United States Eventing Association

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors met on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and Wednesday, Aug. 5, to review the Association's financial outlook, approve several committee recommendations, discuss the details surrounding USEF Lite, and address additional initiatives shaping the future of the sport.

Stability and Membership

Treasurer Jacob Fletcher reported that the USEA has made significant financial progress compared to the same point in 2025. Operating income more than doubled year-over-year to $384,000 as expenses decreased by 7.7%.

The Board also reviewed the organization's ongoing cost-saving initiatives, which have reduced expenses across several operational areas and are expected to generate more than $323,000 in annualized savings without impacting member services or benefits.

Although membership revenue remains below last year's levels, Fletcher noted that participation trends continue to improve. Total starters are down just 2.9% compared to approximately 8% at the same point in 2025, with the strongest growth occurring at the Starter, Beginner Novice, and international short-format levels.

In other news, the Board approved a motion requiring both horse and rider to hold USEA memberships at the Starter level beginning with the 2027 competition season.

Looking ahead, the Board confirmed that the next in-person meeting will take place during the 2026 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, Dec. 11–13, in the Washington, D.C., area, with the host hotel located in Arlington, Virginia. The Convention will also include the annual U.S. Eventing Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The Board also approved the concept of Boston, Massachusetts, as the host city for next year’s Annual Meeting & Convention and supported moving future Convention dates from December to January. Additional details will be announced once contracts have been finalized.

Committee/Task Force Reports and Initiatives

The Board approved dates for the inaugural USEA Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Eventing League Championships in the fall on the West Coast, which will be held Nov. 4–7, 2027, at Galway Downs in Temecula, California.

The USEA Strategic Communications Task Force presented a draft of a new USEA Code of Conduct to the Board for the first time during this meeting. The Code of Conduct is still undergoing edits and additions, but it will be finalized and available for member review in the coming months.

The Board also discussed adding the option for organizers offering the new USEA-recognized Intro level to choose between the current USEA Starter A dressage test (walk, trot, canter) and the USDF Introductory Test B (walk and trot only). The proposal was referred to the appropriate USEA committees for additional feedback before returning to the Executive Committee for final consideration. Should the proposal be approved, the USEA will communicate the change publicly.

Dr. Angie Yates, Chair of the Equine Medical Research Committee, updated the Board on USEA-funded research supported through the $1 contribution from every starter fee and additional restricted donations. Since the program began in 2014, more than $400,000 has been directed toward equine medical research, including more than $39,000 raised in 2025 alone.

This year, the Board approved funding for four research projects through the Morris Animal Foundation and Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, supporting studies on pain assessment, equine herpesvirus-1, cardiac performance, and gastric health in horses.

• The equine ethogram and cardiac telemetry for assessment of discomfort behaviors with epidural analgesia (via Morris Animal Foundation). Institution: University of Pennsylvania

• Understanding the chromatin regulation of lytic equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) gene expression (via Morris Animal Foundation). Institution: University of Saskatchewan

• ECG Findings And Performance In Thoroughbred Racehorses (via Grayson Jockey Club). Researcher: Sian Durward-Akhurst, University of Minnesota

• The Effect Of Feed On Gastric PH In The Exercising Horse (via Grayson Jockey Club). Researcher: Stephanie Bond, The University of Queensland

Upcoming USEF Lite Transition

USEA CEO Rob Burk and USEA President Molly Pellegrini updated the Board on the development of the new USEF Lite program. Burk explained that the USEF is discontinuing its USEF Endorsed status, the framework under which Beginner Novice through Training level eventing competitions are currently regulated. This endorsement has enabled the USEA to maintain consistent safety and horse welfare standards across all levels of the sport. With the Endorsed status coming to an end, the USEF will allow the USEA greater flexibility to develop and implement the Lite model in a way that best serves the Association, its members, and the sport of eventing.

While discussions with the USEF are still ongoing, Burk and Pellegrini said the goal is to reduce barriers to entry at the lower levels by simplifying regulations for organizers without compromising competition quality or safety. In the meantime, USEA Committees have been actively reviewing and providing feedback to the Board for their recommendations to the USEF regarding the Lite regulations.

The USEA will launch a comprehensive communication campaign in the coming weeks outlining the USEF Lite program and how it will impact USEA members. Members will also have the opportunity to submit feedback and questions through an online form, with answers to be provided in future communications by the USEA and USEF.