USEA Medal Program, founded in 2009, aims to recognize riders who steadily work to hone their skills at the Beginner Novice through Preliminary levels. Medals won are a testament to a high level of proficiency achieved. These are awarded to a rider who finishes three horse trials at a particular level with a final score below a preset requirement (i.e. for a Novice Bronze medal you must finish on a score of a 50 or below). Each of the final scores must be earned at separate locations, and all scores counting toward the medal program must include zero cross-country jump penalties. Competitors must also have a current USEA Membership at the time that scores are achieved.
Members can compete at their own pace, and medals can be earned cumulatively as there are no time or year limitations. It is not solely based on a top placing, but how well one rode amongst the rest of the class, at a variety of venues. Competing at this caliber consistently is an impressive feat for any rider. Medal winner will receive a certificate and lapel pin.
Owners also receive acknowledgment, as the program recognizes the horse’s success separately from the rider. Horses must be registered as required for the level at which it is competing, including at least Limited Registration for Beginner Novice horses. If an application is filed, horses will receive recognition via a certificate mailed to the owner.
Completed applications should be mailed, faxed or emailed to the USEA office. If you have questions about the USEA Medal Program, please contact Michele at [email protected] or 703-779-9890.
Requirements for the USEA Medal Program:
Beginner Novice
o Bronze Medal - Must finish on a score of 50 or less three times - scores must be obtained at two different venues
o Silver Medal - Must finish on a score of 45 or less three times - scores must be obtained at three different venues
o Gold Medal - Must finish on a score of 35 or less three times - scores must be obtained at three different venues
Novice
o Bronze Medal - Must finish on a score of 45 or less three times - scores must be obtained at two different venues
o Silver Medal - Must finish on a score of 40 or less three times - scores must be obtained at three different venues
o Gold Medal - Must finish on a score of 35 or less three times - scores must be obtained at three different venues
Training
o Bronze Medal - Must finish on a score of 50 or less three times - scores must be obtained at three different venues
o Silver Medal - Must finish on a score of 45 or less three times - scores must be obtained at three different venues
o Gold Medal - Must finish on a score of 35 or less three times - scores must be obtained at three different venues
Preliminary
o Bronze Medal - Must finish on a score of 55 or less three times - scores must be obtained at three different venues
o Silver Medal - Must finish on a score of 45 or less three times - scores must be obtained at three different venues
o Gold Medal - Must finish on a score of 40 or less three times - scores must be obtained at three different venues
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.
With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.
The USEA office will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and will reopen again on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The USEA staff will return emails and phone calls when the office re-opens on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 or at their earliest convenience.
After the success of the first annual USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, members are not going to want to miss the second edition in 2025! Barry and Cyndy Olliff, owners of Stable View, and their team are gearing up for an even bigger and better event in the coming year. If you are a current or prospective member of the Intercollegiate Eventing Program or the Interscholastic Eventing League, be sure to block off the weekend of May 3-4, 2025 to attend these exciting Championships.