Feb 27, 2022

VIDEO: Preserving and Promoting the USEA Classic Series

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff
USEA/ Leslie Mintz photo

Lovers of the USEA Classic Series gathered together at the 2021 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention for an open forum, hosted by Waredaca’s Event Organizer and Chair of the USEA Classic Three-Day Task Force, Gretchen Butts. Butts opened up the session with a mission in mind: to facilitate an open conversation surrounding the long format and how to preserve its role as an educational competition and long-term goal for eventers across the country.

"I feel very, very passionate about it, its value, its importance to the camaraderie and development of the relationship of horse and rider together. It is something that has withstood itself through the years as being that type of experience," shared Butts.

Throughout the forum, many discussion points were brought forward regarding the continuation of the classic series and how to attract competitors to aim for a long format event as the pinnacle event of their competition calendar. Listen in to the entire open forum below.

About the USEA Classic Series

The USEA Classic Series keeps the spirit of the classic long ­format three­-day events alive for Beginner Novice through the Preliminary levels, now including the Modified level too. Competitors can experience the rush of endurance day, including roads and tracks, steeplechase, the vet box, and cross­-country, as well as participate in formal veterinary inspections and educational activities with experts on the ins and outs of competing in a long ­format three-­day event. Riders who compete in a USEA Classic Series event during the year will have the chance to win a variety of prizes at the events from USEA sponsors. Click here to learn more about the USEA Classic Series.

The USEA would like to thank Bates Saddles, FITS, SmartPak Equine, Parker Equine Insurance, and Stackhouse & Ellis Saddles for sponsoring the USEA Classic Series.

Apr 26, 2024 Eventing News

McEwen and JL Dublin Out In Front at Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L

With the Paris Olympics on the horizon this summer, riders from the top eventing nations are gunning for a coveted team spot, and British team selection is particularly tough due to a plethora of talent. Tom McEwen came to the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event to prove he’s on form with James and Joe Lambert and Deirdre Johnston’s JL Dublin, and he’s out in front after two days of dressage.

Apr 26, 2024 Competitions

K3DE Rider Talk: What Are They Saying About Cross-Country?

Derek di Grazia’s name is legend at the Kentucky Horse Park as the designer of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country course for over a decade, in addition to countless other influential tracks around the world. Now with the inclusion of the Cosequin CCI4*-S division, which runs alongside the famed five-star, riders at both the four- and five-star levels get to experience one of the iconic di Grazia Kentucky tracks while competing in the bluegrass. The USEA caught up with riders of both levels to get their feedback on this year’s courses.

Apr 26, 2024 Competitions

Bellissimo & Halliday Share the Spotlight in Cosequin CCI4*-S at Kentucky

Two riders will share the top spot on the leaderboard in the Cosequin CCI4*-S at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event upon the conclusion of dressage on Friday. Early in the morning, Great Britain’s Lucienne Bellissimo found herself launching up the scoreboard after a beautiful test with Dyri earned them a score of 26.0. While no other pair could top their performance, one team did match it perfectly near the end of the day– Liz Halliday (USA) and her 2023 Pan American Games silver medal mount Miks Master C.

Apr 26, 2024 Competitions

The 2024 K3DE Daily: Dressage Day 2

Who is ready for another day of dressage at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (DK3DE)? Just like yesterday's schedule, we will first see the CCI4*-S field compete this morning starting at 8:00 a.m. EST, followed by the CCI5*-L field at 1:00 p.m. EST.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner 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