The United States Equestrian Federation announced on Wednesday, April 13 that Robert (Bobby) Costello has been appointed as the Interim Eventing Chef d’Equipe and Team Manager. Costello will serve in this role through September 30, 2022, which will include the World Championships in Pratoni, Italy.
Costello's achievements include winning team gold in the 2003 Pan American games aboard the Thoroughbred gelding Dalliance (by Son of Que) and placing 8th individually at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games aboard the Thoroughbred gelding Chevalier, who would also help Costello achieve top placings at the four and five-star level at Kentucky, Fair Hill International, and Burghley. He has since turned his attention to the development of his students, many of which have earned top placings at every FEI level, and has served as the chair of the USEF Active Athletes committee (2001-2008), USEF Eventing High-Performance committee (2009-2012), and USEF Eventing Selection Committee for Olympic, World, and Pan-American Games. He was presented with the Wofford Cup in 2004.
Upcoming Deadlines
2022 FEI Eventing World Championships applications due by April 15, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Click here for more info.
2022 USEF Young Rider Eventing Championship application/area declarations are due by May 1, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Click here for more info.
CHIO Aachen CCIO4*-S Nations Cup team applications due May 13, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Click here for more info.
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!
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
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.