Penn Valley, CA - October 20, 2016 – “Right now, less than 25 cents per horse is being spent annually on equine medical research funding in the United States, and that’s a shame when you consider how much our horses mean to us,” said Michael Van Noy, DVM.
“I challenge equine organizations in all disciplines and breeds to add a $1 equine medical research donation to every test, class, course or start in your competitions. You will make a difference and your members will support you.”
Van Noy, founder of Auburn Laboratories, Inc., can say that based on personal experience. He, along with past USEA President Keven Baumgardner and USEA Board of Governors Member Katherine Cooper, helped to initiate the USEA Equine Medical Research Program, of which Cooper is now Chair.
“USEA is in its third year of raising nearly $50,000 annually for equine medical research through a simple $1 per start donation,” Van Noy explained.
“If other organizations – such as the United States Dressage Federation with 30,000 members or the United States Hunter Jumper Association with 40,000 members, for example – donated $1 for every dressage test ridden or course jumped, equine medical research funding could be hundreds of thousands of dollars stronger.”
USEA’s fundraising system is simple: a $1 donation is added to the start fee at each event and at year-end the sum of those $1 fees is donated to select organizations including the Morris Animal Foundation, a global leader in funding scientific studies that advance the health of horses, dogs, cats and wildlife. The USEA Equine Medical Research Committee selects the equine medical research projects to support with their funds, from recommendations made to them by Morris.
In 2015, the USEA had 43,617 starters, meaning USEA members helped raise $43,617 for equine medical research last year, and starter numbers have been steadily rising in the past three years, so it is hoped that this number continues to grow for 2016.
“There’s an incredible need for more equine medical research,” Van Noy contended. “What horse owner hasn’t used sophisticated diagnostic, therapeutic or preventive healthcare options made possible by ongoing equine medical research? And who hasn’t mourned the situations where medical solutions just aren’t available yet? For all that our horses do for us, and for all they mean to us, they deserve the best care we can give them, and the best way to advance equine medical care is through research.”
Sadly, funding for equine medical research is astonishingly small, reported Van Noy. “The funding bar is pretty low at less than 25 cents per horse per year. If every competitor donated a dollar each time they competed, what would that cost over the course of a year? One latte, or two?”
Given the substantial annual spending required to support a horse ($16,000 per year by United States Equestrian Federation’s Equestrian Magazine readers, for example, or 3,200 lattes) there’s reason for hope. Increasing equine medical research funds by donating the cost of a latte or two is clearly within the budget of most horse owners, and USEA has proven that members will support it.
“USEA’s successful fundraising model proves it can be done,” said Van Noy. “Now we need other equine organizations to step up to the challenge: USDF, USHJA, USA Reining and many more. If these organizations would add a $1equine medical research donation to every test, class or course in their competitions, imagine the difference that could make for everyone’s horses.”
For more information on how your organization can accept this challenge and make a difference, contact Michael Van Noy at 530-432-8157 or email [email protected].
We might still be recovering physically from the excitement of the 2025 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships, but mentally we keep playing the weekend over and over again in our heads. This is a weekend that many eventers and lovers of the sport all over the country (ourselves included) look forward to each year and this year was no exception. From teams getting to experience their first time ever at the championship to mascots swapping gear in a show of camaraderie, there were so many great moments that took place during this year's end-of-the-school-year event. Take a look at some of our favorite moments from the three day competition below!
As we gear up for the summer, the competition season isn’t slowing down and it’s time for one of the staple events on the international calendar in the U.S., the Tryon International Three-Day Event (Mill Spring, North Carolina). This event hosts one of five CCI4*-L events on the U.S. calendar, and this year there are 13 competitors in the field. Continue reading below for more interesting facts pertaining to the event that kicks off this Thursday, May 8.
The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is proud to announce the continued partnership with #WeRideTogether as an Official Educational Partner of the USEA. #WeRideTogether is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing safety and well-being in sports through safeguarding education and abuse prevention efforts.
The 2025 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships were an incredible success, ushering the programs forward as the first standalone championships knock on the door for 2026. The Intercollegiate and IEL Programs were merged for their year-end championships to ensure that the USEA’s junior and young adult members have a goal to continue to pursue their passion for eventing throughout their educational years and beyond, and the support the event has received in the last two years has been astounding.