Aug 28, 2022

Third Invitation to USEA's Eventing Hall of Fame Extended to Sally O'Connor

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff

This year a new class will be joining the 47 eventing legends currently in the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Eventing Hall of Fame. Induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor awarded within the sport of eventing in the United States. Those invited to join the USEA's Eventing Hall of Fame have truly made a difference in the sport of eventing. Hall of Fame members have included past Association presidents, volunteers, riders, founders, course designers, officials, organizers, horses, horse owners, and coaches.

Typically, a new group is inducted into the Hall of Fame every four years. The USEA is delighted to be welcoming a new Hall of Fame class this year. These members of the eventing community will be honored for their accomplishments, contributions, and lifelong dedication to the sport of eventing with a formal induction ceremony at the Hall of Fame Gala at the 2022 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention taking place this year in Savannah, Georgia from December 7-11.

The USEA’s Eventing Hall of Fame Class of 2022 will be announced throughout the year as inductees are presented with their invitation in person at events meaningful to their contributions. The third inductee of 2022, Sally O’Connor, was surprised yesterday at the MARS Great Meadow International event in The Plains, Virginia with her invitation to attend the induction ceremony.

O’Connor has enjoyed a lifetime of involvement with horses both in eventing and dressage. She had a robust eventing career in the 1960s and 70s as well as competing in the dressage ring for many years, earning numerous championship accolades while studying under the tutelage of classical riders Franz Rockowansky, Nuno Olivera, and Bengt Ljungquist. Sally moved to Draper, Utah to pioneer dressage and eventing in a new In 1973, while accompanied by her sons, O’Connor pioneered a ride across the U.S. covering over 2900 miles riding her own event horse Gungho.

In addition to her riding, O’Connor has spent many years of her life as a FEI judge in both disciplines, an AHSA/USEF “I” dressage judge, and a “R” judge. Her influence on the sport of eventing, however, has been nothing short of impactful. She served as a steward regularly, including as the Chief Eventing Steward at the 2008 World Equestrian Games. Many of the current FEI eventing stewards working today at the highest level of the sport were trained by O’Connor, who has also contributed to the sport by writing up many of the eventing dressage tests utilized in competition throughout the years.

A prolific writer, riders all over the country have been influenced by her written works Practical Eventing and Common Sense Dressage, as well as numerous articles on both dressage and combined training. For 15 years, O’Connor was the voice of the dressage tests that took place during the then Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event and she served as the press liaison during the 2004 Olympics. She has served on the boards of many equestrian institutions including the Potomac Valley Dressage Association, the United States Dressage Association, the United States Pony Club, and was the Vice President of Education for the United States Combined Training Association (now United States Eventing Association). Her sons, David and Brian, have both made their mark on the sport of eventing in their own fashion, no doubt influenced by their mother’s powerful passion for the sport.

Stay tuned throughout the year to find out the additional members of the USEA’s Eventing Hall of Fame Class of 2022!

Want to learn more about the USEA’s Eventing Hall of Fame and read about the current members? Click here.

Jul 02, 2024 Educational Activities

USEA Educational Activity Highlight: Sherwood Forest Hunter Pace | Sherwood Oregon | July 13, 2024

What’s a Hunter Pace? The Sherwood Forest Equestrian Center's Hunter Pace is a cross-country-style course around Sherwood Forest over various natural obstacles/terrain. The course ends with a final treat for riders to take in stunning views of Mt. Hood with a loop through the old Far Hill Farms field. The beginning of the course will first start with a warm-up loop around show jumping obstacles in the outdoor ring at Sherwood Forest and then riders will continue directly onto the course. Sign up as a solo rider, pair, or team.

Jul 02, 2024 Profile

No Longer Dreaming: Claire Allen's Goal of Qualifying for USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship is Now Reality

Claire Allen remembers when she was 11 years old, having just made the switch from the hunter/jumper ring to three-day eventing. She told her new eventing trainer that her goal was to one day compete in the United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Young Rider Championships.

Jul 01, 2024 Competitions

Alliston’s Busy Weekend, Braitling’s Reuniting with Five-Star Mount, & Kalkman’s Advanced Victory Highlight Twin Rivers Summer H.T.

As he was finishing tacking up his horse in preparation to navigate the cross-country course at the 2024 Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, James Alliston expressed concern about navigating the 101 Freeway. That’s because as soon as he crossed the finish line aboard Intermediate level winner Addyson (Ampere x Nickerbocker) at 10:38 a.m. on Saturday—his fifth cross-country round of the morning with three at Preliminary and two at Intermediate—the West Coast-based five-star rider had to drive 185 miles on the 101 Freeway from Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, to San Francisco International Airport to catch a 4:35 p.m. flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

Jul 01, 2024 Education

USEA Podcast #364: All Your Grooming Questions Answered

There is so much more to proper grooming than keeping your horse picture-perfect for the horse inspection. Good grooming practices are critical to proper horse management, no matter if you are planning for your next FEI appearance or your Starter level debut. To help you maximize your knowledge of grooming practices, we opened up the opportunity for USEA members to submit any questions they might have on our Instagram and Facebook stories. In this week's episode, Host Nicole Brown sits down with three of the highest-regarded grooms in this industry, Max Corcoran, Emma Ford, and Stephanie Simpson, and asks them all of your questions and more to help you perfect the art of grooming.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle 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

Official Shockwave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA