Nov 13, 2014

USET Foundation Awards Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to Kurt Martin

By USEF - Press Release

Gladstone, N.J. - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded the 2015 Amanda Warrington Grant to Eventing rider Kurt Martin of Middleburg, VA. The Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant is awarded through the USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund. Earlier this year, Martin and his talented mount Anna Bella took home the winning honors at the Fair Hill International CIC***.

The Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund was established by Amanda's family in her memory with the purpose of helping provide financial assistance to an event rider who has been identified as a rider with great talent and ability to represent the United States in the future.

The recipient is a person that will benefit from the opportunity of continuing their training with top coaches and competing against the world's best horse and rider combinations in Eventing, one of three Olympic equestrian disciplines.

"I am really excited to receive this grant because it's going to give me an opportunity to get my horses going better and me riding better so that we can hopefully start off the season really well," said Martin. "I am really thankful for the support, especially because I haven't had much support in the past. Hopefully, this will help me become more prepared for the next level of competition. "

As the recipient of the grant, Martin will receive up to $5,000 to help offset expenses associated with his training over the next year. "This grant is very important for someone that is in the position that I am in," express Martin. "I own my own horse that I campaign. To be able to focus on the best results and prepare for each competition is really helpful. I don't know any other way to do that right now, so it's a great opportunity to advance. Otherwise I wouldn't have it, so it means a lot."

Martin has worked hard building a partnership with the 8-year-old Holsteiner Mare Anna Bella. After winning the Fair Hill International CIC*** in the spring, they also placed sixth in the Jersey Fresh CCI*** and Richland Park Horse Trials, as well as completed the Fair Hill International CCI***.

"I feel like this year, Anna Bella has settled in and she trusts me," explained Martin. "There are three phases, and she can really change and do all three phases this year. I keep a consistent technique through all three phases and I think she trusts me more because of that. She is wonderful."

U.S. Eventing Chef d'Equipe David O'Conner has worked closely with Martin and recognizes his talent in the saddle. "Kurt is certainly a star for the future, a very good rider," he said. "He does this totally on his own, so this grant is going to make a difference in his life. There is no question that we always need to be looking at what is next, and that investment into the future is very important. I am a big believer in that. This type of recognition is great for somebody that needs to take the next step in their career."

Thanks to the Amanda Warrington Grant, Martin can focus on Anna Bella's training and preparing her for the right events to further her career, as Martin aims towards one day representing the United States on the international stage.

Jul 03, 2024 AEC

Two Months Until the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds

The countdown to the 2024 United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is getting shorter and the tentative schedule is officially set! For the second year in a row, the AEC returns to the iconic Kentucky Horse Park from August 27 through September 1 and will offer 26 divisions, including brand new Starter divisions and all levels of recognized evening up through the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final.

Jul 02, 2024 Educational Activities

USEA Educational Activity Highlight: Sherwood Forest Hunter Pace | Sherwood Oregon | July 13, 2024

What’s a Hunter Pace? The Sherwood Forest Equestrian Center's Hunter Pace is a cross-country-style course around Sherwood Forest over various natural obstacles/terrain. The course ends with a final treat for riders to take in stunning views of Mt. Hood with a loop through the old Far Hill Farms field. The beginning of the course will first start with a warm-up loop around show jumping obstacles in the outdoor ring at Sherwood Forest and then riders will continue directly onto the course. Sign up as a solo rider, pair, or team.

Jul 02, 2024 Profile

No Longer Dreaming: Claire Allen's Goal of Qualifying for USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship is Now Reality

Claire Allen remembers when she was 11 years old, having just made the switch from the hunter/jumper ring to three-day eventing. She told her new eventing trainer that her goal was to one day compete in the United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing Young Rider Championships.

Jul 01, 2024 Competitions

Alliston’s Busy Weekend, Braitling’s Reuniting with Five-Star Mount, & Kalkman’s Advanced Victory Highlight Twin Rivers Summer H.T.

As he was finishing tacking up his horse in preparation to navigate the cross-country course at the 2024 Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, James Alliston expressed concern about navigating the 101 Freeway. That’s because as soon as he crossed the finish line aboard Intermediate level winner Addyson (Ampere x Nickerbocker) at 10:38 a.m. on Saturday—his fifth cross-country round of the morning with three at Preliminary and two at Intermediate—the West Coast-based five-star rider had to drive 185 miles on the 101 Freeway from Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, to San Francisco International Airport to catch a 4:35 p.m. flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

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