United States Eventing Association

When Helen Alliston and Ebay fell on the Advanced cross-country course at the Spring Event at Woodside on May 28, 2021, everyone thought that the then 12-year-old gelding walked away without injuries. The pair had been leading their division when Ebay caught a leg on a corner jump toward the end of the course and, as a result, had a half-rotational fall, landing on his neck and partially landing on Helen. Helen was transported to Stanford University Hospital with a broken pelvis, but immediate reports after the event announced that Ebay was unharmed in the accident.

One of the definitions of the word insurance is “providing protection against a possible eventuality.” As horse owners we are always planning for that possible eventuality – our horses might get sick or injured unexpectedly, lesson programs cover themselves for potential accidents that might take place on their property, and so on. When professional eventers Dom and Jimmie Schramm purchased their new farm in Pennsylvania last year they had no clue what possible eventuality would become reality for them less than one year into owning the property.

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is thrilled to welcome back Parker Equine Insurance as the ”Official Equine Insurance Provider of the USEA” for 2022 and 2023. In addition to their corporate sponsorship, Parker Equine Insurance will join as a Gold Level Sponsor of the USEA American Eventing Championships, a Bronze Level Sponsor of the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, an Insurance Partner of the USEA Instructors’ Certification Program, and a Contributing Level Sponsor to the USEA Classic Series, USEA Young Event Horse Program, and USEA Future Event Horse Program.

Equine medical insurance can be difficult to understand, especially due to the differences between equine insurance and other insurances you may be used to. Loss of use coverage, for example, can be a useful extension of other equine medical insurances such as mortality and major medical insurance. While no horse owner wants to think of a scenario where their horse suffers a career-ending injury, accident, or illness, loss of use coverage can help provide financial assistance with vet bills and any other expenses should something happen.

Purchasing your first horse farm is a very daunting experience. When you are a young, horse-crazed kid, having your very own horse farm sounds like the perfect dream. “All I want is to wake up in the morning and be on a farm with my horses and ride all day long.” Then you grow up, and that dream starts to become more tangible, and you realize a lot more goes into owning a farm than you first thought. Most would think for a professional horse rider and trainer that it would be a no-brainer to own your own farm, but making it happen is not always that easy when you are living it. So, when the stars do begin to align and the possibility of making that childhood dream a reality, you jump on it!

For large commercial equine operations, it is essential that all horses in the business are protected with an insurance policy specifically designed to meet individual owner needs and at the same time ensure proper equine coverage. You might be a top level rider with a string of horses or maybe you are a breeder or an owner with several imported sport horses.

For any of you that do not know Frankie Thieriot Stutes and Chatwin, they share the quintessential horse-and-rider relationship that everyone wants. Thieriot Stutes has owned Chatwin since he was a young horse and has brought him along to the top level of the sport herself, which is no small feat considering she also has two young boys and two thriving businesses. Chatwin is part of the family, not your typical five-star horse that is in a rigorous program with a professional and 15 other horses.

Before heading into the dressage court, think twice about those who have equine insurance coverage. It is not limited to you, the rider. Equine insurance is also applicable to your dressage judge sitting in the judge’s box scoring you. It is a different and interesting perspective to take.

For many equestrians today, horse insurance is often viewed as a big, daunting, and scary topic. There are potential pitfalls and there is a lot of fine print to be addressed. The questions are many and the fine print is very fine. What type of coverage is needed? What are the right questions that should be asked before deciding on the right policy for you and your horse?

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to announce the continued partnership with Parker Equine Insurance. Parker Equine Insurance will return as the ”Official Equine Insurance Provider of the USEA” for 2020 and 2021.