What does eventing have to do with equality in our nation and the world? That is one of many questions answered and discussion points mentioned during the open forum led by Anastasia Curwood and Heather Gillette, the co-chairs of the USEA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and the co-founders of Strides for Equality Equestrians (SEE) at the 2021 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Together they delved into how Equestrians of Color are a vital part of our sport and how others can be their allies.
SEE's mission is simple: to create equitable opportunities for BIPOC equestrians and to build a more inclusive equestrian culture. They do so through the following efforts:
Watch the Making Strides for Equality and Growing the Sport Video below:
The USEA Foundation and SEE have developed a memorandum of understanding in order to facilitate fundraising for the initiative. Tax-deductible donations to the USEA Foundation for the SEE Fund can be made through the USEA Foundation website and selecting "Strides for Equality Equestrians" from the drop-down menu. Learn more about SEE at www.stridesforequality.org.
Thirty-five five-star horses presented today under sunny skies at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.
If all goes according to plan in the first part of the extended weekend, we will see 36 horses galloping across Derek di Grazia's CCI5*-L cross-country course at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (DK3DE). We partnered up with the team at CrossCountry App to bring you a preview of both the five-star and CCI4*-s tracks this year.
Lights, cameras, action! The first formal horse inspection (which some might informally refer to as "the jog") at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) takes place this afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. While this part of the event is a fan-favorite historically based on the impeccable turnout of the horses and the stylish and forward fashion choices of the riders (we are looking at you Boyd Martin in hopes that you bring back the American flag suit circa 2022), it serves a very important purpose: ensuring that each horse is fit, sound, and ready to compete at the five-star level.
There are so many things to love about the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and the opportunity to peruse the booths of so many amazing vendors is definitely one of them! Don’t forget to stop by the USEA booth, located just behind the Rolex Stadium next to the large Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event booth, to stock up on all of your favorite USEA apparel.