The Surefire Horse Trials in Purcellville, Virginia ran 18 divisions from Beginner Novice through Intermediate levels over three days last weekend. Riders enjoyed the cooler than normal weather and improved footing as they got their chance to ride at Jan Byyny’s beautiful farm. Winners included: Sara Kozumplik (OI, ON-A), Collin Reynolds (JYOP), Emily Rzucidlo (OP-A), Jennie Brannigan (OP-B, ON-B), Sarah Mackenzie Nelson (JOT), Phillip Dutton (OT-A), Sharon White (OT-B), Brittany Bridges (OT-C), Lauren Kieffer (OT-D), Arden Wildasin (JN), Dorry Gascon (ON-C), Allison Springer (ON-D), Heidi Siegmund (ON-E), Caroline Muller (pictured above, JBN), Betsy Hafner (OBN-A), and Victoria Jessop (OBN-B).
Full Results | Leslie Mintz/USEA Photo.
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.
With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.
The USEA office will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and will reopen again on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The USEA staff will return emails and phone calls when the office re-opens on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 or at their earliest convenience.