During this downtime, the USEA members have submitted their favorite horse tricks to be featured on the USEA social media. The tricks have consisted of horse kisses and horse smiles, but one trick that stood out was the synchronized dancing done by Haley Geraci and Winston. Going into a month with no competitions on the calendar, the USEA nominated the dancing horse, Winston, as the USEA May Horse of the Month! Winston is a 13-year-old Morgan cross gelding ridden and owned by Geraci.
He loves to learn new tricks and his favorite treats are skittles and gummy bears – learn more about the May Horse of the Month from his dance partner.
About Winston
“He goes by Winston both at shows and in the barn.”
"Skittles and gummy bears!"
“He is a show jumping superstar. He turns on a dime and never touches a rail.”
“He hates other horses! I'd say he is an extrovert though. He loves to go on ‘field trips’ (shows and such) and he gets angry when we go without him!”
“He loves doing tricks! He gets very excited. I think he just likes to learn. He is very smart, so you have to keep him busy.”
“Once again, other horses. But also, I'd say he hates being groomed. He's all squirmy and gets irritated.”
“That was a process! I started by using the handle end of a dressage whip to yield his shoulder. The tough part was having him cross his left over his right. Once he did that, I incorporated a verbal command, "cross it over", while leaning towards his shoulder, and reinforcing the movement I wanted with the whip. From there on, it was repetition, then I added the verbal cue, "bring it back" to have him step back where he was to regain his balance. I'd say this one was one of the hardest tricks to get solid so far, besides laying him down. THAT was difficult!”
“He is 13 this May, and we have been together ever since he was 4 years old! I was 11 when we found each other. He and I worked up to the C-1 level in Pony Club and attended Pony Club Championships in 2017. He is 15.1 hands, and the highest we've jumped is 3 feet and 6 inches. We've competed up to Beginner Novice and have schooled Novice. He's such a fun ride for a Morgan cross, my heart horse forever.”
Miss any of the previous 2020 horses of the month? Find out about the USEA January Horse of the Month, USEA February Horse of the Month, USEA March Horse of the Month, and USEA April Horse of the Month.
About the USEA Horse of the Month
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 performant and event results and announced at the beginning of every month. The May Horse of the Month was selected based on the horse trick submissions from the USEA members.
United States Eventing Association (USEA) members at the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention were in for a treat on Friday as the U.S. Eventing Team was on hand to discuss their accomplishments this year at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
“Test the best without hurting the rest,” said show jumping course designer Chris Barnard as he and fellow designer Marc Donovan led a lively discussion for nearly 50 participants at the Show Jumping Seminar on the first day of the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention.
This afternoon, USEA President Louise “Lou” Leslie welcomed U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors members, USEA staff, and USEA Annual Meeting & Convention attendees to the first of two Board meetings which will take place during this year’s Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, with the teaser that 2024 is going to be full of initiatives for more opportunities to access the eventing experience, some of which attendees might get first wind of during this year’s gathering. The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention takes place Dec. 7-10 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel.
Welcome to the Show Me state and to Area IV USEA members! The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention kicks of tomorrow and features four full days of educational seminars, committee meetings, and social gatherings all with one aim—to bring the eventing community together to continue to improve upon and celebrate the sport that we all love. This year’s Convention takes place in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in downtown St. Louis from Dec. 7-10, and we have rounded up everything you need to know to make the most of your time in the heartland.