Apr 07, 2011

USEA Member Story #31

Suzanne and Sugar. Photo courtesy of Connecticutphoto.

This is the 31st entry in the USEA’s Member Story Series. Help us reach our goal of over 300 stories – email your story to Leslie.

So, the USEA wants to know about me . . . my tag line here and in Facebook is I am an Amateur Owner. I work a full-time job and manage to ride five days a week I make mistakes, pick myself off the ground, dust the dirt from my shoulders and I try again. Life is good!

I was a true barn rat as a kid. No one in my family (immediate or otherwise) had any interest in horses, not one bit. My passion must have been inherited from my Irish ancestors, lost for just a couple of generations. So, at 11, I hunted horses down, did almost whatever anyone asked me to do for the pleasure of riding their horse. Looking back . . . at some barns, I was slave labor but I did get to ride!

I went to watch the Essex Horse Trials sometime in the mid 80's. Everything about it captivated me . . . the roads and tracks, the vet box, the cross-country course, the sweaty, elated competitors and their amazing horses. Now, that was a sport that I wanted to be involved in . . . elegant dressage, wild and free cross-country, and powerful show jumping. So the dream began.

A million years later, at age 44, I just happened to return to riding and the barn was primarily an Eventing barn. Dreams do come true.

Eventing, for me, is my football. I follow the upper levels like the most passionate football fan. I am lucky to keep my horse at a barn where the owner does the same. If we had the equivalent of baseball cards for the horse/rider pairs, I am sure that the two of us would collect and trade them.

I also follow my friends - those that compete here in Area I and my growing number of Eventing buddies on Facebook. We cheer for each other . . . Live Scoring rocks!

Who am I? My outerwear is a 50-year-old Insurance Consultant covering the heart of a 16-year-old horse crazed girl. (Luckily for me, I have the income of a 50-year-old 'cause horses are not cheap.) Giving back to this sport I love is important, I volunteer as often as I can and I make small donations to the Young Riders, USEA Foundation, Area I and to some Horse Trials. In order for Eventing to continue, we must do what we can to support its future.

My horse, Fame and Frolic (aka Sugar), is a 16.3H registered Oldenburg NA mare (by Hall of Fame/DWB out of Four Frolic/TB). I bought her from the breeder at age five. She was born and trained to be an Event Horse. As I learned this sport, she was competed by professionals through Preliminary and with me, Beginner Novice and Novice. We do everything - Foxhunting (first flight), Dressage, Hunter Paces, and I have been known to take her on vacation with me. For the last six years, we have made a perfectly imperfect team.

Dreams do come true. This year, as our season begins, I have some: Area I Novice Championships (Qualified), Area I Team Challenge, American Eventing Championships (Qualified), move up to Training and, then who knows? The possibilities are endless.

Want to learn more about Suzanne? Follow her on her blog at: http://confessionsofanaaer.blogspot.com/

Feb 13, 2025 Association News

Beware of Phishing Attempts and Other Types of Fraud

Please always remain vigilant when it comes to sending any personal communications via email or text. Every year we receive reports of members and leaders of our sport receiving phishing attempts both online and by phone. These are often communications disguised as being sent from USEA staff or other leaders. As the years go on, the phishing attempts appear to be more directed and tailored.

Feb 13, 2025 Eventing News

Weekend Quick Links: February 15-16

Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered!

Feb 13, 2025 Rules

Rule Refresher: Planning Your 2025 Season? Time for a Refresh!

As you sit down to map out your 2025 eventing season, it's important to consider your current qualifications and what qualifications you will need to meet in order to see your plans through! Now is a great time to refresh your knowledge on the USEF Rules for Eventing. Here are some rules you might want to brush up on!

Feb 12, 2025 Eventing News

Horse Illustrated Joins as “Media Partner of the USEA”

The USEA is thrilled to announce Horse Illustrated has joined the USEA as a media partner, as well as a contributing level sponsor of the 2025 USEA Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Eventing Championships, USEA Emerging Athletes U21 program, and the USEA Volunteer Incentive Program.

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