that review the Board endorsed this wonderful recognition program. I have been lucky enough to witness the successes of some amazing rescue horses in the sport of eventing, including some that made it to the highest levels of the sport. I can’t wait to hear of the future successes of the horses recognized through the R.R.P.!”

For Competitors

For the purposes of the Rescue Recognition Program, a rescue horse is defined as “any horse that was slaughter-bound, saved from a Kill Pen, adopted from a Horse Rescue or saved from severe neglect.” Off-the-track Thoroughbreds are not eligible unless they meet that criteria. In order to participate in the R.R.P., horses must be registered with the R.R.P. prior to competition. You can obtain a free R.R.P. number for your horse by registering here.

Awards are presented for eventing from the Introductory/Elementary level all the way through the Intermediate level and for Young Event Horse and Future Event Horse classes. For dressage, overall high-point awards are available for Junior, Adult Amateur, and Professional divisions. R.R.P. also offers year-end Performance Awards based on self-reported R.R.P. points.

For Event Organizers

If you are interested in offering R.R.P. awards at your event, you can fill out a ribbon request form here.

To learn more about the Rescue Recognition Program, visit their website.

Mar 18, 2024 Interscholastic

Double the Fun for the Spirit Award Contests at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships

The coveted Spirit Award, which originated from the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship and quickly became as important as the competition itself, will be returning this year with double the excitement at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships! With the two program championships merging for the first time, the organizing team at Stable View is committed to making the weekend an unforgettable experience for these middle school, high school, and undergraduate students. Separate Spirit Contests will be offered for each program , and Stable View has generously donated perpetual trophies for the two contest champions. The 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Championships will be held at the Stable View Local Charities H.T. on May 4-5, 2024 in Aiken, SC. Click here to learn more and prepare to enter on opening day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19!

Mar 17, 2024 Membership

Membership Minute: How Lucky I Am to Have My Horse

Sometimes all it takes is a little luck on your side to make your dreams come true. We recently asked our USEA membership to share why they feel so lucky to be partnered with the horses they compete with, and we received over 100 heartwarming stories! We compiled some of our favorites below in celebration of today’s luck-themed holiday.

Mar 16, 2024 Eventing News

Miks Master C Passes the Test at SRF Carolina International CCI4*-S

With Paris Olympic team selection this summer as a big goal, Liz Halliday headed out onto Ian Stark’s CCI4*-S cross-country course today at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International hoping to make the time with Miks Master C and show off a smooth round. After leading the division from day 1’s dressage on a 22.5, Halliday was able to accomplish both things and win aboard Ocala Horse Properties’ and Deborah Palmer’s 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF).

Mar 15, 2024 Eventing News

Miks Master C Makes Easy Work of Show Jumping at SRF Carolina International

The standings after today’s CCI4*-S show jumping at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International shuffled with 14 double-clear rounds out of 35 to start, but Liz Halliday stayed right where she was at the top of the leaderboard aboard Miks Master C.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA