Nov 22, 2019

Top Five History Sessions at the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

By Claire Kelley - USEA Staff
The U.S. won team gold at the 1974 World Championships at Burghley. From left to right: J. Michael Plumb on Good Mixture (individual silver); Denny Emerson on Victor Dakin; Don Sachey on Plain Sailing; Bruce Davidson on Irish Cap (individual gold). Alex Coleman Photo.

In less than a month, eventers will wrap up the year at the Sheraton Boston Hotel for the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention on December 12-15. Sixty years ago, the USCTA (now known as the USEA) was formed after a meeting that took place at the 1959 Pan American Games in Chicago. From 1959, the USEA has grown from a small 20-member organization to an organization with thousands of members across the country of all levels and ages. History will come to life at the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention as the USEA will honor 60 years of the sport that we all know and love.

60 Years of U.S. Eventing – Archived Event Film

Thursday, December 12 – Sunday, December 15 | Room: Liberty C

Take a moment to see some of history’s best horses and riders on the big screen. This year, the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will have a room dedicated to playing USEA video archives. The videos include the living legend Bruce Davidson Sr. winning gold at the 1976 World Championships, Torrance Watkins becoming the first lady rider to win an individual Olympic eventing medal at Fontainebleau 1980, and David O’Connor winning the individual gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Torrance Watkins and Poltroon. Nina Fout Photo.

In addition to the video archives, every day a new feature film will play, films like International Velvet, Sylvester, and The Little Horse that Could. These moments in eventing history can be seen in Liberty C, the designated film room at the Sheraton Boston Hotel.

Pan American Games Review

Friday, December 13 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Constitution B – 2nd floor

Speakers: Boyd Martin, Doug Payne, Lynn Symansky, Tamra Smith, and Erik Duvander

U.S. Eventing started collecting medals as early as 1912 at the Stockholm Olympic Games. The U.S. Eventing team made up of Lt. Ephraim Graham, Capt. Guy Henry, Lt. Benjamin Lear, Jr., and Lt. John C Montgomery earned team bronze. Since then, U.S. Eventing has won over 70 medals on the international stage.

The 2019 gold medal-winning team. Erin Gilmore Photo.

The most recent medals were earned this year at the 2019 Pan American Games. The team of Lynn Symansky, Boyd Martin, Tamra Smith, and Doug Payne earned team gold, with Boyd Martin on Tsetserleg earning individual gold, and Lynn Symansky on RF Cool Play earning individual silver. The team will review their victory on Friday, December 13 at 12:00 p.m. in room Constitution B.

History of Area I – Archived Film

Saturday, December 14 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Liberty C

During the USEA’s early years, Area I was where U.S. Eventing all started to take shape. Attracting top international riders, Area I was (and still is) home to treasured events like Middletown H.T., Shepley Hill H.T., Flying Horse Three-Day Event, Foxhall Three-Day Event, Groton House H.T., Gennesee Valley Hunt H.T., and Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) H.T. These last three events are some of the longest running events in the country. Learn more about the ‘History of Eventing in Area I’ on Saturday, December 14.

J. Michael Plumb competing in the early days of Groton House Farm Horse Trials. J. Michael Plumb earned the title of USEA Rider of the Year 10 times during the 1960s and 1970s. Barry Kaplan Photo.

USEA Annual Meeting of Members & Keynote Presentation

Saturday, December 14 | 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Grand Ballroom – 2nd Floor

For the first time in USEA history, the Annual Meeting will have a panel of keynote speakers that represent the past, present, and future of U.S. eventing. The legendary panel will include James Wofford, Max Corcoran, and Savannah "Woodge" Fulton with Jim Wolf as the moderator. This unique keynote presentation will be on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom.

The Rest of the Story with Denis Glaccum

Saturday, December 14 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Republic Ballroom

Another piece of eventing history is the start of the USEA (formerly known as USCTA) year-end awards in 1960. The first-ever USCTA National Champion of the Year was awarded to Denis Glaccum on Kilkenny. Denis Glaccum went onto win the following year in 1961 on Camouflage. Glaccum will share the rest of his story on Saturday, December 14 at 3:00 p.m. in the Republic Ballroom.

Denis Glaccum competing in 1956. USEA Archives Photo.

USEA Awards Dinner & 60th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, December 14 | 6:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. | Grand Ballroom – 2nd floor

The USEA Awards and 60th Anniversary Celebration will be on Saturday night with drinks, dinner, dancing, and a live band. The 60th Anniversary will be an unforgettable celebration that looks back on 60 years of the sport.

Registration is now open! Click here to register and view the full schedule.

Reserve a room at the Sheraton Boston Hotel by clicking here.

For more information about the 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, click here or contact [email protected].

About the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention takes place each December and brings together a large group of dedicated USEA members and supporters to discuss, learn, and enjoy being surrounded by other eventing enthusiasts. The USEA organizes multiple seminars in addition to committee meetings, open forums, and tons of fun! The 2019 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention is taking place at the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, December 12-15, 2019. Click here to learn more about the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention.

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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