Feb 04, 2019

USEA Horse of the Month: Eluca

By Claire Kelley - USEA Staff

Congratulations to Eluca, the February 2019 USEA Horse of the Month! Owned by Deirdre Stoker Vailancourt, Eluca is a 10-year-old KWPN gelding sired by Negro and out of Fabiola. On January 12, Eluca and Vailancourt finished with the lowest score of the first competition weekend of 2019. Finishing on their dressage score of a 23.6 in the Beginner Novice Rider division at the Stable View Aiken Opener Horse Trials made them one of the first winners of 2019!

About Eluca:

  • Barn Name: Luca
  • Favorite Treat: All treats but specifically mandarin oranges.
  • Introvert or Extrovert personality: Extrovert.
  • Favorite phase in eventing: Cross-country.
  • Extracurricular Activities (outside of eventing): Fox hunting, low adult jumpers, and trail riding.
  • Stats: 11 USEA starts with 6 top-two finishes and 4 wins.
  • Future Goals: Hoping to win Beginner Novice at the 2019 USEA AEC in Lexington, Kentucky.
  • What his mom says about him: “He has beautiful gaits lots of chrome and willingness to try most things I ask of him - making him easy to love and spoil! My trainers, Darrell and Melissa Vaughn at Vaughn Equestrian, imported him from Belgium in 2015 as an adult friendly dressage prospect. They encouraged me to buy him and with their tremendous help we have become consistently successful at several things. He also fox hunts, does low adult jumpers, and loves trail rides. Next, we will try hunter derbies. He is the quintessential Aiken horse!”
Photo courtesy of Deirdre Stoker Vailancourt.

About the USEA Horse of the Month

New in 2019, the USEA is recognizing an event horse each month on the USEA website and social media. The USEA Horse of the Month is determined based on statistics and event results and announced at the beginning of every month. The February Horse of the Month was selected based on the lowest score at the first event of 2019. Eluca, the 10-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Deirdre Stoker Valiancourt, finished on a score of 23.6 in the Beginner Novice Rider division at Stable View Aiken Opener Horse Trials, earning him the title of USEA Horse of the Month in February 2019!

Dec 27, 2024 Sponsor

Research In Action: Ice For Laminitis Just One Piece of A Complex Puzzle

When Debra Ladley first noticed her 18-year-old retired hunter gelding, Jack, was experiencing sudden lameness, she thought what most horse owners do; that there was a hoof abscess brewing.

Dec 26, 2024 Association News

The Best of 2024: USEA Edition

With 2025 just days away, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the top moments for the USEA across the 2024 season. Take a trip down memory lane with us and relive these high-performing moments from our online news, the USEA Podcast, and our Instagram account!

Dec 23, 2024 Education

Saddle Fit Simplified

Eventers who are new to the sport may feel a little overwhelmed by the often-misunderstood world of saddle fitting. Riders are often bombarded with information from peers online or self-described experts, putting them at risk of following bad advice related to equipment that impacts horse welfare perhaps more than any other piece of tack. Finding a qualified expert to answer these questions is crucial. Who better to turn to than both a qualified Master Saddle Fitter and a fourth-generation saddle designer to answer some of these questions?

Dec 22, 2024 USEA Foundation

Top Tips for Applying for a USEA Foundation Grant

Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!

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