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Nov 11, 2020
Through the Lens: Major General Jonathan R. Burton's Funeral at Arlington National Cemetery
On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, Major General Jonathan R. Burton was laid to rest with military funeral honors and funeral escort at Arlington National Cemetery. Burton passed away at the age of 99 in Tuscon, Arizona on May 29, 2019.
Burton enrolled in the ROTC Horse Cavalry Division while at Michigan State University and moved to Fort Riley, Kansas, headquarters of the U.S. Cavalry School, upon graduation. When the U.S. entered World War II, Burton and his regiment were shipped to Australia to prepare to fight as infantry under General MacArthur and from there he was shipped to New Guinea.
After the war, Burton returned to Fort Riley where he taught advanced horsemanship. Burton was selected for the United States show jumping team at the 1948 London Olympics and the United States three-day eventing team at the 1956 Stockholm Olympics - he missed the 1952 Games because he was serving in the Korean War at the time. In 1953, Burton helped organize the first continuous horse trials in the U.S. along with Margaret Lindsley Warden and William Haggard and had the honor of writing the first rulebook for combined training.
General Burton served two and a half years in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division as a brigade commander and as an assistant division commander. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit (1st OLC), Distinguished Flying Cross (2nd OLC), Air Medal (V Device & 54 OLC), Purple Heart, and Army Commendation Ribbon. After 33 years of service in the U.S. Army, Burton retired as a Major General, last as commander of the 3rd Armored Division.
Burton's contributions to the eventing community are innumerable and included serving as Executive Vice President for the U.S. Equestrian Team for 10 years and as President of the U.S. Combined Training Association (now United States Eventing Association) from 1985-1987. He was also a member of the group that established the North American Young Rider Championships in the 1980s. He worked as an FEI judge, technical delegate, and steward until the age of 92. He was inducted into the USEA's Eventing Hall of Fame and the US Dressage Federation Hall of Fame.
All photos by Ricky Gibson/Dogwood Productions.
Jul 04, 2024
Emerging Athletes U21
Through the Lens: EA21 West Coast I Clinic
"The riders are getting stronger every year, and you can see the kids that have been in the camp for several years," USEA Emerging Athlete U21 (EA21) Coach Rebecca Brown said of the EA21 athletes on the West Coast. Brown just wrapped up the EA21 West Coast I Regional Clinic last week at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, and will go on to coach the athletes named to the USEA West Coast II Regional Clinic at Aspen Farm in Yelm, Washington, on Aug. 13-14.
Jul 03, 2024
Eventing News
Retired Racehorse Project Renews as Bronze Sponsor of the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships
The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is pleased to announce the Retired Racehorse Project as a “Bronze Level Sponsor of the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC).” In return, the USEA will be supporting the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover, which takes place Oct. 9-12 in Lexington, Kentucky, as a “Starting Gate Sponsor.”
Jul 03, 2024
AEC
Two Months Until the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds
The countdown to the 2024 United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is getting shorter and the tentative schedule is officially set! For the second year in a row, the AEC returns to the iconic Kentucky Horse Park from August 27 through September 1 and will offer 26 divisions, including brand new Starter divisions and all levels of recognized evening up through the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final.
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.
