Login
Feb 08, 2019
Upstage (1991-2019)
Upstage (Touching Wood x Golly D’Ore), Richard and Vita Thompson’s Thoroughbred gelding, passed away today at the age of 28.
Upstage and Karen O’Connor’s partnership began in 2000 after she catch-rode him to a third-place finish in the two-star at the Radnor Three-Day Event. The following spring, Upstage completed his first Advanced level horse trials at Red Hills with O’Connor in the irons. In his first year at the Advanced/three-star level, he finished seventh in the three-star at Foxhall and fifth at Fair Hill International.
In the spring of 2002, Upstage ran around the Kentucky Three-Day Event for the first time, finishing in 24thplace. Upstage and O’Connor competed in the Kentucky Three-Day Event another five times, completing the four-star event six consecutive times: sixth place in 2003, 12th place in 2004, seventh place in 2005, 12th place in 2006, and 15th place in 2007.
In 2006, Upstage and O’Connor competed individually for the United States in the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, finishing in 42ndplace.
Upstage retired from competition in 2008. To date, Upstage is ranked the 21st highest scoring horse of all time with 865 points. Richard and Vita Thompson and Karen O'Connor are all members of the USEA's Eventing Hall of Fame.
The USEA extends our condolences to the Thompson family, Karen O’Connor, and all of Upstage’s connections.
May 18, 2025
Education
How to Ride the Horse You Thought You Bought
In this excerpt, trainer and educator Anne Buchannan explains bit contact connection and why it matters for true collection and healthy movement.
May 17, 2025
Education
Eventing 101: The Show Secretary is Your New Best Friend. Here’s How to Keep Them Happy
Familiarizing yourself with the key players at each horse trial is an important step to your success at your next competition. One of those important figures is the show secretary. Think of the show secretary as the mastermind behind most of the organizational efforts related to each horse trial. They manage entries, the show schedule, ride times, stabling, and so much more. Without the hard work of the show secretary and their office staff, a horse trial simply would not be able to operate.
May 16, 2025
Officials
USEA Foundation Announces the Janet Briggs Fund for the Continuing Education of Licensed Officials
The USEA Foundation is pleased to announce a new initiative, the Janet Briggs Fund for the Continuing Education of Licensed Officials. Established in memory of Janet Briggs, this fund honors her lifelong dedication to the sport of eventing by supporting the ongoing education and development of eventing licensed officials.
May 16, 2025
Eventing News
USEA Events A-Z: Hunter’s Run Farm Horse Trials
In the rolling countryside of Metamora, Michigan, there’s a place where eventers gather not just to compete, but to celebrate the spirit of the sport. Area VIII’s Hunter’s Run Farm—home to the Hunter’s Run Farm Horse Trials—has long been a beloved destination for riders across the Midwest, and this year, it’s gearing up for one of its most exciting seasons yet.
