Jun 04, 2024

USEF Announces Defender U.S. Eventing Team for CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S

By USEF - Edited Press Release
James Alliston and Karma. USEA/Lindsay Berreth photo

Lexington, Ky.—June 4— The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the following athlete-and-horse combinations selected to represent the Defender U.S. Eventing Team at the CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S in Aachen, Germany, held from July 1-7, 2024. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Bobby Costello and Team Leader Gemma Stobbs.

The following combinations have been selected to represent the Defender U.S. Eventing Team and are listed in alphabetical order.


James Alliston (San Ramon, California) and Karma, a 10-year-old Oldenburg mare (Escudo II x Lavita) owned by Alliston Equestrian and Ric Plummer and cared for by Sophie Hulme.

Jennie Brannigan (West Grove, Pennsylvannia) and FE Lifestyle, a 14-year-old Deutches Sportferd gelding (Leo von Faelz x Bradenburger) owned by Nina & Timothy Gardner and cared for by Alexa Lapp and Isabel Turner.

Elisabeth Halliday (Lexington, Kentucky) and Miks Master C, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Flyinge Quite Easy 958) owned by Ocala Horse Properties and Deborah Palmer and cared for by Jordan Crabo.

Alyssa Phillips (Ft. Worth, Texas) and Oskar, a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Coriando x Marlo) owned by Julie & Alyssa Phillips and cared for by Addi Mommsen.

The following combination has been selected to compete as individuals.

Elisabeth Halliday (Lexington, Kentucky) and Shanroe Cooley, a 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Dallas x Condios) owned by Ocala Horse Properties and cared for by Jordan Crabo.

The following combinations have been selected as team alternates and are listed in ranked order.

Hallie Coon (Ocala, Florida.) and Cute Girl, a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare (Coventry x Clearway) owned by Hallie Coon & Helen Coon.

Emily Hamel (Aiken, South Carolina) and Corvett, a 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Corrido x Clearway) owned by Black Flag Option, LLC.

Competition Information

CHIO Aachen is one of the most prestigious multi-discipline events in the world, hosted annually in Aachen, Germany. The CCIO4*-S will begin with dressage on the morning of July 5 at 8:30 a.m. GMT+2, followed by stadium later in the afternoon in the main grass arena at 5:50 p.m. GMT+2. Cross-country will start at 10:00 a.m. GMT+2 on Saturday, July 6, to determine the final team standings.​

Tune in live on ClipMyHorse.TV/FEI.TV with a ClipMyHorse.TV Premium Membership. USEF Subscribers, Competing Members, and Fans receive a 10% discount on ClipMyHorse.TV Premium Memberships. Find out more information here.

Event Schedule | Website | Start Lists & Results

Jan 21, 2025 Young Event Horse

First Class of YEH New Judge Education Program Graduates Added to the YEH Judges List

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is proud to announce the first class of USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Judges have completed their certifications through the YEH New Judge Education Program, which was led by YEH faculty member, Marilyn Payne.

Jan 21, 2025 News

Now On Course: Patience Pays Off for Nazila Hejazi & Her 20-Year-Old Missouri Fox Trotter

Nazila Hejazi and her 20-year-old Missouri Fox Trotter mare, Tessa, may have made for an unconventional pair at the USEA Area VI Championships, held in October at Galway Downs (Temecula, California) but they didn’t let that hold them back. It’s uncommon to see a horse in their twenties still competing in eventing, and even more rare for a gaited horse to compete in a jumping sport.

Jan 20, 2025 News

Echoing the Dream: Small Acts of Kindness in Eventing

Today, we pause to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and reflect on the powerful moment in 1963 when he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared his vision for a better future. Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech was more than just words; it was a call to action that transcended time, culture, and boundaries—a beacon of hope that continues to inspire.

Jan 19, 2025

That “Forward” State of Mind

We’ve all been there—on the horse who pokes his way around the warm-up ring, needs leg, leg, leg coming into the combination, or brings up the rear on every trail ride. None of us wants each and every ride to be a lower-body squeezefest, nor do we wish to do anything with our crop except maybe wave it at that annoying deerfly. In this excerpt from his book The Sport Horse Problem Solver, former international eventer Eric Smiley explains the essential quality of forwardness and how to prepare the horse to expect you to look for it in all that you do together.

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